Trump Move on flavored electronic cigarettes can hit adults who are trying to quit

The imminent ban on Trump administration flavored electronic cigarette sales is aimed at preventing children from becoming emancipated, but it could have unintended consequences for adults who use these products to quit smoking.

The Trump administration argues that flavors such as cherry and mint fuel a youth "vaping" "epidemic" and need to be taken off the market.

But experts say flavored vods have also helped some adults quit smoking, a leading cause of death in the United States.

"Many former smokers will start smoking again," said Dr. Michael Siegel, professor and expert on smoking control at Boston University.

"They have a nicotine addiction. If their products are removed from the market, most will not be able to leave the cold turkey. They will have no way to get their products, so they will start smoking again, "he added.

Tobacco-flavored electronic cigarettes can still be sold after the ban comes into effect, but the most popular flavors, such as menthol, mint and mango, will all be removed from the market.

Secretary of Health and Social Services Alex Azar said the new regulation would be published in "several weeks".

President TrumpDonald John TrumpThe Supreme Court supports Trump's immigration assistance Trump fails in trade policy Trump holds an appeal to Netanyahu to discuss a possible US-Israeli defense treaty MORE made the announcement this week, citing the rise in the youth vape rate and a series of vaping – related illnesses that killed six people and left hundreds sick. "We can not allow people to get sick. And our children can not be so affected, "he said.

This frustrates the experts who believe that the administration combines government-controlled e-cigarettes sold with illicit market-related illicit drugs.

Although federal health officials have said they have not identified a common product or cause behind the disease, most states report illicit trafficking in THC sold on the black market and may contain harmful ingredients in the event of an outbreak. Inhalation into the lungs, such as vitamin E.

"The ban on flavored electronic cigarettes will do nothing for these deaths," Siegel said.

When e-cigarettes arrived on the US market 12 years ago, they offered smokers a less harmful alternative to cigarettes, without the tar or toxic gases associated with burning tobacco.

Electronic cigarettes still contain nicotine, the addictive drug found in cigarettes, and the long-term effects of vaporization are still unknown.

Although debates have taken place on the effectiveness of vaping to help people quit smoking, experts say that it is almost certainly better to smoke than to smoke, which kills 480,000 people a year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

However, public health officials became alarmed when government investigations showed that teenagers were running out of steam at an accelerated pace.

About 28 percent of youth surveyed said they had recently used electronic cigarettes in 2019, according to preliminary data released this week by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The decision to ban flavors could reduce teenage vaping rates, experts say, but it could also mean that adults who abuse vape could start using more cigarettes.

"The availability of flavors and a wide variety of flavors are important for people who use electronic cigarettes to eliminate combustible cigarettes," said Lauren Pacek, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at the University of Toronto. Duke University.

A study published in the journal Substance Use & Misuse, co-authored by Pacek, revealed that 17% of both smokers and smokers reported that they would increase their consumption of regular cigarettes if the flavors were restricted to tobacco and with menthol.

"I think a flavor ban could deter teenagers from consuming, but there could be unintended consequences for other populations," said Pacek.

Raymond Niaura, a professor at New York University, a psychologist and specialist in tobacco dependence and treatment, said the evidence showed that aroma was an important factor for smokers who opt for the vape.

"Many people who want to quit do not want to remind them of the taste and smell of cigarettes," he said.

The ban on the sale of flavored electronic cigarettes may bring illicit versions to the black market, he said.

This could lead to more illnesses in addition to those related to THC fumes on the black market.

Critics also pointed to the irony of banning the sale of mint vaporizer perfumes while letting menthol cigarettes remain on the market.

The FDA proposed last year to ban menthol in cigarettes, but it is unclear if this will go ahead. A spokesman did not comment.

But anti-tobacco advocates who also want the FDA to ban menthol cigarettes, said it was not reason enough for the menthol vows to stay.

"The fact that the FDA has not banned menthol cigarettes should not be an excuse to leave menthol and menthol cigarettes on the market," said Vince Willmore, vice president of communications for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Children. .

"We need a complete ban on all flavored electronic cigarettes, including mint and menthol, as the evidence shows that these flavors are appreciated by young people and that if you leave flavors on the market, children will migrate there, "he added.

Azar acknowledged this week the "promise" that e-cigarettes offer to people trying to quit. But he said that tobacco-flavored electronic cigarettes could also be removed if children started to use them as well.

"There is a public health need for alternative nicotine delivery devices to be available to allow adults to get rid of combustible tobacco," said Azar, sitting next to Trump on Wednesday at the Oval Office.

"But with now 5 million children who regularly use e-cigarettes, we can not allow adults to take advantage of this to the detriment of our children," he added.