Pallone Blasts House Appropriators for Exempting E-Cigarettes, Cigars and Hookah from FDA Regulation

Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) blasted House Republican Appropriators today for exempting e-cigarettes and other vapor products from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation. The measure was approved as part of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 appropriations bill that funds the FDA.

“I’m disappointed that House Republicans once again are working to erode the FDA’s ability to regulate tobacco products. Amendments passed today by the House Appropriations Committee would exempt currently marketed – but unregulated – tobacco products such as e-cigarettes, cigars, and hookah from FDA review. No tobacco product should be exempt from regulation, especially products that are currently putting the health of Americans in danger. No independent assessment has been completed determining that these products are safe to use, and we know that products like e-cigarettes are marketed in such a manner to be attractive to children. Allowing these products to stay on the market without any oversight or review by the FDA is undermining the authority given to the agency to oversee tobacco, and is a threat to our nation’s public health.”