Altria Group, Inc., the maker of Marlboro is launching a non-dissolving, nicotine disc called Verve. It won’t contain tobacco, but instead the chewable, mint-flavored disc contains nicotine, which is extracted from tobacco. This is the part that really matters. By not actually containing tobacco, Altria is betting to receive a milder health warning than for a product witch actually contains tobacco.
The Verve disc resembles a cough drop and releases nicotine as a user sucks or crews on it. The disc, made of cellulose and polymer, is thrown away after use. It will be sold in a package of 16 discs and sell for about $3, much less than a pack of cigarettes. Altria will begin selling Verve in Virginia this month.
Most important is how the FDA will respond to regulating this type of product. In 2009, the law granting the FDA authority over tobacco products also authorized the FDA to extend its jurisdiction to “other” tobacco products. In 2010, the FDA announced that they would issue regulations over all tobacco products, but has yet to do so. By taking too long to act, the FDA has given tobacco companies the opportunity to develop and introduce these novel types of products that circumvent the existing laws.
Final word, the FDA must assert jurisdiction over all tobacco and tobacco-derived products. By using their power to review products, restrict marketing and sales to children, require health warnings, mandate the disclosure of contents and prohibit any health claims without FDA review, the FDA will be doing their part in preventing the terrible toll of tobacco use and addiction to nicotine.
Written by guest blogger Kim Hageman
http://www.survivingoshkosh.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SurvivingOshkosh
The Verve disc resembles a cough drop and releases nicotine as a user sucks or crews on it. The disc, made of cellulose and polymer, is thrown away after use. It will be sold in a package of 16 discs and sell for about $3, much less than a pack of cigarettes. Altria will begin selling Verve in Virginia this month.
Most important is how the FDA will respond to regulating this type of product. In 2009, the law granting the FDA authority over tobacco products also authorized the FDA to extend its jurisdiction to “other” tobacco products. In 2010, the FDA announced that they would issue regulations over all tobacco products, but has yet to do so. By taking too long to act, the FDA has given tobacco companies the opportunity to develop and introduce these novel types of products that circumvent the existing laws.
Final word, the FDA must assert jurisdiction over all tobacco and tobacco-derived products. By using their power to review products, restrict marketing and sales to children, require health warnings, mandate the disclosure of contents and prohibit any health claims without FDA review, the FDA will be doing their part in preventing the terrible toll of tobacco use and addiction to nicotine.
Written by guest blogger Kim Hageman
http://www.survivingoshkosh.com/
http://www.facebook.com/SurvivingOshkosh
No comments:
Post a Comment