Bookbear
Member For 4 Years
Food and Drug Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who used his post to propose heavy restrictions on vaping, resigned today (3/5), effective in about a month. The resignation was not sought by the White House. A senior White House official said Gottlieb had spoken to President Trump, who liked the FDA chief and did not want him to leave. While Gottlieb had some policy disagreements with the White House, he is well respected, and could even be invited back to another post. Gottlieb declined to comment on that possibility. The resignation took some senior FDA officials by surprise, and came as Gottlieb’s signature issue – youth vaping – is being reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget. The plan, detailed by Gottlieb last fall, would sharply restrict the sale of flavored e-cigarettes to curb a surge in underage vaping, which he argues could lead to a whole new generation addicted to nicotine. His plan had been criticized by some anti-tobacco activists as being too weak and by e-cigarette supporters as being too aggressive. Some libertarians and conservatives recently complained his approach represented 'regulatory panic' and went against Trump's anti-regulatory agenda. The initiative was also opposed by Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina who late last year put a hold on FDA legislation to flag his concerns over Gottlieb’s proposed menthol ban.
