Washington D.C. -On Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, will hold a hearing to examine the recent outbreak of lung illness associated with using e-cigarette products and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) urgent warning not to use e-cigarettes.
WHERE: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building
WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019
TIME: 10:00 a.m. EST
PURPOSE
The hearing will examine the outbreak of lung illness associated with using e-cigarette products; the causes of the outbreak; the CDC and state health officials warning against the use of e-cigarettes; and CDC reports that youth use of e-cigarettes has risen again.
As of Sept. 11, 2019, CDC has identified 380 cases of lung illness associated with the use of e-cigarette products in 36 states and 1 U.S. territory. The outbreak has resulted in at least six deaths in California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, and Oregon.
CDC, state health departments, and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating the multistate outbreak. The investigation has not identified a cause and has not identified any specific substance or e-cigarette product that is linked to all cases.
Although various e-cigarette manufacturers such as JUUL have marketed their products as safe, the CDC warned the public to “consider not using e-cigarette products." The statement applies to all e-cigarette products, as CDC is unable to rule any out as a cause of lung illness.
Aside from the recent lung illness outbreak, the long-term health effects of continued e-cigarette use remain unknown as the scientific community continues to study the health hazard posed by e-cigarettes.
WITNESSES
Dr. Anne Schuchat
Principal Deputy Secretary
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Additional witnesses TBD
BACKGROUND ON THE SUBCOMMITTEE’S INVESTIGATION
* June 7, 2019: Chairman Krishnamoorthi launched an investigation into the role JUUL Labs, Inc. played in the youth e-cigarette epidemic.
* July 24 and 25, 2019: The Subcommittee held two days of hearings examining JUUL’s role in the youth e-cigarette epidemic, uncovering significant new evidence of wrongdoing by JUUL.
* July 25, 2019: Chairman Krishnamoorthi released a supplemental memo based on information gathered thus far in the Subcommittee’s investigation.
* September 5, 2019: Chairman Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the Acting Commissioner to evaluate statements made by JUUL representatives and to take all appropriate enforcement action.
* September 9, 2019: The FDA issued a warning to JUUL Labs, Inc. declaring it in violation of the law as a result of Chairman Krishnamoorthi’s letter.
* Sept. 11, 2019: The Trump Administration announced its plan to ban flavored e-cigarettes following information unveiled by the Subcommittee’s investigation.
* Sept. 18, 2019: Chairman Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to JUUL Labs, Inc. regarding the company’s failure to produce documents requested by the Subcommittee and warning that further noncompliance could result in the issuance of a subpoena.
