FDA Implements Added Efforts to Tackle e-Cigarette Use and Addiction by Kids
- By BSTQ Staff
With the rapid growth in the popularity of e-cigarettes among youth, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is making efforts as part of its Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan to ensure no tobacco products are marketed to, sold to or used by kids. In addition to launching public education campaigns to warn youth about the dangers of e-cigarette and other tobacco product use, FDA held a public hearing on the topic in January that provided a range of perspectives and new funding opportunities to support research on youth tobacco initiation, use and cessation. Another public scientific workshop was held May 15 to further discuss scientific understanding and treatment options for youth tobacco addiction and cessation, with a focus on e-cigarette cessation.
The May workshop, built on many of the scientific issues raised during the January public hearing, was intended to gather scientific information and stimulate discussion about the current science regarding youth tobacco use and addiction, as well as treatment strategies to support youth tobacco cessation. The workshop included presentations and panel discussions relating to the unique factors impacting youth tobacco use and addiction and the challenges associated with youth tobacco cessation. For example, discussion included the basic science of tobacco addiction in adolescents, the current state of behavioral and pharmacotherapy cessation strategies in adolescents, and the development of strategies to generate robust evidence to address youth tobacco cessation. According to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, FDA wants to explore how it can support the development of such therapies.
The most recent data show more than 3.6 million middle and high school students across the country were current (within the past 30 days) e-cigarette users in 2018 — a dramatic increase of 1.5 million students from the previous year. The data also showed youth who used e-cigarettes were using them more frequently, and they were using flavored e-cigarette products more often than in 2017.
References
Statement from FDA Commissioner ScottGottlieb, M.D., onNew Efforts to Advance Treatment Strategies for Helping Youth Addicted to NicotineasaResult of the EpidemicRiseinTeenUse ofe-Cigarettes.U. S. Food and Drug Administration press release, April 1, 2019. Accessed at www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ ucm634872.htm.
