New Regulations Aim To Make It Harder For Minors To Get E-Cigarettes
New federal regulations went into effect Monday on the sale of e-cigarettes. Officials hope the changes make it harder for minors to get their hands on the products. But some fear the new laws go too far.
Included in the new laws is the Food and Drug Administration having to approve all e-cigarette products that have been out since 2007. Every product will go through a process that will determine if it can continue to be sold. Other changes include vape shops not being allowed to give out samples to people younger than 18. Stores will be required to ask for identification from everyone who appears to be under the age of 27. Vending machine sales of e-cigarettes will also be prohibited unless in an adult only venue.
Needless to say, e-cigarette companies are not happy with the new regulations and have already filed legal challenges with the FDA. They say the new changes could kill the industry.
With smoking on the decline, e-cigarette use has been on the rise. According to the CDC, e-cigarette use among high schoolers rose from 1.5% in 2011 to 16% in 2015.
[via USA Today]