During a recent government hearing, representatives from major e-cigarette manufacturers, including Altria, RJ Reynolds, Japan Tobacco International, and Miracle Shinsen Technology, declined invitations to testify, raising concerns about accountability in the industry. The session featured testimony from Yolanda Richardson, President and CEO of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, who emphasized the critical role of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act in regulating tobacco products.

Richardson highlighted that the act empowers the FDA to conduct pre-market reviews of new tobacco products, a measure intended to prioritize public health over economic interests. However, she criticized the FDA for its delayed response in regulating e-cigarettes, which have become increasingly popular among youth. The FDA's slow implementation of pre-market reviews allowed many e-cigarette products to remain on the market without proper oversight for years.

Despite the initiation of the pre-market review process in 2020, Richardson expressed concern over the backlog of applications submitted by e-cigarette companies, which has hindered timely regulatory action. She noted that thousands of e-cigarettes are still under review, with many unauthorized products continuing to pose significant public health risks due to their addictive nature and appeal to young users.

Richardson supported the FDA's recent decision to reject applications for over one million flavored e-cigarettes, citing the dangerous combination of appealing flavors and high nicotine levels as particularly harmful. The ongoing challenges in regulating e-cigarettes underscore the need for more robust enforcement and a commitment to protecting public health, especially among vulnerable youth populations.