Merkley aplaude la finalización de la norma sobre el tabaco de la FDA e insta a que se tomen medidas más rápidas sobre los cigarrillos electrónicos con sabor a dulces y frutas

WASHINGTON DC – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) tobacco deeming rule was finalized and will now go into effect:

“The tobacco regulation rule announced today by the FDA is a critical milestone for public health. But it doesn’t go nearly far enough to quickly address candy and fruit-flavor e-cigarettes – like ‘Gummy Bear’ or ‘Scooby Snacks’ — targeted at our children.

“La regla da pasos importantes al prohibir la venta de todos los productos de tabaco a niños menores de 18 años, exigir advertencias sanitarias y prohibir muestras gratuitas. También aplaudo el plan de la FDA de desarrollar una regla adicional para prohibir los saborizantes en los cigarros.

“The rule also requires all e-cigarettes to be approved by the FDA. While this approval process could eventually block the sale of candy and fruit-flavored e-cigarettes, the products can stay on the market for up to three years while manufacturers continue targeting our youth. 

“As a father and as a Senator, I urge the FDA to move quickly to get these insidious flavors off the market, and to end advertising aimed at our children.”