President Trump will hold a meeting at the White House later today to discuss the ‘youth vaping epidemic’
The meeting will include advocacy and industry groups, non-profits, medical associations and state officials.
The meeting is scheduled for 1:45 PM PST (9:45 PM GMT).
According to the president’s public schedule, the meeting is a closed press ‘listening session on youth vaping and the electronic cigarette epidemic.’
In a statement to CNN, White House deputy press secretary, Judd Deere, said:
“As the President has said, there is a serious problem among our youth and their growing addiction to e-cigarettes.
“The policy making process is not stalled — it continues to move forward.
“This meeting will allow the President and other Administration officials an opportunity to hear from a large group, representing all sides as we continue to develop responsible guidelines that protect the public health and the American people.”
The President promised a meeting with vape industry leaders and others in the past.
However, the meeting didn’t go ahead and he eventually vetoed a bill that would introduce a federal flavour ban.
Who is invited to the meeting?
According to CNBC, the meeting will include:
- KC Crosthwaite, CEO of JUUL
- Howard Willard, CEO of Altria
- Joe Fragnito, president and CCO of Reynolds American
- Matt Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
- Sally Goza, president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Harold Wimmer, president of the American Lung Association
- Greg Conley, president of the American Vaping Association
- Tony Abboud, executive director of the Vapor Technology Association
- Scott Eley, president of the American E-Liquid Manufacturing Standards
- An as-yet unnamed representative of conservative advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform.
