Washington, D.C.—(ENEWSPF)— U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Health Braintrust, condemned the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to authorize the sale of mango and blueberry-flavored Glas e-cigarettes.

“Just days after President Trump complained that flavored e-cigarettes were not approved by the FDA, Commissioner Marty Makary caved. In one sweeping, cowardly decision, the FDA sided with the President over the health of Americans, especially Black children. For decades, tobacco companies targeted Black Americans, causing higher rates of heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke. We are now seeing history repeat itself as companies like Glas and Juul target our youth with their more appealing—but just as addicting and deadly—flavored e-cigarettes. I refuse to see Black children taken advantage of by vape companies, and I remain committed to protecting the health of the Black community.”

The FDA previously abandoned its plans to ban menthol cigarettes. This was just two years after the agency proposed a rule to remove the harmful product from the market. Rep. Kelly led the majority of the CBC in a letter in support of the rule. She expressed her concern about the disproportionate use of menthol cigarettes amongst Black Americans. In 2019, 85% of Black smokers used menthol cigarettes compared to just 30% of white smokers. Flavored e-cigarettes, especially fruit flavors, have driven the increase of use amongst young smokers. Mango was one of the most popular Juul flavors before regulators removed it from the market.

The American College of Cardiology added its objections

In its own statement, the American College of Cardiology said that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken an unprecedented step by authorizing the marketing of four Glas e-cigarettes. These include the following pod flavors: Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, Gold (mango-flavored), and Sapphire (blueberry-flavored).

The agency’s decision to expand market access threatens previous progress made to limit flavored e-cigarette use, particularly among youth. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, “nearly 90% of youth who use e-cigarettes report using flavored products; fruit is by far the most popular flavor (63%) among youth users.”

The ACC maintains that research has shown a link between e-cigarettes and heart attack and coronary artery disease. E-cigarette use and nicotine addiction have also been shown to lead to increased risk of tobacco use, which is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S.

Sources: Congresswoman Robin Kelly and the American College of Cardiology