State of Vape

Across the country, states are moving forward with plans to regulate electronic cigarettes.

February 02, 2015

NEW YORK – While the federal government mulls how to regulate electronic cigarettes, many states are growing tired of waiting.

Last week, California issued a 21-page report warning that young people could become addicted to nicotine “if lawmakers don’t step in to regulate the fast-growing industry soon,” reports the Wall Street Journal, adding that a “record 60-plus bills designed to rein in the fast-growing ‘vape’ industry are being considered in 21 state legislatures stretching from Oregon to Virginia.”

The news source continues that in April 2014, the FDA issued preliminary rules that would prohibit sales to minors and require e-cigarette manufacturers to submit products for approval. A rule is expected in June.

Meanwhile, some states are growing frustrated with the FDA’s timeline: “The FDA is not addressing it, and I don’t think the state of Indiana should sit on its heels and wait for the federal government,” Indiana state Rep. Kevin Mahan told the newspaper.

Oregon legislators have introduced seven bills to regulate e-cigarettes, including one to ban online sales and to ban flavored products.

In Indiana, proposed legislation would require retailers that bottle and sell liquid nicotine to pay $5,000 for state permits and list ingredients. The Wall Street Journal notes that Reynolds American Inc. supports efforts like the one in Indiana to “rein in” the liquid nicotine industry. Spokesman David Howard told the news source: “We’re all manufacturers. We should all be held to the same standard.”

NACS issued a statement of position last year encouraging stores that sell e-cigarettes to adopt, as a best practice, a policy of treating these products as age-restricted and subjecting them to the same age-verification procedures as those applicable to tobacco products.

“As responsible retailers, we want to help ensure that minors do not have access to e-cigarettes,” said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour. “Convenience stores will continue to act responsibly in retailing e-cigarettes and complying with existing laws.”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement