A portion of the ANPRM “Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking” directly states:
“The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is issuing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to obtain information related to the role that flavors play in tobacco products. Specifically, this ANPRM is seeking comments, data, research results, or other information about, among other things, how flavors attract youth to initiate tobacco product use and about whether and how certain flavors may help adult cigarette smokers reduce cigarette use and switch to potentially less harmful products. FDA is seeking this information to inform regulatory actions FDA might take with respect to tobacco products with flavors, under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), as amended by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act). Potential regulatory actions include, but are not limited to, tobacco product standards and restrictions on sale and distribution of tobacco products with flavors.”
Breaking Down the Reality
Do I even need to stress how crucial this “ANPRM” truly is? Not the actual document per say, but in relation to the potential devastation of the independent Vape industry? It is due to this potential consequence that I do not need to stress how crucial the ANPRM is, though there is so much that must be addressed.
Yet, vapers are not the only citizens that will be directly affected by this FDA action. After all, there are even more citizens who do not use these products, and many of these citizens do not realize this industry was created by consumers, for consumers. Nor do they have any idea that this industry is a harm reduction tool that combats the smoking epidemic. Not a clue.
Of course, the reason for why non-vaping citizens have no clue as to what the vape industry truly represents is primarily because of the outlandish misinformation campaign that has been perpetuated by the anti-vape establishment.
Regardless, how would non-vapers be greatly affected by a federal flavor ban? The explanation is quite simple. When the consumers who use these products are prohibited from participating and contributing to an industry created by the working class, then non-vaping consumers are giving the powers that be further authority to destroy any other authentic solutions that could be established by anyone of equal socioeconomic status. The sooner we all realize this, the better, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Banning flavors would essentially be, for lack of a better imagined scenario, and as much as I don’t want to admit it, a flavor ban would be “the end.” Yes, as much as no vaper would like to admit.
The FDA “ENDS” acronym punchline would likely become a piece of hegemonic history. The end of the independent vape industry is the ultimate outcome of announcing a “potential” flavor ban. So, all mid-sized to small businesses built by the working class will likely disappear or sink into a black market — sadly, a place where the authorities prefer it to be.
In the documents the FDA recently released, of course there were no specifics listed as to what exactly this flavor ban might entail. As of right now, they have not publicly stated that they have committed to a “yes” or “no” answer as to whether or not they will be installing a complete ban on all flavors — except tobacco.
Then again, at this point, for as long as we’ve dealt with all of their vague explanations, broken promises, ironic acts and direct threats, do we honestly need to speculate as to what the language in their ANPRM means? From what they are communicating and the way in which they communicated it, I believe speaks volumes as to what they plan to do.
The FDA is Banning Flavors
Therefore, it is safe to say, the FDA have already made their decision. They are banning flavors. Allow me to make this point clear. THE FDA IS BANNING FLAVORS.
This is no time to speculate or attempt to translate. We know where they stand. So we should understand that they do not support the independent Vape industry.
To recite one portion of their ANPRM, “Potential regulatory actions include, but are not limited to, tobacco product standards and restrictions on sale and distribution of tobacco products with flavors.”
To anyone not accustomed to dealing with officially published federal documentation, this excerpt from the ANPRM would seem quite vague. However, vapers and advocates especially, should be able to determine exactly what it is the FDA is communicating.
