AMA remains opposed to e-cig’s smoking-cessation claims

The American Medical Association (AMA) has announced a new policy that will further strengthen its support of the regulatory oversight of e-cigarettes. The update is an extension of the organization’s existing policy, which calls for all e-cigarettes to be subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations that apply to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products.

The AMA’s new policy calls for laws and regulations that would set the minimum legal age to buy e-cigarettes and e-liquids at 21; mandate child-resistant containers for e-liquids; and enforce laws against the sale of tobacco products to minors. The existing policy also seeks a ban on claims that e-cigarettes are effective tools for smoking cessation.

“Improving the health of the nation is AMA’s top priority, and we will continue to advocate for policies that help reduce the burden of preventable diseases like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, both of which can be linked to smoking,” said AMA president Robert M. Wah.