

Comment Info: =================

General Comment:Dear Mr. Zeller:

I am writing as an individual consumer to request an extension of the comment period for the Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") Proposed Rule Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Proposed Rule") published at 79 Fed. Reg. 23,142 and Federal Register No. 2014-09491. On behalf of myself, I am requesting that the comment period for the Proposed Rule be extended by the FDA for an additional 105 days, from its current 75-day period, to 180 days.

The Proposed Rule raises a number of significant issues and questions that are important and relevant to me, as a consumer of products that are proposed for regulation under the Proposed Rule. The Proposed Rule asks around a hundred different questions I might want to respond to. I want to provide my thoughts and comments on many of these issues, but my time to devote to researching and providing thoughtful insight on these important questions is limited. I have already spent many hours researching and dissecting these issues, but they take time. I know that the FDA took many years to even come up with the Proposed Rule, so I do not think it is at all unreasonable to allow the public a mere six months to comment on it. This is our only opportunity, as consumers, to provide our feedback. 

I feel very strongly about e-cigarettes as an alternative to combustible cigarettes. Quite simply, I firmly believe that they saved my life. I wish to provide you with my personal story. I realize that the FDA has the authority under 21 CFR 10.40 to extend this time frame and that the FDA has exercised this authority on numerous occasions in the past. I would therefore ask that you do so here, so that all stakeholders have the opportunity to provide their comments on this proposed regulation.
I began smoking at the age of fourteen. I had no issue getting cigarettes under age. I smoked casually for the first few years as most early smokers do. When I turned eighteen I began to smoke regularly. Within a few months I was smoking a pack a day or more. At the time I did not worry about the health effects or about quitting. I continued on smoking in this fashion for years and years. I attempted to quit numerous times as I witnessed my health deteriorating. I could no longer do some of the most simple things in life, such as climbing stairs, helping carry in groceries, or even playing with my young son without being winded and tired. I began to give up on quitting because I thought there was nothing available that could curb this wretched cycle. One day I was introduced to electronic cigarettes. At first I believed it to merely be a gimmick that could not possibly make a dent in my smoking routine. After finally being talking into purchasing one of these devices I was able to put the cigarettes away. After a few months I noticed my strength returning. I could now perform those daily tasks that had become so difficult without any discomfort. I had more energy than I had had in years. I could smell, taste, and enjoy life again. I have been using electronic cigarettes for two years now. I have lowered the nicotine level I use down to six milligrams. This life saving device has given me more life to live than I had thought possible while smoking. I have met a community of wonderful people who all share the same interest in not smoking. I see new people every day who are beginning their journey back to wellness. It is an amazing sight to see someone granted a new lease on life. I will stand behind electronic cigarettes, and all the good they do for those of us who have been stricken by the plague of cigarette usage. 

I appreciate your consideration of my request and am happy to discuss this issue with you further.

Thank you for your time,
Ryan Van Bergen

