The surge in e-cigarette use among American youth is a public health crisis that demands immediate action. Despite regulations intended to curb access, flavored vapes—specifically designed to entice young users—remain widely available, posing a serious threat to the health of our children. Congress and the FDA must enforce existing rules to put an end to this epidemic.
Flavored e-cigarettes were banned in 2020, yet they are still easily found in stores. Products with flavors like cotton candy and mango continue to attract young users. The FDA’s failure to enforce its prohibition effectively has allowed these dangerous products to reach our youth unchecked.
According to the CDC’s National Youth Tobacco Survey, over 2.5 million American youth used e-cigarettes in 2022, including 14.1% of high school students and 3.3% of middle school students. Even more concerning, 85% of these young users prefer flavored products, highlighting the direct appeal of these vapes to children.
Since 2019, there has been a staggering 2,188% increase in disposable vaping product use among young people, driven largely by flavored vapes. This isn’t just a trend—it’s a growing public health crisis that requires immediate intervention.
The consequences are severe. Vaping has been linked to serious lung damage, with cases of E-cigarette or Vaping-use Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) leading to hospitalizations and even deaths. Nicotine, a primary component in most e-cigarettes, poses a significant risk to adolescent brain development. During adolescence, the brain undergoes crucial growth, and nicotine exposure during this time can cause long-term cognitive impairments, affecting memory, attention, and learning. Moreover, nicotine addiction is a well-established gateway to more dangerous drug use, putting young users at risk for a lifetime of addiction.
To address this crisis, Congress must hold the FDA accountable for enforcing its existing rules. The FDA has the authority to remove illegal products from the market but has failed to do so effectively. Whether due to industry pressure, lack of resources, or bureaucratic inertia, the result has been the same: flavored vapes continue to be accessible, and our children are at risk.
Congress should demand that the FDA use the full weight of the law to enforce these regulations. This means taking decisive action to remove illegal products from shelves and prioritizing investigations into companies that flout the law by marketing their products under misleading labels or selling them online.
We need a nationwide crackdown on the sale of these products to minors. Despite age restrictions, underage sales continue to be a significant issue, particularly online, where age verification can be easily bypassed. Stricter controls and penalties for sellers who break the law are essential to limiting youth access to these dangerous products.
In conclusion, flavored vapes are endangering the health of our youth, and the FDA has the tools to stop it. Congress must ensure these tools are used effectively. The health and future of millions of American children are at stake, and we cannot afford to wait any longer. The time for action is now.
Dr. Robin Armstrong, M.D. is the CEO of the Armstrong Medical Group, Galveston County Commissioner for Precinct 4, and the Republican National Committee for the State of Texas.