The American Society for Cancer Research (ASCR) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have jointly issued a statement outlining ways to regulate e-cigarettes and other electronic nicotine delivery systems. At the same time, the organizations do not want regulation to undermine the potential for these devices to serve as a tool to help smokers quit.
"We are concerned that e-cigarettes may encourage nonsmokers, particularly children, to start smoking and develop nicotine addiction. While e-cigarettes may reduce smoking rates and attendant adverse health risks, we will not know for sure until these products are researched and regulated," said Peter Paul Yu, MD, president of ASCO. The statement urges the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to follow through on its stated intention of regulating e-cigarettes and similar devices.
The statement adds that AACR and ASCO encourage all oncologists to recommend FDA-approved smoking cessation medications rather than e-cigarettes to anyone who is trying to quit smoking.
E-cigarettes and other similar electronic devices deliver a nicotine solution in aerosolized form. They have been promoted as way to help people stop smoking tobacco and as safer alternatives to cigarettes. But at this time, there is little data on the health consequences of electronic nicotine delivery systems or how well they work as aids in quitting tobacco use.
E-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems are not regulated by the FDA, but some state and local governments have created regulations on their sale to minors or their use in public spaces. There are no federal regulations on manufacturing or quality controls, nor are there regulations for the liquid nicotine that the devices use.
The joint statement calls for new regulations stating that e-cigarettes and similar devices meet the definition of a tobacco product, requiring warning labels about the dangers of nicotine addiction, requiring restrictions on advertising or marketing to minors, and child-proof caps on containers of liquid nicotine. It also calls for funding generated through tobacco product taxes for research on these devices.
