AAP Statement on FDA's Failure to Take Meaningful Action on E-Cigarettes

By: Lee Savio Beers, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

“By today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was required to take action on e-cigarettes, but the agency failed to meaningfully do so. Children and teens will suffer the consequence of FDA’s inaction.

“Despite publicly committing to prioritize action against the largest companies that sell e-cigarettes, the result of the agency’s inaction means that the most widely used flavored e-cigarette products—such as JUUL—will remain on the market, where they will continue to addict children and teens. Flavored JUUL products, and other products like them, are responsible for fueling a youth nicotine epidemic. But today, FDA essentially gave them a pass for an indefinite amount of time.

“Even though products like JUUL are technically being marketed illegally, FDA signaled that it will not take imminent action to remove them. This is a reckless decision that will allow products proven to addict and endanger young people to continue being sold.

“The AAP, along with our public health partners, will be looking closely at our legal options to compel FDA to do the right thing and once and for all get dangerous e-cigarette products off the market. We must do everything we can to protect young people from nicotine addiction. We have not a moment more to waste when it comes to keeping children and teens safe."

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds.