As the new school year begins, Gil Kerlikowske emphasises the urgent need for the FDA to enhance its protection of U.S. children from illegal, disposable e-cigarettes. These products, primarily imported from China, are exploiting insufficient U.S. enforcement and have contributed to a dramatic increase in their use among high school students. Since 2019, there has been a 1,336% spike in disposable vape usage, with 90% of these products originating from China, where flavoured vapes are ironically banned.

Kerlikowske, a former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, stresses the bipartisan nature of this public health crisis. Alongside voices from previous administrations, he critiques the FDA’s response, highlighting the ease with which these products infiltrate schools, often disguised as everyday items. The public health implications are severe, as these vapes entice young users into nicotine addiction, undermining years of progress in reducing teen smoking.

To address this challenge, Kerlikowske calls on the Biden-Harris administration to lead decisive actions, urging for a robust regulatory framework to prevent these harmful products from reaching American youth. The administration’s efforts could play a crucial role in curbing the spread of nicotine addiction and safeguarding the health of today’s students.

Source: Spokesman.com