Former FDA Chief Says Counterfeit Vapes Linked to Acute Lung Illness Cases

On September 5, according to Fox News, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb continues to blame counterfeit e-cigarette products for the surge in such incidents among teenagers and young adults.

"Since August 2017, legal actions have been actively monitored by the FDA. The FDA has conducted thousands of inspections of manufacturers and e-cigarette shops, issued manufacturing guidelines, and sought product recalls. These tragedies point to illegal e-cigarettes and THC products," former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb wrote on Twitter Tuesday night.

However, a spokesperson for the American Lung Association stated that it is still too early to determine whether counterfeit e-cigarettes should be blamed.

As of last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 193 potential cases of severe lung disease associated with e-cigarettes. These cases were recorded from June 28 to August 20 across 22 states, prompting the CDC to conduct an investigation.

"While I have great respect for former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb, I believe it is premature to speculate on the reasons or causes we are seeing this... I firmly believe the FDA did not delay regulation of these products in July 2017," said Erika Sward, spokesperson for the American Lung Association.

Gottlieb became the head of the FDA in May 2017, and Sward accused him of calling it a "wild west e-cigarette market."

"When it comes to counterfeit cigarettes, the tobacco industry has always been happy to let go... Most importantly, e-cigarettes are not safe, and from the perspective of the American Lung Association, no one should use e-cigarettes," Sward said.

According to NBC News, before leaving the FDA in April, Gottlieb stated that manufacturers must be held accountable. E-cigarette companies must submit applications to the FDA by May 2020 to determine who can continue selling products.

"I believe that if their products are being used, manufacturers are guilty, regardless of whether the liquid is counterfeit or real. Ultimately, they are responsible for keeping their products out of the hands of children," he said.

Meanwhile, the CEO of e-cigarette giant Juul, Kevin Burns, stated that the surge in severe lung disease cases among teenagers and young adults is "concerning," but he added that investigators should consider the risks associated with THC during the incidents.