Cole Bill Would Update Rules Concerning Vapor Sales

Cole Bill Would Update Rules Concerning Vapor Sales
Okie Staff Reports

E- vapor product store owners are rallying behind H.R. 1136, a bill cosponsored by Rep. Tom Cole (OK-R) that would update Federal Drug Administration (FDA) rules concerning vapor products.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017, would update the current predicate date for vapor products because the current date could cause vapor products to be taken off the shelves and hurt small businesses.

“It’s not just my store that could suffer, but the entire vapor industry and all those who have turned to vapor products as a safer alternative to smoking,” said Vape This! Owner Jennifer Burton. “99% of all vapor products will be banned from the market, causing my store and thousands of others across the country to close.”

The predicate date set by the FDA requires any and all products that were not already being sold before this date to apply with the FDA for approval to be sold. Currently, the date used by the FDA is Feb. 15, 2007, but the new bill would change that date to Aug. 8, 2016, according to a release from Cole.

“While there is disagreement about whether certain tobacco products should be regulated or not, there should be agreement that new regulations should apply to products moving forward, and not retroactively,” Cole said in the release.

The bill is currently in the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health awaiting further action.