Internists Encouraged by FDA’s Move to Better Regulate Tobacco Products

Attributable to:
Wayne J. Riley, MD, MPH, MBA, MACP
President, American College of Physicians (ACP)

(Washington, May 5, 2016)—The American College of Physicians is extremely pleased that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule and will be extending their regulatory authority to include all forms of tobacco products, which will help improve public health and restrict the sale of tobacco products to minors.  As ACP stated in its 2015 policy paper, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, access and use of these products has exploded in the last few years in the U.S. and abroad.  ACP has been concerned that without sufficient regulations young people can easily access these products.  There are also concerns about quality control in the nicotine yields of products and in the accuracy of product labels.  ACP supports the FDA extending regulations to all forms of tobacco products which pose a major public health threat now and to the health of future generations.  Looking beyond today’s rule, ACP believes the FDA should take further swift action to prohibit flavored tobacco products that are particularly appealing to young people.

Contact: Jacquelyn Blaser, jblaser@acponline.org, 202-261-4572