The R Street Institute staunchly opposes the president’s announcement that the administration will pursue a ban on flavored e-cigarettes.

R Street’s Director of Harm Reduction Policy, Carrie Wade added, “A flavor ban aimed to curb youth use of e-cigarettes should be considered counter to the goals of public health. For smokers looking to switch to safer alternatives, non-tobacco flavors have been shown to be integral in the process of moving away from combustible cigarettes. A ban may deter smokers from even trying to quit. Before acting rashly, the burden of proof should be on the FDA to show that this intervention will reduce rather than increase harms–and that banning flavors will not lead to increased combustible use.”

Rather than ban flavored e-cigarettes, which are instrumental in helping smokers move away from combustible cigarettes, R Street urges Congress to establish a 21-to-purchase federal standard.

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