8 replies to this topic

[Christopher]

FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: May 25, 2011
Media Inquiries: Jeffrey Ventura, 301-796-2807, jeffrey.ventura@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 877.CTP.1373

FDA takes action against illegal marketing of tobacco products

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it issued 11 warning letters last week to online retailers for illegally marketing tobacco products with misleading or unsubstantiated claims or descriptors indicating that they can be used to reduce harm or the risk of tobacco-related disease.

“There is no known safe tobacco product. It is illegal for tobacco companies or retailers, including internet sellers, to make unsubstantiated claims or statements that imply tobacco products reduce health risks,” said Lawrence R. Deyton, M.S.P.H., M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products. “FDA will pursue enforcement actions to protect the public health.”

The FDA cited the online retailers for a variety of illegal marketing claims that violate the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, including use of terms such as: “Light”; “Low”; “Mild”; “Less toxic”; or “Safer.”

These claims are not permitted unless a company has received an order from the FDA allowing it to market a product with these claims based on scientific evidence. The agency has issued no such orders to date.

In the past, some tobacco products were marketed with descriptors that indicated they were safer or had a modified risk. Those products were never proven to reduce health risk. Those deceptive marketing practices may actually have led to continued or increased tobacco use and harm to consumers who incorrectly thought they were using a product that might be less risky. This kind of marketing is now illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

In addition to these marketing violations, other cited violations included the illegal sale of flavored cigarettes.

The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products conducts routine monitoring and surveillance of tobacco product marketing, advertising and promotion to assess compliance with the law. The agency will consider additional sanctions for failure to correct the violations cited in warning letters, which may include civil money penalties, no-tobacco-sale orders, seizure, injunction and/or criminal prosecution.

Warning Letters: Click Here

[Basilray]

Has this surfaced as an immediate concern for any vendors?  I haven't heard anything...yet.

[Christopher]

I don't think so no. So long as vendors do not promote any health claims, this shouldn't be an issue. Though, I have a feeling this is a small step with some much larger steps to come.

[snubber]

They're just pissed that they got a smack on the pee-pee for their last actions and now they're trying to find new ways to stay in control.
I still find it hard for them to regulate something as a tobacco product when there isn't any tobacco in them?  And if that's the case...why wouldn't they be safer?

[Cheriepye]

I think I'm missing something. Electronic cigarettes don't have any tobacco.
Can someone tell me what I'm missing?  

Cherie

[Brian]

Cheriepye, on 30 May 2011 - 10:56 PM, said:

I think I'm missing something. Electronic cigarettes don't have any tobacco.
Can someone tell me what I'm missing?  

Cherie

Nicotine is still extracted from tobacco leaves.

[Cheriepye]

Brian, on 31 May 2011 - 03:50 PM, said:

Nicotine is still extracted from tobacco leaves.

What about the nicotine from tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant?

Cherie

[Brian]

Cheriepye, on 31 May 2011 - 04:42 PM, said:

What about the nicotine from tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant?

Cherie

Other than what you've mentioned in the past (I think it was you), I've not head of anyone extracting nicotine from any other source for the purpose of using the nicotine.  I could be wrong about that, but I'm sure most of the eliuqid we vape uses nicotine from tobacco leaves.

[snubber]

I understand that most nic comes from tobacco leaves, but isn't that like saying that because granulated sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets that sugar is a plant or root? Once something is processed shouldn't that change it's category?  Kinda nit-picky but just doesn't seem right.