America's Largest Tobacco Company Pushes Back Against FDA Vaping Regulations

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed strict new vaping regulations that will take effect in August, prompting a backlash from the current e-cigarette industry.

Altria Group, the largest tobacco company in the U.S. and the parent company of Philip Morris, has been lobbying alongside 75 others to either retroactively review or halt the FDA's new product market restrictions, the New York Times reported on Friday.

The group argues that the stringent new regulations could force many e-cigarette companies to shut down, which could have harmful effects on public health, as many have successfully quit smoking using these technologies.

“The FDA is blatantly ignoring evidence that our products improve lives,” said Howard Willard, CEO of Altria Group, in an interview with the New York Times.

Although the FDA acknowledges that vaping is better than smoking, authorities are concerned that some ingredients in the juice may still be harmful and that vaping could lead to more teenage smokers, which is indeed a valid concern.

“Without science-based regulation of all tobacco products, the market has been the Wild West,” said Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, in an interview with the New York Times. “[T]hat’s how we ended up with a 900% increase in high school students using e-cigarettes.”

Altria Group has introduced legislation to preemptively implement the new regulations, with Oklahoma Republican Congressman Tom Cole blocking the FDA's proposal. Cole, who introduced the bill in the House, has garnered 71 co-sponsors, but it remains pending.

Former Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu has also been lobbying on behalf of the cigar industry, which is also under the FDA's regulatory scope.

Similarly, the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association has its own lobbying efforts aimed at halting the burdensome new FDA regulations.

Altria Group could not comment on the matter as its offices were closed ahead of Labor Day.