President Donald Trump wants to move the Center for Tobacco Products, which oversees e-cigarettes, out of the FDA and create a new tobacco agency within the Health and Human Services Department, according to the 2021 presidential budget released Monday.
The suggestion is a major detour from the president’s proposal last year that e-cigarette companies pay $100 million in user fees.
Trump’s budget proposal follows criticism from Democrats over the Food and Drug Administration’s flavor restriction policy, which they argue leaves some kid-friendly vapes and fruity e-liquids on the market.
“This new agency would be led by a Senate-confirmed Director in order to increase direct accountability and more effectively respond to this critical area of public health concern,” the budget said.
In November, White House Domestic Policy Council Chair Joe Grogan suggested the FDA shouldn’t be responsible for regulating the tobacco industry.
The tobacco regulations were the only instance where the FDA was mentioned in the White House budget outline. No specific spending for the FDA or other policies proposals were included.
Michael Bloomberg has campaigned and given money in support of a ban on flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco. Bloomberg Law is operated by entities controlled by Michael Bloomberg.
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