The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) appreciates yesterday's acknowledgment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that e-cigarette use among adolescents has reached epidemic levels, but FDA must back up this statement with meaningful regulatory action to protect children from e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.

"The AAP rejects FDA's decision to allow five leading e-cigarette manufacturers to submit plans in 60 days for how they will address youth use of their products. FDA has the ability today to do what tobacco companies can't and won't do: take effective steps to reduce and eliminate youth use of e-cigarettes.

The Academy urges the agency to use its existing authority to immediately regulate all e-cigarettes. In fact, the AAP has joined other leading health and medical groups in legal action to compel FDA to do just that. If FDA continues to delay meaningful regulation, a generation of young people will become addicted to these dangerous products, which are being marketed to them in appealing, child-friendly flavors.

Pediatricians do everything in our power to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up healthy and free from addiction to tobacco and nicotine. Addressing the threat of tobacco, no matter the form it takes, is imperative to meet that goal. The Academy will continue to urge FDA to take meaningful action to protect children from e-cigarettes."