In 2016, the FDA’s Deeming Rule brought e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah, and more under its control. What followed was ten years of shifting rules, delays, bureaucracy, political interference, and nonsense.
Today, the @FDATobacco account is highlighting a new CTP Acting Director statement promising “New Steps Forward in Accelerating Innovation and Efficiency.”
They claim a 70% backlog reduction in 2025 after reviewing nearly 27 million applications. Along with faster reviews, no more queues, quicker nicotine pouch approvals, and pilots for modifications.
Sounds good on paper.
But I’m just an old cab driver who’s watched this agency move the goalposts for a decade.
I’ve seen small businesses disappear… places that offered genuine personalized service, guidance (now long deemed illegal) from those shop owners, and product choices, including flavors, that helped millions of adults transition away from smoking.
Every “efficiency” announcement makes me wonder… like I often do… and now, with FDA’s Makary gone, how long it’ll last before the next personnel changes, political pressures, nonprofit influence campaigns, or regulatory crackdowns come rearing their ugly heads… just like they have for the last ten years……
I want to believe they’re finally getting it right.
I really do.
I just don’t.
Here’s the full statement/link: