ACP issues policy position paper on e-cigarettes

The American College of Physicians issued a policy position paper this week calling for greater regulation and oversight of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including e-cigarettes.

The policy position paper, which was published in the April 21 Annals of Internal Medicine, is intended to provide updated guidance to policymakers regarding the growing market for such products. It was drafted by ACP's Health and Public Policy Committee and is based on a review of available studies, relevant news articles, policy documents, and websites.

ACP recommends that the FDA extend its regulatory authority to cover ENDS and that flavors should be banned from ENDS and all other tobacco products. In addition, ACP reiterated its support for taxing tobacco products to discourage use by children and adolescents and said that local governments should be allowed to establish higher tax rates for ENDS and related products than state taxes.

ACP supports legislative or regulatory efforts that would restrict promotion, advertising, and marketing of ENDS as well as combustible cigarettes. ACP also recommends that clean air laws prohibiting smoking should be extended to include ENDS and that the federal government should fund rigorous research on ENDS’ health effects.

“While the long-term public health consequences of ENDS are unknown, the College believes that efforts should be made to oversee these novel products to protect the health of ENDS users and nonusers and strongly prohibit youth access,” the paper said. “Further, robust research is needed to better understand the potential benefits and harms associated with ENDS.”