Dear Mr. President-elect Trump,
I would like to inform you of a great injustice to the American people and small business.
I speak of the FDA regulations concerning Vaping and E-cigarettes. As you may know the FDA
has been given the power to regulate tobacco products, however, the FDA has deemed E-liquid
and the vaporizing equipment (E-cigarette) a tobacco product. Though the action of Vaping
in appearance is similar to smoking, the E-cigarette vaporizes a benign liquid rather than
combusting a chemical laden leafy material as with smoking tobacco.
E-cigarettes have become the absolute most effective means to give up tobacco products and
there are already millions worldwide that have given up smoking thanks to the E-cigarette.
I for one smoked for 47 years and averaged 2 packs per day. On November 8, 2016, that’s
right, Election Day, I celebrated 3 years smoke free. In the past I tried every method
available including nicotine gum, nicotine patch, prescribed drugs, and even hypnosis with
no success. The E-cigarette was the answer to my prayers.
I spoke of a great injustice to the people, please allow me to elaborate. It is the opinion
of the Vaping Community that the FDA has written regulation which will slowly eliminate all
competition and hand over the E-cigarette industry to Big Tobacco and Big Pharma. Let’s explore
why this is. In the regulations regarding Ecigarettes the FDA has given a pass to Big Tobacco
by setting a year 2007 predicate date exempting E-cigarettes in the marketplace on and before
2007. What this means is that any and all Vapor Products developed after 2007 are subject to
submitting a Pre Market Tobacco Application to the FDA for approval. This process includes
both the devices used to vaporize the liquid, and, all liquids used in the E-cigarette. I
now ask why if the E-cigarettes prior to 2007 which uses the same methods, battery, wire coil
element to heat liquid, and liquid containing nicotine, are allowed a pass and vapor products
developed after 2007 are required costly measures to stay on the market. It is estimated that
a Pre Market Tobacco Application (PMTA) will cost over $1 million per application. The FDA
considers every Eliquid flavor and every Eliquid nicotine value a different product and
therefore a separate PMTA will need to be applied for. All equipment used to vaporize these
Eliquids will also require a PMTA approval to remain in the marketplace. The device used
to vaporize Eliquid is often used with Eliquids that contain no nicotine yet FDA regulations
also consider any liquid put into said device BECOMES a tobacco product. Seems the FDA
has covered all bases claiming a product that uses no tobacco or byproduct of tobacco is
still considered a tobacco product and subject to PMTA applications should they be used in
a vaporizer.
Let’s examine the reasons for such harsh regulations on E-cigarettes. It’s a known fact that
the federal government and state governments all collect taxes from the sales of tobacco
products. We of course know that Big Tobacco benefits from the sales of tobacco. Also we must
consider that Big Pharma benefits from the sales of tobacco being they profit from the sale
of smoking cessation products plus the sales of drugs in the treatment of smoking related
disease. Here are the Special Interest Groups which the FDA have created overbearing
regulation which only serve to protect the profits of these Special Interest Groups. The
Vapor Industry is saving lives. Millions have quit smoking while using Vapor products. By
forcing those in the Vapor Industry out of business the FDA condemns yet another generation
to a slow and painful death. The pain does not stop here. Thousands of small businesses
and the jobs they have created will be gone. All for the revenue of a select few.
The FDA says the regulations were made to protect minors yet many states have already passed
law banning the sale of Vapor Products to minors, including Childproof Caps, and, accurate
labeling of product. This type of law is fair and a must however the current FDA regulations
pertaining to E-cigarettes is detrimental to small business, jobs, and the health of many
of the American people who could have been saved using these life saving devices. Please be
aware the UK Ministry of Health considers Vaping at least 95% safer than smoking cigarettes.
Mr. Trump, you speak of defending the people and small business from the threat of Special
Interest Groups so I ask you today to help the Vaping Community since the FDA regulations
benefit only Special Interest Groups. Anyone can see the FDA regulations were written only
to protect profits of a select few while negating the health of the American people. Sir, we
ask that you follow through on your promise to fight the wrongs of government and their
protection of Special Interest Groups. We ask you sir, Make America Great Again.
GUYS, GALS, this is a personal letter from myself I plan to send to Trump. Please look it over
for me for spelling and your comments are welcome as well. Thanks…