California Cracks Down on Vaping, E-Cigarettes
Gov. Newsom will launch a public awareness campaign about the dangers of vaping.
Sep 18, 2019
SACRAMENTO—California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a $20 million, state-sponsored vaping awareness campaign to crackdown on and “reduce youth vaping consumption,” the Los Angeles Times reports. The governor also issued an executive action to state regulators to figure out how to prohibit illegal and counterfeit vaping products, as well as instructing the state health department to produce warning signs about vaping for placement at retail locations.
The move comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported at least six deaths and 450 possible cases of illnesses thought to be caused by vaping. “We’ve seen a skyrocket increase in the use of these flavored products by our children,” Newsom said. “As a father of four, this has been an issue that’s been brought to the forefront of my consciousness.”
Newsom also indicated his support of a ban on flavored vaping products, but he’ll work with state legislators next year on that proposal. More states are clamping down on vaping products by putting high taxes on the products and increasing the legal buying age to 21. Michigan was the first state to ban flavored vape products. In New York, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo Tuesday issued an emergency executive order to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, except for menthol and tobacco flavors. Enforcement of New York’s ban will begin October 4
Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving toward finalizing a compliance policy that would clear the marketplace of unauthorized, non-tobacco-flavored e-cigarette products, including mint-, menthol- and fruit-flavored vape products.
As reported in NACS Daily, the FDA has held retailers and manufacturers accountable for marketing and sales practices of e-cigarettes. The agency has also issued warning letters that resulted in the market removal of dozens of e-liquid products resembling kid-friendly juice boxes, cereal and candy. Additionally, the FDA and FTC cited firms that make and sell flavored e-liquids for violations related to online posts by social media influencers on their behalf.
Compliance and regulations Compliance and regulations Tobacco California
