Attorneys General Urge FDA to Regulate E-Cigarettes

Citing increased use among youth, 40 state attorneys general appeal to the FDA to regulate electronic cigarettes in the same way that it regulates tobacco products.

September 26, 2013

BOSTON – Forty state attorneys general banded together earlier this week in asking the federal government to regulate electronic cigarettes, CBS News reports.

In a letter sent to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the AG’s urged the agency to regulate e-cigarettes in the same way that it regulates tobacco products.

It states that e-cigarettes are being marketed to children with cartoon-like characters and by offering fruit and candy flavors.

The FDA does not have regulatory powers over e-cigarettes, with its Center for Tobacco Products division only regulating cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco and smokeless tobacco.

Without regulation, e-cigarettes can be sold to minors in states that don’t restrict sales, opponents point out.

"Unlike traditional tobacco products, there are no federal age restrictions that would prevent children from obtaining e-cigarettes, nor are there any advertising restrictions," wrote Ohio AG Mike DeWine.

The health effects of e-cigarettes have not been adequately studied and the ingredients are not regulated, the letter said.

"People, especially kids, are being led to believe that e-cigarettes are a safe alternative, but they are highly addictive and can deliver strong doses of nicotine," Massachusetts AG Martha Coakley said.

The letter urges the FDA to meet an October 31 deadline to issue proposed regulations that will address the advertising, ingredients and sale to minors of e-cigarettes. 

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