Action against youth access

The Global Vaping Standards Association (GVSA) says it approves of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) efforts to curb the recent uptick in youth vaping. The GVSA stated on Monday that it would support regulations limiting the sale of certain flavored e-liquids to vape shops and tobacconists.

GVSA members have agreed to remove their products from all U.S. retailers that have been identified by the FDA as habitual violators of its age-verification requirements. Maggie Gowen, executive director of the GVSA, said that reinforcing accountability is a “reasonable first step” in prohibiting youth use of vapor products to help protect the millions of former smokers who now vape instead of smoking cigarettes.

The unprecedented action comes in response to FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb’s recent statements calling the rise in the use of vapor products by youth an “epidemic.” The regulatory agency has stated that it will announce new regulations this week that ban the sale of all flavored e-liquids other than tobacco, menthol and mint from gas stations and convenience stores. The agency is also expected to require strict age-verification requirements for all online sales of vapor products.

“We know that smart regulations like this help to crack down on violators that hurt our industry and support the adult smokers who have seen the benefits of vaping and use the next-generation products as an alternative to smoking,” Gowen said. “That’s why we are coming out in full support of what the FDA has initially proposed. We believe the FDA’s action will be a positive benefit towards the future of the vapor industry.”

GVSA members are industry leaders that are all committed to advocating for adult vapers and their right to choose flavored e-liquids, while also following strict regulatory guidelines to keep vapor products out of the hands of youth, according to Gowen. “Studies have shown that flavored e-liquids are a crucial element to keeping former smokers from returning to smoking cigarettes,” she said. “However, limiting youth access is a necessary and positive move for the vapor industry as a whole.”