This past January, we reported on a court ruling giving electronic cigarette makers, sellers and users a win in an ongoing dispute with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The issue at hand dealt with how e-cigarettes should be regulated.
On the one hand, the FDA maintained the devices should be regulated as drugs rather than tobacco products. According to research done by the agency, e-cigarettes contained toxins besides nicotine. Many of these toxins occur naturally in tobacco plants, which is where nicotine is derived from.
Classifying e-cigs as a ‘drug delivery device’ would dramatically curtail its availability many say and perhaps lead to an outright ban.
Many public health experts and independent researchers show e-cigarettes contain around the same level of toxins as popular stop-smoking aids like patches and gums.
Electronic cigarette manufacturers, retailers and users (a.k.a. ‘vapers’), including Modern Vapor, contend e-cigs only require some regulation to prevent their sale to minors. We have, and will always support sensible rules governing the sale and use of starter kits and e-cig accessories available here and elsewhere.
FDA’s Decision Not to Appeal D.C. Court of Appeals Ruling – What Does it Mean?
Basically, it means the FDA will have to regulate e-cigarettes much the same way they do traditional cigarettes. While the agency did not outline a timeline by which these rule changes would take place, this news is certainly very welcoming to many who use and enjoy e-cigarettes.
However, the agency did say that if e-cigs are marketed as a quit-smoking aid, they could regulate those individual devices under the much stricter drug delivery device rules. In its statement, the FDA says if e-cigs are “marketed for therapeutic purposes” (i.e. stop-smoking aid), they can impose much tighter regulation.
Some manufacturers and retailers of e-cigarettes do make the claim their products can help smokers quit.
While we’ve provided a short video on our blog about the topic, Modern Vapor doesn’t make these kinds of claims…and not only for legal reasons.
Keep in mind that states and localities around the U.S. are considering what many would consider draconian regulations.
But in the U.S. as a whole, those over 18 can legally buy e-cigarette starter kits and accessories. We invite you to experience an alternative smoking device that many have already found much enjoyment in. Join the growing numbers of ‘vapers’ out there who have made the switch!
Related Posts
- One Step Forward, One Step Back on E-Cigarette Regulations
- Prominent Doctor Criticizes FDA Position on Electronic Cigarettes
- Where Do Electronic Cigarettes Come From?
- National Vapers Club Members Claim Electronic Cigarettes Help them Quit Smoking
Tags: court rulings, e-cig regulation, FDA, legislation, research, smokeless electronic cigarettes, starter kits