Consumer Group Against PMTA Registries

Time:2024-03-14 Views:386

U.S. states must recognize the unintended consequences of passing laws requiring premarket

tobacco product application (PMTA) registries for alternative nicotine products such as

vaping devices, heaters, and nicotine pouches, according to the Consumer Choice Center, an

organization claiming to represent consumers in more than 100 countries.

In the first months of 2024, more than a dozen bills have been introduced in U.S. states

calling for a state-based registry for alternative nicotine products. Such legislation has

already been passed in Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama.

“While the intention behind these bills is to manage consumer access to unregulated

nicotine products on the illicit market, the reality is that the FDA is not approving

enough new devices and products to create a competitive, regulated marketplace that meets

consumer demand,” said Elizabeth Hicks, U.S. affairs analyst at the Consumer Choice

Center.

While 26 million nicotine alternative products submitted PMTAs to the Food and Drug

Administration, only 23 have been approved. Of those 23 approved products, 12 are

tobacco-flavored e-liquid refills.

“The FDA is hiding the ball here on product approvals and how few new products are

actually coming to market. If the goal is to improve public health across the country,

then consumers deserve to choose from a variety of different nicotine alternatives,” said

Hicks.

The Consumer Choice Centers urges state legislatures to refrain from adding to

counterproductive federal policies and instead advance tobacco harm reduction through a

competitive marketplace.