E-cigarettes in the United States

US - federal: The FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) is seeking nominations for two people to serve as voting members on the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC). Individuals may self-nominate or be put forward by any interested person or organisation. Nominations received on or before 25th November will be given first consideration. Nominations received after that date will be considered as later vacancies occur.

US - federal: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has sent out a new batch of warning letters to e-liquid manufacturers accused of offering for sale or distribution e-liquid products (listed in the letter) without a marketing authorisation order.

US - federal: Juul Labs has sued the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the agency’s refusal to disclose documents supporting its order banning the company from selling its e-cigarettes on the US market, Reuters reports. In a complaint filed yesterday in federal court, Juul says the FDA has withheld scientific evidence which would show whether it conducted a legally required balancing of the public health benefits and risks of its products.

US - Michigan: A number of bills were to be heard today in the Senate Committee on Regulatory Reform, including Senate Bill 572, SB 573, SB 574 and SB 575, all of which relate to the regulation of tobacco and vapour products. SB 572 would further tax consumable materials at 18% of the wholesale price if part of an open vapour system or $0.60 per ml if contained in a closed-system cartridge; alternative nicotine products would be taxed at $0.50 per oz on the basis of net weight of the product as listed by the manufacturer.

US - federal: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new warning letters to manufacturers and distributors of e-liquid products that are “new tobacco products” without the required FDA marketing authorisation.

US - New York: The state police have issued a statement on the status of Operation Vaporizer, which was launched in August, targeting sales of flavoured nicotine vapes to minors. Officers found several retailers in Herkimer and Oneida counties selling to under-21s, and charged several people with endangering the welfare of a child. The department added that further arrests were pending.

US - Alaska: The anti-taxation think tank Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) has applauded governor Mike Dunleavy’s decision to veto Senate Bill 45, which would have raised from 19 to 21 the legal age to purchase, sell, exchange or possess tobacco, nicotine-containing products, or e-cigarettes. The bill would also have levied a 35% tax on the wholesale price of all e-cigarette products. ATR’s director of consumer issues, Tim Andrews, said: “Rejecting the tax hike will also make it easier for those who currently smoke to achieve cessation using vapour products.”