FDA under fire from Johnson and Hunter

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) sent a letter Monday to Vice President-elect Mike Pence concerning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s regulation of e-cigarettes.

Johnson and Hunter are raising concerns about the agency’s recent e-cigarette regulation, which could create undue burdens on small businesses and possibly lead to negative unintended health consequences. The lawmakers are hopeful that, under a new administration, these harmful regulations can be repealed.

Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Duncan Hunter
Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Duncan Hunter

 “We are hopeful that through both executive and legislative action, burdensome regulations imposed by the Obama administration will be re-examined and undone,” the lawmakers wrote. “The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s deeming regulation of e-cigarettes is an example of a burdensome rule that could eliminate an entire emerging industry.  The FDA’s rule threatens to crush the e-cigarette industry and potentially hurt the public’s health by making it harder for consumers to access products that serve as an alternative to smoking.”