The ACC has submitted comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) pushing for increased regulation of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), cigars, hookah and other similar products that are currently not under the FDA's regulatory purview. The Agency recently released a rule that would expand its authority over these products; however, the ACC and its allies do not think the proposal goes far enough. In its current form, the rule would allow e-cigarette manufacturers and others to continue to target their marketing efforts towards children and teens. It would also continue to allow for sale of flavorings for e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products, and exempt premium cigars from any restrictions. "While we have a solid grasp of the detrimental side effects of cigarettes thanks to extensive research in this area, we have entered an entirely new 'smoking era' and the jury is still out regarding how products such as e-cigarettes impact health," noted Thad F. Waites, MD, FACC, on the ACC in Touch Blog.

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