AVM to Senate Ethics Committee: Investigate Sen. Richard Durbin's Intimidation of FDA Officials

AVM Calls on Senate Ethics Committee to Investigate Senator Richard Durbin's Intimidation of FDA Officials

Durbin’s anti-vaping crusade crosses ethical lines into improper meddling in FDA’s analysis and policy on nicotine vaping

Washington, D.C. – (October 14, 2022) – Illinois Senator Richard Durbin's repeated insistence that the Food and Drug Administration ban nicotine vaping products has plainly violated prohibitions in the Senate Ethics Manual against intervention in the decision-making of federal agencies.

In a letter delivered today to the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, AVM documented multiple instances in which Senator Durbin demanded FDA ban all vaping products, well before the agency could complete its legally required review of these low-risk smoking alternatives—and then openly threatened the FDA's leadership if they didn't comply. “It’s time for [FDA] Commissioner Califf to do his job to protect our children or step aside,” Durbin declared in a hostile June 2022 press release.

Durbin’s misconduct is also an affront to common decency since millions of Americans rely on nicotine vaping to quit deadly combustible cigarettes, a fact that FDA itself has often emphasized. The agency’s top tobacco official told the Associated Press just last month that “We do know that e-cigarettes, as a general class, have markedly less risk than a combustible cigarette product.” Data submitted to FDA by numerous vape manufacturers demonstrates that vaping has a higher efficacy by far than any other method of smoking cessation.

AVM President Amanda Wheeler, along with advocates from Americans for Tax Reform, will lead a rally for consumers and constituents in Illinois on Monday at Marco’s Vapor in Rockford, Illinois at 3:00 PM to insist the Senate take immediate action on Durbin’s wrongdoing.

The Senate Ethics Committee would not be the first watchdog to examine how FDA’s policy is being wrongfully undermined. Earlier this year, the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General launched an investigation into undue political influence on the FDA’s approval process for vaping products. The Senate committee's investigation should include a review of all communications and meetings between FDA leadership and Senator Durbin.

"Senator Durbin's arrogant bullying has now become a grave threat to public health," said Amanda Wheeler, President of AVM. "Cigarettes kill nearly half a million Americans annually, and the senator from Illinois wants to ban the most effective quit-smoking tools ever developed. At a time when trust in public health authorities is already shaky, Durbin’s shameful campaign to hijack federal policy on this crucial health issue should come to an immediate end.” 

About the American Vapor Manufacturers Association 

The American Vapor Manufacturers Association (AVM) represents independent vapor manufacturers across the United States. It works to preserve the thriving vapor industry by providing support, representation, and engagement in the federal regulatory process. The AVM serves its members with integrity, diligence, and resourcefulness. Keep up to date with AVM by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

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