CASAA - FDA's New Vision for Nicotine and Tobacco Regulation is an Important Step Forward for Public Health

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 28, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning's announcement from FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb regarding changes in the agency's approach to regulating nicotine and tobacco is a positive step forward in preserving consumer access to low-risk vapor products. Most importantly, the forthcoming guidance from the FDA will play a vital role in reducing harm for millions of Americans who continue to smoke and would benefit from honest information about low-risk alternatives to combustible tobacco.

"Delaying the deadline for pre-market tobacco applications from vapor product manufacturers is an important first-step." Alex Clark, CASAA's CEO said. "CASAA and our membership have been asking for this delay since March as it allows science, genuine public health, and consumer needs – rather than ideology – to contribute to developing reasonable and achievable regulation of low-risk nicotine products. Too much of the current legislative and regulatory efforts are born out of fear and misinformation. As a result, policymakers and regulators are losing sight of the most important goal – reducing the harm from traditional combustible tobacco products."

The FDA's announcement marks the beginning of a constructive national conversation about tobacco harm reduction. Commissioner Gottlieb highlighted the need for supporters of low-risk nicotine products and public health activists to find common ground. Certainly, this common ground will be necessary as the debate over the role of flavored nicotine products moves forward.

The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) is a non-profit 501(c)4 organization with an all-volunteer board and a grassroots membership of more than 200,000 active members from all walks of life. CASAA is dedicated to ensuring the availability of reduced harm alternatives to smoking and to providing smokers and the public with honest information about those products. CASAA will continue its efforts in advocating for more reasonable, ethical, and sensible regulations.

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SOURCE Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association