The United States is politically divided over vape products, with Demo

Senate Democrats are ignoring local data and continuing to pressure the administration to “fight the youth vaping epidemic” — something that doesn’t even exist. On the other hand, Republicans are urging President Biden to speed up the PMTA approval process to make safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes available to consumers.

A group of left-leaning US senators focused on combating teen vaping are urging major convenience store chains to remove unauthorized vaping products from their shelves. Sadly, their efforts ignore growing data on both youth and adult e-cigarette use in the country, specifically the growing number of adults who are using vaping to quit smoking , as well as the declining rate of teen vaping.

In fact, teen vaping in states represented by the same lawmakers has declined , while adult rates have increased, highlighting the need to shift the focus toward reducing harms associated with adult smoking. The senators’ anti-vaping crusade fails to address the reality of declining teen vaping rates and hinders access to e-cigarettes for adults looking for smoke-free alternatives.

Republicans call on Biden to make new nicotine products available to adult smokers

Since the FDA began regulating vapes in 2016, only 23 vape products have been approved through the PMTA process, as opposed to thousands of combustible tobacco products that pose greater health risks.

In contrast, a group of nearly 70 House Republicans led by Rep. Richard Hudson urged President Joe Biden to speed up the approval process for smoke-free tobacco products through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), to provide more options for smokers who want to quit.

They stressed that the FDA’s delay in approving these products not only limits the choices available to smokers in the United States, but also contributes to the influx of illicit nicotine products from the black market, which often target young people. The letter highlighted the potential of smoke-free products to help smokers quit based on scientific research.

Since the FDA began regulating vapes in 2016, only 23 vape products have been approved through the PMTA process , while thousands remain in regulatory limbo. And despite more than 26 million applications since 2009, only 50 new nicotine products have been approved, with fewer than 10 currently on the market in the United States. Ironically, during the same period, the FDA has approved thousands of combustible tobacco products, despite the undeniable fact that cigarettes are worse than vapes. This disparity in product approvals is a travesty.

The lawmakers urged the administration to push the FDA to consider more effective smoke-free products based on established science. While acknowledging the risks of underage use, they stressed that restricting access to products that have been proven effective in smoking cessation is not a solution. The letter comes after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called for stronger regulation of products like Zyn nicotine pouches , prompting conservative lawmakers to debate their potential to improve public health.

Smokers in America need every choice they can get.

Rep. Hudson criticized the FDA for its slow approval of alternatives and reiterated the need to act quickly to give Americans more options. The Biden administration’s previous plans, including a ban on menthol cigarettes , have faced criticism over concerns about illegal sales and inconsistent enforcement. At least 58 lawmakers signed the letter, co-led by Reps. Brett Guthrie and Morgan Griffith.

Studies have consistently shown that vaping products tend to avoid combustion, providing a safer alternative to smoking, endorsed by many Western countries and major health groups. While harsh federal regulations and anti-vaping advocacy risk increasing cigarette sales, it is time for policymakers to prioritize harm reduction and support for adults in their efforts to quit smoking, rather than continuing efforts to restrict access to products that have the potential to improve health.

The US Remains Politically Divided on Vape Products, With Democrats And Republicans Pushing in Different Directions - Vape Post