

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

General Comment:There is no question that some individuals have been helped to quit using e-cigarettes. But there is little question
that for every individual who has been helped, there is more than one individual who has been enabled to
continue smoking. On top of that, new users are becoming addicted, almost all as youth, and there
is no question that some of them will go on to smoking cigarettes.

This is established beyond any serious debate by the science of the last two years. The question is not whether
we need more research, or more time. The question is whether FDA will act. The question is whether FDA will
do something effective about a new gateway to smoking, a new impediment to progress in tobacco control,
and a new profit center for the industry that spreads smoking.

I urge FDA to accept NO FURTHER DELAY.

I urge FDA to DENY the tobacco industry's request to extend the 75 day comment period for another 75 days.

I stand with the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association: "The idea that the industry, with all its resources, is somehow unable to formulate its position on these issues within the time period established in the proposed regulation is ludicrous."

Every day of delay is more kids getting addicted to nicotine. The industry has petitioned to extend the comment period by up to an additional 105 days, bringing the total comment period to 180 days.  Scientific analysis allows us to estimate that during the requested 105 day extension 26,000 MORE YOUTH will start experimenting with e-cigarettes and 8,000 MORE YOUTH will become established e-cigarette users.

I urge FDA to act NOW. 75 days of comment period is MORE THAN ENOUGH.

I urge FDA to do the following at a minimum:
 
    Apply the same restrictions on e-cigaarette advertising and promotion as apply to conventional cigarettes
    Ban the use of characterizing flavors in e-cigarettes
    Prohibit claims that e-cigarettes are effective smoking cessation aids until such time as there is convincing scientific evidence that such claims are true for e-cigarettes as they are actually used in the general population.
    Regulate e-cigarettes to set standards for product performance in order to minimize risks to users and bystanders
    Require childproofing of e-cigarette devices and refill solutions to prevent accidental pediatric poisoning.
    Regulations regarding e-cigarettes need to take into account the fact that, unlike conventional cigarettes and other tobacco products and medicinal nicotine replacement therapies, e-cigarettes can be altered by users to change the nicotine delivery and be used to deliver other drugs.

I thank you for your time.
