Catching Vapors: The Proposed FDA Rule that Seeks to Regulate E-Cigarettes
Thurgood Marshall Law Review Online, Vol. 41, Fall 2015, Forthcoming
32 Pages Posted: 11 Apr 2015
Date Written: January 13, 2015
Abstract
Electronic cigarettes have been hailed as a saving grace by a growing number of smokers because the devices are believed by many to be a healthier alternative to cigars and cigarettes. Despite the operatic call of smokers seeking solace, the FDA is taking a much more calculated approach. Before recognizing electronic cigarettes as a “safer” alternative to cigarettes, the FDA wants to find conclusive evidence of their safety for human consumption. Further, the FDA recognizes that even if electronic cigarettes are found to be safer than conventional cigarettes, that does not conclusively mean that electronic cigarettes are “safe.” Given the lack of scientific evidence supporting the safety of e-cigarettes, the FDA looks to effectively regulate their sale and continue to investigate their health effects before the ballooning vapor industry gains more steam.
Keywords: e-cigarette, electronic cigarette, tobacco, smoking, FDA, regulation, vaping, vape, vapor, smoke
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