Mitt Romney votes to advance FDA nominee despite concerns about vaping


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SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mitt Romney voted to advance the White House nominee to head the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to the full Senate on Tuesday, but not without reservation.

The Utah Republican continues to raise concerns over Dr. Stephen Hahn not committing to take action to address the “massive” youth vaping epidemic, particularly banning flavored e-cigarettes that have become popular among children.

“I had hoped in his hearing that he would express very clearly that he would follow science with regards to vaping, specifically that he would place the interest of public health above any other interest, including political interest,” Romney said.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee gave Hahn a favorable recommendation on an 18-5 vote Tuesday.

Romney said that because the vaping issue has “political implications for various people,” he’s concerned the government won’t do what’s right for Americans.

President Donald Trump backed away from a plan announced in September to remove nontobacco flavored vaping products from the market.

On Monday, the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic, which includes Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, urged Trump in a letter to impose the flavor ban, including mint and menthol.

“Our children should not be used as guinea pigs by the tobacco industry,” the letter states.

Hahn, the chief medical executive of MD Anderson Cancer Center, sidestepped questions about a flavor ban during his confirmation hearing in November. Asked by Romney whether he would act to ban flavors, Hahn was noncommittal, saying the final policy is under consideration at the White House.

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Romney pushed for the ban in a meeting with Trump, tobacco industry advocates, public health officials and doctors in November.

Romney said Tuesday that if Hahn were told to do something that ran contrary to his views as a doctor and scientist, that he should clearly say he was directed to do so or that he would even consider resigning.

The senator said he voted for Hahn because he believes he’s a solid professional with the right instincts and record, but intends to insist he report to the committee and the country how decisions about vaping are being made and carried out.

Romney also said Congress needs to act quickly to set a national standard.

He introduced a bill in September to ban flavored e-cigarettes and tax vaping products like regular cigarettes to fund a public awareness campaign about the dangers of vaping. He also called on the FDA to immediately pull flavors from the market and raise the age for legal vaping to 21.

According to the Utah Department of Health, there have been 112 cases cases of e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury reported in the state as of Nov. 25. The number is lower than previously reported due to a nationwide change in how cases are now being counted. Only those hospitalized as a result of their injury are counted as official cases. There has been one death in Utah.

Most of the Utah cases involve people in their 20s and 30s. About 16% are age 19 and under. Vaping THC cartridges is likely the driver behind the lung disease outbreak, according to the health department.

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Dennis Romboy
Dennis Romboy is an editor and reporter for the Deseret News. He has covered a variety of beats over the years, including state and local government, social issues and courts. A Utah native, Romboy earned a degree in journalism from the University of Utah. He enjoys cycling, snowboarding and running.

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