FDA’s Brian King claims the agency doesn’t have a defacto ban on flavored e-cigs. His slides tell a different story. FDA has already banned more than 99% of e-cigs. #ecigsummit
King says there’s more to come from FDA on enforcement by getting illicit vapes off the market. There’s a simple solution to this problem, FDA could just authorize e-cigs ppl actually want to use. #ecigsummit
Quite remarkable. America has for all intents and purposes achieved a smoke free generation #ecigsummit
Dr David Levy makes the point that when you have flavor bans on reduced risk nicotine products like e-cigs smoking rates go up #ecigsummit
Prof Peter Hajek presents data showing that smoking rates are declining faster in countries where e-cigs are legal. #ecigsummit
Final comments from Hajek, bottom line is that banning e-cigs is bad for public health.
Prof Abigail Friedman says there’s substantial evidence that making e-cigs more expensive increases smoking. #ecigsummit
Brand new study by Friedman and colleagues finds e-cig flavor bans increase cigarette sales. #ecigsummit
Friedman: “Policy makers need to ensure they’re not giving a competitive advantage to more lethal products.” Banning e-cig flavors is essentially a regulatory subsidy to cigarettes. #ecigsummit
FDA’s Kathleen Crosby says when FDA took responsibility of regulating e-cigs in 2016 the agency didn't really understand the science behind these products. Story still checks out. #ecigsummit
FDA recognizes there's massive public misperception around the risks of e-cigarettes and nicotine. What do they plan do about? Something. Later. 🤷♂️ #ecigsummit
Commenting on Friedman’s study showing vape flavor bans increase smoking FDA’s Benjamin Apelberg says it's compelling and that states banning flavors see “unintended consequences.” So FDA does recognize bans can increase smoking? #ecigsummit
Deborah Arnott on why risk perceptions on e-cigs are going the wrong way in the UK: “Our terrible tabloid press and a lot of the shit coming from America” #ecigsummit
Cliff Douglas, a veteran of tobacco control, calls out @NPR and @CNN for misrepresenting the science around vaping #ecigsummit
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Straight off the bat, Brian King does not give a straight answer as to whether it is unethical to inform the public that e-cigarettes are just as or more dangerous than combustible cigarettes.
On combatting misperceptions about e-cigs, King says he is aware of the problem and is in favor of better messaging on the relative risks of different tobacco products. Office of health communications is undertaking work in this area, and CTP is working to be more transparent.
King says work has been done on communicating accurately about the risks of different nicotine products, but it's a matter of prioritization.