US to begin regulating e-cigarettes

World Today

Following new rules released Thursday, the U.S. government is now regulating electronic cigarettes. The final rules are expected to take effect on August 8th. The devices have surged in popularity, now comprising a multi-billion dollar industry worldwide. CCTV’s Jessica Stone has the details.

The U.S. government is issuing new rules on electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products. It’s all an effort to keep them out of the hands of young people.

“Under this rule, retailers will no longer be allowed to sell e-cigarettes, cigars or other tobacco products to anyone under the age of 18, and all sales to those 26 and under will require a photo ID,” Sylvia Burwell; U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services announced on Thursday.
Three million teens used e-cigarettes last year, according to the government. That’s up 20 percent from 2014.

Here in the U.S. health officials say half of teenage boys will light up a cigar before a cigarette and two thirds will smoke a flavored cigar. That’s why this new rule bans cigar sales to youth as well as e-cigarettes.”

But what about smokers trying to use e-cigarettes to quit smoking regular cigarettes? Shop owner, Donnie Thomason says they are his target market.

“We actually opened the store up to help people to transition away from smoking over to vaping, which tends to be a lot healthier,” Donnie Thomason, an electronic cigarette shop owner said.

In a statement, Reynolds American – which makes e-cigarettes – told CCTV: “We believe that a pivotal element of achieving public health is regulation that provides adult smokers with innovative nicotine products that do not burn tobacco. ”

Regulators counter research doesn’t show e-cigarettes can help smokers quit.

Under their new rules, manufacturers have to get government permission to continue marketing all e-cigarettes launched since 2007. That’s most of the market and manufacturers warn that the costs of complying with these rules could wipe out their industry. All indications are, they’re likely to sue the U.S. government to block the decision.