Mixed Feelings at PMTA Anniversary

Representatives of the U.S. vapor industry had mixed feelings on the fourth anniversary of PMTA filings. The FDA has received 26 million applications for novel tobacco products, mostly e-cigarettes, but rejected over 99% of them. The agency approved over 6,000 new combustible tobacco products while only allowing four vaping devices as cigarette alternatives. The refusal to authorize flavored e-cigarettes aimed to protect youth, despite a decline in youth vaping rates. The vapor industry criticized the FDA for prioritizing deadly combustible products, leading to millions of smoking-related deaths and substantial healthcare costs.