Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Tighter, Obama-Era Regulations Of E-Cigarettes Delayed So New Administration Can Review
The Washington Post: FDA Delays Enforcement Of Stricter Standards For E-Cigarette, Cigar Industry
The Trump administration has delayed enforcement of a rule finalized last year that imposed strict oversight over electronic cigarettes and cigars for the first time. The move, which the Justice Department revealed in court filings Monday night in both the District and Alabama, comes as the vaping and tobacco industries are launching a concerted effort to roll back the Food and Drug Administration regulation through both legislation and litigation. (Eilperin, 5/2)
In other public health news —
Houston Chronicle: Pregnant Women Unaware Of Zika Basics, Texas Study Finds
Zika's primary victims are developing babies in the womb, but a new survey suggests that many pregnant women don't know basic information or take recommended steps to prevent the spread of the mosquito-borne virus. The survey, conducted by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, found that most pregnant women in southeast Texas were unaware the birth defect-causing virus can be spread by sex even if their partner has no symptoms. Many also had little knowledge where they shouldn't travel because of Zika outbreaks. (Ackerman, 5/2)
The Star Tribune: Does The Essential-Oil Trend Pass The Smell Test?
Essential oils are a hot item in today’s holistic healing world — touted as a natural way to improve your mood, ward off sickness and treat ailments such as arthritis, dry skin and allergies. Now, a growing number of hospitals are jumping onto the essential-oils bandwagon, offering them to patients to help manage pain, nausea and anxiety. (Shah, 5/2)
