The FDA is announcing the publication of a revised guidance, Extension of Certain Tobacco Product Compliance Deadlines Related to the

Parliamentary questions

5 December 2016

P-009191-16

Question for written answer to the Commission

Rule 130

Frédérique Ries (ALDE)

Subject: Marketing of a hybrid tobacco product

The world’s leading tobacco company announced 48 hours ago that it would now be marketing its new device for smoking in the United Kingdom, following its initial launch in Japan, Italy and Switzerland.

The tobacco industry’s united front is being tested as Imperial Tobacco Group Plc takes a swipe at Philip Morris International Inc.’s new cigarette alternative.

The Royal College of Physicians completely refutes any suggestion or assertion that it has any “hidden agendas” in relation to harm reduction and e-cigarettes as might be implied by the Editorial (April 30, p 1789).1 All conflicts of interest are declared by the contributors to the report,2 and the Royal College of Physicians, an independent medical organisation representing 32 000 physicians, did not allow any involvement in the report by any manufacturers of tobacco, nicotine replacement therapy, or e-cigarettes.

It is disheartening to see that the media’s near-exclusive focus while covering the Food and Drug Administration’s recent tobacco “deeming regs” has been on the provision that restricts e-cigarette sales to minors. The New York Times published an editorial entitled “Keeping E-Cigarettes Away From the Kids,” and the Huffington Post ran an article with the headline “Finally—Commonsense Protections for Our Kids From Tobacco.”