FDA Policy/General

E-cig Users More Susceptible to Covid: Representative

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) says that science shows that e-cigarette users are much more likely to be diagnosed with Covid-19 and to experience symptoms. Krishnamoorthi discussed the finding in an 8/11 letter to FDA commissioner Stephen Hahn.

In the letter, the representative said he had presented the results of early studies to FDA during a 4/1 hearing on the youth vaping epidemic and had asked the agency then to clear the market of all e-cigarettes for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

FDA declined to act, he writes, citing the need for more evidence that vaping is a risk factor for contracting coronavirus.

“That failure to act cost us four months of harm to Americans that we cannot get back,” Krishnamoorthi says. “Today we have the evidence that FDA was waiting for, and it can no longer deny the danger e-cigarettes pose during the coronavirus.” The letter specifically cites a Stanford University study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The study reportedly shows that adolescent vapers aged 13 to 24 are five times more likely than non-vapers to be diagnosed with Covid-19.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi reiterates his call for FDA to clear the market of all e-cigarettes for the duration of the pandemic. “It is the only responsible path forward,” he says.

Krishnamoorthi asks FDA to confirm in writing by 8/18 whether it will temporarily clear the market of all e-cigarettes and, assuming it will, to provide a written description of its plan to do so.

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome