Trump's FDA followed the science on vaping. Politicians are furious
There is a built-in incentive for regulators like the Food and Drug Administration to be cautious. Saying no rarely begets significant backlash. Saying yes means owning every negative headline for the next decade or more. So when the FDA does say yes, it’s worth paying attention.
TL;DR
- FDA authorized new e-cigarette products based on data showing adult smokers switching from cigarettes.
- The authorization followed a congressional mandate to assess if products are appropriate for public health.
- Data confirmed lower exposure to harmful chemicals for adults who switched completely to vaping.
- Critics focus on youth vaping, but lack rebuttals to the FDA's scientific findings.
- E-cigarette use among middle and high school students has fallen to historic lows.
- The FDA's decision is argued to be good policy, supported by evidence, despite delays.
- There is a need for efficient review pathways to combat the black market of unauthorized vapes.