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“The Chinese e-cigarette giant behind Elf Bar is flooding the United States with illegal e-cigarettes.” That’s the headline of an alarming Reuters report revealing the extent of the addiction to illegal disposable e-cigarettes flavored to appeal to young people.
The Biden-Harris administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are working to stop these dangerous products from entering our country, remove them from store shelves, and keep them away from vulnerable children and teens. , we need to make more efforts.
According to the latest National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), use of disposable e-cigarettes by high school-age children in the United States has increased by an incredible 1,336% since 2019. Most of these products (about 90%) are made in China. Banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes within its borders.
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When I served as the nation’s drug czar during the Obama administration, we were able to celebrate the decline in teen smoking. Cigarette use among youth continues to decline, dropping by 85.2% since 2011, but much of that progress has been reversed by increased use of illicit flavored disposable e-cigarettes.
At a Massachusetts school, a high school principal is displaying e-cigarettes confiscated from students in bathrooms and hallways. Schools across the country are installing sensors and cameras to crack down on student vaping. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
In fact, more than 60% of youth who currently use e-cigarettes also report using disposable cigarettes, according to the NYTS, which is one of the highest rates of youth e-cigarette use by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the highest percentage since measurements began.
One reason more children are using illegal disposable e-cigarettes is the candy flavor, which is designed to target young people. Popular with American middle and high school students, Elf Bar comes in a dizzying array of flavors, including “Miami Mint,” “Strawberry Kiwi,” and “Beach Day.” (The taste seems more like coconut rum than salt water or sand.)
Another reason American youth are drawn to illegal disposable e-cigarettes is that they are easy to hide from parents, teachers, coaches, and other adults. Unscrupulous manufacturers are now producing disposable e-cigarettes designed to look like toys, water bottles, and everyday school supplies. With colorful highlighters and indistinguishable products, there is no doubt that the target market is young people.
School districts across the country are devoting time and resources to curbing their use, even warning that some of these illegal e-cigarettes may contain deadly substances such as fentanyl. .
As an alumnus of the Obama-Biden administration, it pains me to say that the FDA has not done enough to protect American children from Chinese importers. But the truth is that the federal government’s soft enforcement is allowing Chinese companies to enter the market.
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According to Reuters, the FDA has had “little success in reducing flavored e-cigarettes” from overseas. The report found that China-based manufacturers like Elf Bar “manufactured millions of e-cigarettes in the United States without obtaining FDA approval for their products, which is required for domestic and international e-cigarette suppliers.” It’s on sale,” he said.
The FDA has sought fines against a small number of manufacturers and retailers, but that is clearly not enough. “The FDA is moving at a tremendous pace, and the industry knows that and is taking advantage of that,” said Dr. Robert Jackler of Stanford University. These companies may even change their names to avoid federal enforcement.
According to the latest National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), use of disposable e-cigarettes by high school-age children in the United States has increased by an incredible 1,336% since 2019. Most of these products (about 90%) are made in China. Banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes within its borders.
In the absence of federal government action, states are taking action. As reports highlight that Florida ranks first in the nation for illegal e-cigarette sales, the Florida Legislature requires e-cigarette manufacturers to register with the state to ensure their products comply with federal and state laws. We have submitted an important bill to confirm this and claim compensation for damages. Fines for violations.
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It is essential to pass S. 1006/H. Laws have been enacted to prevent illegal Chinese-made disposable e-cigarettes from being stocked in stores and available to young people.
But this problem is not one that states can solve on their own. FDA must play a role in enforcing the law and empowering state and local agencies to do the same. As a nation, we must be more determined to protect our youth than China is willing to profit from our addiction to illegal, disposable flavored e-cigarettes.
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