The U.S. House of Representatives questioned the FDA's e-cigarette regulatory strategy and demanded that large e-cigarette manufacturers be prioritized

The U.S. House of Representatives questioned the FDA's e-cigarette regulatory strategy and demanded that large e-cigarette manufacturers be prioritized

At a hearing on Tuesday, U.S. House of Representatives questioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory strategy and resource allocation for the e-cigarette industry, calling on the agency to focus its enforcement efforts on large e-cigarette manufacturers rather than small e-cigarette retailers. The head of the FDA's Tobacco Products Center said that resources are limited and it is difficult to enforce the law comprehensively.

According to MedPage Today on September 10, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee questioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) regulatory strategy and resource allocation for the e-cigarette industry at a hearing on Tuesday (10th), calling on the agency to focus its enforcement efforts on large e-cigarette manufacturers rather than small e-cigarette retailers. The head of the FDA's Tobacco Products Center said that resources are limited and it is difficult to enforce the law comprehensively.

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) pointed out at the hearing that the FDA seems to prefer enforcing the law against small e-cigarette stores rather than holding large e-cigarette manufacturers accountable. He emphasized that while e-cigarette stores should not sell illegal products, major manufacturers are the focus that should be hit. Ohio Republican Rep. Troy Balderson (R-Ohio) also expressed doubts about the FDA's enforcement priorities, noting that some of the punished e-cigarette shops were actually counted as manufacturers.

Dr. Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, responded:

The FDA has taken action throughout the supply chain and enforced all unauthorized entities, regardless of their size. But the FDA has limited resources for e-cigarette enforcement because the agency does not collect any e-cigarette user fees, and 90% of enforcement funds are used for e-cigarette regulation.

Committee members were skeptical of the FDA's request for increased funding. Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash) pointed out that although the FDA has received a lot of money for food and tobacco regulation, the agency still requested additional budgets without detailing the use of current resources. It is hoped that the FDA will use existing resources and powers more effectively to improve regulatory efficiency.