Strong language: Gottlieb upgrades youth use from ‘epidemic’ to ‘tragedy’

The language used by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner Scott Gottlieb to describe youth vaping is getting stronger. What he formerly called an “epidemic” has become a “tragedy” in his first statement on the issue since Altria announced they would stop selling e-cigarette pods and many flavours.

Gottlieb today described as “constructive” recent meetings with Juul Labs, Altria, Reynolds American, Fontem Ventures and Japan Tobacco International. The meetings followed letters sent by the FDA on 12th October to 21 manufacturers and importers requesting information on more than 40 products.

The commissioner said the company’s proposals were “thoughtful”. And he added: “We’re committed to announcing a new action plan by mid-November that will set forth a series of new, forceful steps to firmly confront and reverse the youth addiction trends that are at epidemic levels.”