FDA needs to enforce vaping, e-cigarette rules
We’ve made strides in Texas in preventing minors from using e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.
Texas House Bill 4758, known as the Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act, took effect in January. In September, Texas House Bill 114 took effect, mandating alternative school placement for students caught with vaping devices within 300 feet of school grounds.
Even so, more action is needed to safeguard young people from the allure of these harmful and addictive products. The use of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices among youths warrants sustained attention.
The Texas Health and Human Services reports that since 2014, e-cigarettes and vaping devices are the most commonly used tobacco products among youths, many of whom mistakenly assume they are safer than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes and vaping devices often contain nicotine, heavy metals and cancer-causing chemicals that put users at risk of negative health effects.
There has been progress addressing this issue at the national level. A study released in November from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration shows that, among high school students, use of any tobacco product in the past 30 days declined during 2022-2023 from 16.5% to 12.6%. This was driven by a 14.1% to 10.0% decline in e-cigarettes and vaping device use. Yet, this is still too high. The allure of flavored e-cigarettes and other vaping devices should not be underestimated. They come in enticing varieties that appeal directly to young people. As a community, we must confront this challenge head-on. At the federal level, the FDA has the power to make a difference.
It’s crucial for the FDA to enforce the rules the agency set years ago. It has the authority to eliminate these flavored ecigarettes and vaping devices from the shelves. We need the FDA to prioritize the well-being of our young people by actively enforcing regulations on flavored e-cigarettes and vaping devices. By removing these products from the market, the FDA can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people falling prey to the addictive nature of flavored e-cigarettes and vaping devices.
With more than 2.55 million middle school and high school students across the nation using e-cigarettes and vaping devices, this is about the health and future of our children. It’s about creating an environment where our children can thrive without being enticed by harmful and additive substances.
Let’s work together to educate our families and loved ones about the dangers e-cigarettes and vaping devices. Let’s urge the FDA to use its authority to safeguard our children and ensure a healthier, brighter future for the next generation.