Document ID: FDA-2014-N-0189-6462
Agency: fda
Document Type: Supporting & Related Material
Title: 
Posted Date: 2014-06-17T04:00Z

Comment Info: =================

General Comment:Dear Mr. Zeller:

I am writing as a regular user of e-cigarettes to request an extension of the comment period for the Food and Drug Administration's ("FDA") Proposed Rule Deeming Tobacco Products to be Subject to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, as amended by the Family Smoking and Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Proposed Rule") published at 79 Fed. Reg. 23,142 and Federal Register No. 2014-09491. I am requesting that the comment period for the Proposed Rule be extended by the FDA for an additional 105 days, from its current 75-day period, to 180 days.  I believe that these regulations are far too complex and much too important for a comment period of 75 days.

The Proposed Rule will affect the availability of products for my use of e-cigarettes.  It is very important to my health that the liquids, devices, and materials I use for this remain as available as possible.  I want to provide my thoughts and comments on many of these issues, but my time to devote to researching and providing thoughtful comments on these important questions is limited since I work a demanding job (55-60 hours a week). I have already spent many hours researching and dissecting these issues, but they take time. I know that the FDA took several years to even come up with the Proposed Rule, as such; I think six months is a reasonable comment period for the people to respond and comment. Once the comment period is complete, this opportunity is gone forever.  I know that the FDA has the authority under 21 CFR 10.40 to extend this time frame and that the FDA has exercised this authority on previous occasions.

I am passionate about e-cigarettes as an alternative to combustible cigarettes since they have had a dramatic effect on my life.  I weigh 45 pounds less than I did when I was smoking, because I can actually get exercise now without getting winded in the first two steps.  I feel better, I look great, and I don’t smell of cigarette smoke.  I truly feel better than I have in at least ten, maybe more like twenty, years.  I know that I will not only live longer, but I will live better.  These devices have made a tremendous improvement in my life.  I personally have introduced about a dozen smokers to the world of e-cigarettes.  We all are grateful in the improvements “vaping” has to our lives.

I would therefore ask that you do so here, so that all interested parties have the opportunity to provide their comments on this proposed regulation.  This is what the comment period is for, is it not?  By permitting just a bit more time, you will get a lot more feedback on what makes sense for these industry-shaping regulations.

Regards,