Youth tobacco data, SNAP, IVF add-ons: Morning Rounds
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently released data from a federal survey showing that 7.2% of middle and high school students in the United States reported using tobacco products in 2025. This represents a decrease from the previous year, although the use of nicotine pouches among young people actually increased. Vapes were found to be the most popular tobacco product among survey respondents, with 5.2% reporting current use.
Of particular concern was the fact that nearly 90% of young vape users reported using flavored products, with sweet flavors like fruit, candy, and dessert being the most common. Despite this trend, the FDA recently approved four flavored e-cigarette products as a way to mitigate the use of these products among youth.
However, the American Lung Association has called on the FDA to reverse its decision to authorize flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches. They also urge the federal government to restore staffing at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health in order to prevent tobacco use and help people quit for good.
In a separate development, a federal judge ruled that the government cannot restrict Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits from being used to purchase candy, soda, and other sugary drinks. This decision was based on the definition of “food” used when states sought permission to implement these restrictions.
Additionally, a new systematic review from Australia found that many add-on procedures for in vitro fertilization (IVF) may not actually improve the chances of pregnancy. The review highlighted that most of these options either have no proven benefit for fertility or the data is inconclusive. It emphasized the need for robust clinical trials to better understand the potential benefits of these procedures.
Furthermore, researchers recently published the results of an abandoned trial for a vagus nerve stimulator to treat heart failure. This trial was part of the FDA’s breakthrough device program, which aims to expedite the development of promising technologies. The publication of these results underscores the importance of transparency in these programs.
In a crackdown on health care fraud, the Justice Department has criminally charged 455 individuals for submitting over $6.5 billion in false claims to insurers. The alleged offenders include a nurse practitioner, a mental health company owner, and a hospice owner.
Finally, ethical questions persist around CRISPR gene editing, particularly in human embryos. Scientists and bioethicists are grappling with the implications of using this technology to prevent genetic diseases. While exciting advancements have been made in base editing of human embryos, ethical guidelines are still needed to navigate this complex terrain.
