Senator Asks FDA to 'Rein In' Deferred E-Cig Regulation

The FDA should “permanently rein in” restrictions on cigars, electronic cigarettes, pipe tobacco and other tobacco products pending implementation, Senate Homeland Security Committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., told FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb in a May 17 letter (here). Johnson said the FDA’s recent delay of enforcement (see 1705120035) of the May 2016 rule is a “positive first step," but "more must be done.” Some estimates indicate that “costly and time-consuming” applications for federal approval to sell e-cigarette products under the rule could cost manufacturers more than $1 million to complete, Johnson said. “The rule threatens an emerging industry as well as former smokers who have switched to vaping.”