September 12, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

OHA statement in response to FDA announcement to ban flavored e-cigarettes

On Wednesday the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a news release announcing that the agency plans to finalize a compliance policy that would clear the market of unauthorized flavored e-cigarette products. The science is clear. Flavors are a key component of youth use and initiation of tobacco products, which is a major public health concern in Oregon.

In 2018 and 2019 OHA submitted comments to the FDA on the following dockets urging the FDA to take action on flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes:

• Docket No. FDA-2017-N-6565 – Regulation of flavors, including menthol, in tobacco products (2018)
• Docket #: FDA-2019-D-0661-0001 – Modifications to Compliance Policy for Certain Deemed Tobacco Products: Draft Guidance for Industry (2019)

Tobacco remains sweet, cheap, and easy to get in Oregon, and is the leading cause of preventable death and disease, killing nearly 8,000 Oregonians each year. E-cigarettes are the most popular tobacco products used among Oregon youth, with 21 percent of Oregon 11th graders reporting e-cigarette use in 2018. These products are available in thousands of flavors with kid-friendly names and candy-like packaging.

In Oregon, two people have been connected to the ongoing national outbreak of vaping-related severe lung illness. In one case, the illness was fatal. OHA continues to work with CDC, FDA and local health departments to investigate each case. No specific brands of e-cigarettes, vaping devices or liquids have been conclusively linked to the illnesses at this time.

If you or someone you know is ready to quit smoking or vaping, free help is available from the following resources:

• 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669), http://www.quitnow.net/Oregon
• Español: 855-DEJELO-YA (855-335356-92), https://www.quitnow.net/oregonsp/
• http://www.thisisquitting.com/ (youth quit resource for vaping)