WASHINGTON (AP) – House Republicans are pushing to ease proposed government regulations for companies that sell e-cigarettes and other new tobacco products, a move that Democrats charge could lead to unsafe products on the market.
A spending bill approved by a House subcommittee Thursday would prevent the Food and Drug Administration from requiring pre-market reviews of e-cigarettes that already are on the market.
As part of a broader rule regulating e-cigarettes, the agency has proposed that e-cigarette brands marketed since February 2007 undergo those pre-market reviews retroactively once the final rule is approved. If the review finds the product is not “appropriate for the protection of the public health,” the FDA could take it off the market.
Republicans say pre-market review would be lengthy and expensive and could drive companies out of business.