The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced a partnership with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the illegal sale and distribution of e-cigarettes in the United States. This joint effort, along with other partner agencies, will establish a federal multi-agency task force to address the issue. The task force will include agencies such as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Trade Commission.
The FDA and DOJ, along with their partner agencies, have pledged to utilize all available criminal and civil tools to combat the illegal distribution of e-cigarettes. This action comes in response to the growing concern of nicotine addiction among youth in the United States due to unauthorized e-cigarettes and vaping products.
The newly formed federal task force will focus on investigating and prosecuting new criminal, civil, seizure, and forfeiture actions related to illegal e-cigarettes. The FDA emphasized that any violations will result in felony convictions, significant criminal fines, civil monetary penalties, and seizures of illegal products.
Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA’s center for tobacco products, stressed the importance of a multi-pronged response to enforcement against illegal e-cigarettes. The goal is to protect Americans, especially children and adolescents, from the health risks associated with these products.
To date, the FDA has approved 23 tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products and devices that are lawfully sold in the United States. However, illegal e-cigarettes continue to enter the market, posing a threat to public health. According to the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey, about 2.1 million youths reported using e-cigarettes last year, with a significant percentage of high school and middle school students among them.
The FDA has issued over 1,100 warning letters to manufacturers, importers, and retailers for illegally selling and distributing unauthorized e-cigarettes and tobacco products. The agency is committed to addressing the dangers of youth using these products and continues to work towards eliminating illegal tobacco products from the market.
Concerns have been raised over flavored e-cigarettes, which appeal to young consumers. The American Lung Association has commended the efforts of the DOJ, FDA, and other agencies in combatting the illegal tobacco products that are particularly appealing to youth. Ongoing and coordinated enforcement is essential to remove these addictive products from the market.
In a letter to FDA chief Robert Califf, lawmakers urged action against the importation of illicit vape products from China. They highlighted the significant contribution of these products to underage vaping rates in the United States. The lawmakers emphasized the need for continued efforts to address the issue and protect young people from the harmful effects of flavored e-cigarettes. Please rewrite the following sentence:
“The cat is sleeping peacefully on the windowsill.”
“The feline is peacefully snoozing on the windowsill.”
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