Washington, D.C. -Today, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, issued this statement following the Trump Administration’s long-awaited guidance on e-cigarette flavors:
“Today, President Trump broke his promise to protect young people from e-cigarette addiction.
“Three months ago, the Administration promised to clear the market of all e-cigarette flavors, including menthol. That laudable plan would have meaningfully addressed our country’s soaring youth e-cigarette epidemic, because flavors get kids hooked on nicotine. President Trump betrayed his promise, and instead issued a watered-down guidance with carveouts so wide that they swallow the rule and render it ineffective.
“Exempting open tank systems - those that users fill with e-liquids themselves - ensures continued access to an unbounded variety of the most kid-friendly flavors. And specifically exempting menthol is inexcusable, as it is one of the most popular flavors sold, particularly among youth.
“In September, Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control, testified before my Subcommittee that for the flavor ban guidance to be effective, mint and menthol had to be included. I am deeply disappointed that President Trump ignored the advice of medical experts and is allowing menthol-flavored nicotine vaping products to remain on the market and available to children.
“President Trump has once again shown that he is unwilling or unable to follow through on promises to confront the youth vaping epidemic, even when it means jeopardizing the health and well-being of our youngest Americans. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, I will continue to fight for solutions to stem this crisis, because our children deserve nothing less."
