In a letter to the US Food and Drug Administration, lawmakers are urging the agency to temporarily clear the market of all e-cigarettes for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.
The letter, sent to FDA commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn on Tuesday, makes this call based on emerging research that suggests vaping or using e-cigarettes can come with an increased risk of being diagnosed with Covid-19 and suffering symptoms.
“This is true in vapers as young as 13, which is particularly concerning, given that young people are increasingly driving the spread of COVID-19, threatening the health and safety of Americans of all ages,” wrote Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform’s Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, who sent the letter on behalf of the subcommittee.
In the letter, the subcommittee asks for Hahn to confirm by August 18 — in one week — whether or not the FDA will temporarily clear the market of all e-cigarettes.
Considering that the world still doesn’t know much about the novel coronavirus that causes Covid-19 — and that the vaping trend emerged just recently — not much is known about how the two may affect each other or be associated.
But some new studies have started to explore possible connections, specifically around how vapers might have a more difficult time fighting off a coronavirus infection and could possibly be more susceptible to the illness.
Jacqueline Howard – CNN – August 11, 2020.
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