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FDA Pushed To Define Scope Line Between Drug And Tobacco Products

March 31st 2011 - A key Democratic lawmaker and a stakeholder group are urging FDA to close loopholes in the Tobacco Control Act that enable exemptions for certain tobacco goods, with the agency saying it is still considering its options for some tobacco-derived products as it defines the line between tobacco and drug products. FDA, citing current limitations in the law, recently said it could not to regulate dissolvable tobacco lozenges from a tobacco company, a decision that drew the ire of an anti-tobacco group, while a tobacco policy expert contends that drug companies could seize on the agency's conclusion to market their smoking-cessation goods without certain warnings or claims.

As part of this debate on how to draw FDA's jurisdictional lines for tobacco, some lawmakers are pressing the agency to expand the ban on clove cigarettes to cigars, which are not explicitly covered under the law. The issue also plays into how FDA will balance the interests of the drug and tobacco industries........................

Click Here to Go to FDA Section for More Info

U.S. Court of Appeals again DENIES FDA (U.S. Federal Drug Administration)

January 26th 2011 - The fledgling electronic-cigarette industry scored another victory against the Food and Drug Administration in federal court Monday, potentially setting the stage for the battery-powered devices to be regulated like conventional tobacco products.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected the FDA's request to have the entire court review a December decision by a three-judge panel that went against the agency. The FDA, which contends that the products should be regulated as drug devices, now has the option of........... see WSJ website, link below

E-Cigarette Industry Wins Federal Court Victory - WSJ.com

FDA Annoncement (U.S. Federal Drug Administration) eCigs now Tobacco Product

April 25th 2011 - After the most recent loss in the federal court of appeals the FDA made an announcement that electronic cigarettes will be regulated as a tobacco product. The good news is electronic cigarettes are now officially recognized by the United States government and is no longer banned for importation.

The new concern is that eCigs (electronic cigarette's) are not the same as tobacco products and should be regulated as a product lesser in health risks than tobacco cigarettes. In addition the FDA now also controls tobacco products and with the recent banning of flavored cigarettes the future is unknown for future regulation, taxation and restrictions.

Yahoo News Article

FDA Public Annoncement - Link on FDA Site

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