FEATURE
FDA Commissioner Calls for both sides
of Vape Debate to find Common Ground
B y To n y O t t o m a n e l l i I I
During his speech announcing the PMTA
Deadline Extensions in July, the following
comment certainly stood out above the rest.
“The ongoing divisive debate
on the pros and cons of
e-cigarettes. Precious little
progress has been made as
competing camps dig in on
the benefits and risks of the
harm reductionist approach
of this new technology. Both
sides are convinced that they
are right, but we see very
little progress and virtually
no common ground.”
- FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb
88 | VM14
Overall, the Commissioner is correct.
Though only slightly, not entirely. These
particular comments are true about the
conditions surrounding the debate on
vaping, but is it possible for a negotiation
to end up reaching a consensus? That
statement is surely an attempt at allowing
some type of discussion to be held that
results in a shared agreement.
We need order and compromise from the
anti-vaping establishment. Yet, how can
you find common ground with a competing
camp that denies genuine testimony from
former smokers who quit by vaping? Time
and time again the Tobacco Control Industry
have inserted themselves into this industry
without rhyme or reason.
The Vape Industry is not the tobacco industry,
but the moral crusaders of numerous
Tobacco Control groups insist on refusing to
accept vaping as a harm reduction method
responsible for saving countless lives.
Those who support vaping are typically all
former smokers that have moved on from
the cancerous combustible tobacco sticks.
Or, they are logical individuals who have
analysed the scientific evidence proving just
how effective vaping is.
Repeatedly, the honest and genuine
testimonials given by former smokers who
attest to the effectiveness of using vapor
products to help them quit smoking are
ignored in such an insulting fashion by
Tobacco Control fanatics.
In retrospect, it is entirely understandable
and commendable that Dr. Gottlieb is
attempting to open up a professional and
productive discourse on the vaping debate.
After years of refusing to hear-out the vape
industry and all the claims of the significance
surrounding progress being made, Gottlieb
is absolutely a refreshing voice to hear
coming from the FDA.
In his speech, he was merely laying out his
agenda and his expectations. At the very
end of his comments highlighted above, he
also stated, “On the other hand, there’s a
pathway forward that reframes the debate
around nicotine.”
All in all, this is absolutely true, though do we
honestly think these anti-tobacco enforcers
in Tobacco Control will even listen? They