FDA Sued For Delaying Review Of Nicotine Products Appealing To Kids

Public health groups have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for letting nicotine products that appeal to kids stay on the market without regulation. 

In 2016, the FDA was granted authority to regulate products like flavored cigars and e-cigarettes. Last year, the agency issued a timeline revision delaying the deadline for companies to submit their products for review. In the meantime, those products remained on the shelves.

The American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and others argue in the suit that children are being exposed to addictive and dangerous chemicals before necessary evaluations are complete.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Pediatrics shows 7 in 10 kids and teens who used tobacco reported having used flavored products. 

Last year, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced a plan to overhaul tobacco regulations, and he took a step earlier this month to reduce the level of nicotine in cigarettes to combat addiction.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.