WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, Senator Maria Cantwell, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, sent a letter to Acting Chairman Buerkle of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urging the Commission to enforce the Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015 (CNPPA). This law requires that all substances with liquid nicotine are placed in child-resistant packaging. However, due to the Commission’s inaction, non-compliant and dangerous packaging containing liquid nicotine remain on store shelves and for sale on Internet websites.

In her letter, Senator Cantwell highlighted the current widespread issues involving liquid nicotine. She wrote, “A recent wave of illnesses and even deaths linked to the use of liquid nicotine suspensions in vaping devices has highlighted the fact that these products often contain other potentially toxic substances that could be even more harmful to children.”

Senator Cantwell directly called upon Acting Chairman Buerkle’s office to provide information about the CPSC’s activity to implement the CNPPA including copies of incident and investigation reports, and relevant correspondence such as e-mails and phone logs.

“It is my understanding that your office may have directed Commission staff to delay or defer enforcement of the CNPPA requirements against manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of liquid nicotine products,” Senator Cantwell wrote.

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