FDA wants to regulate e-cigarettes, state still plans legislative action

HARTFORD, Conn. – The Food and Drug Administration proposed Thursday to regulate electronic cigarettes. The move would fill a gap in the agency’s oversight which this year has inspired state and federal legislation from Connecticut policymakers.

Electronic nicotine delivery systems are not currently regulated by the government and there are no rules prohibiting the sale of the products to children. However, the FDA has announced plans to extend its authority over traditional cigarette products to their electronic counterparts.

If the plans are approved, e-cigarettes makers would be subject requirements like minimum age restrictions, health warning, and reporting of product ingredients. According to an FDA press release, the plan would also extend its authority over other traditional tobacco products like cigars and hookahs.

“Tobacco-related disease and death is one of the most critical public health challenges before the FDA. The proposed rule would give the FDA additional tools to protect the public health in today’s rapidly evolving tobacco marketplace, including the review of new tobacco products and their health-related claims,” Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said in a press release.

See the complete story at CT News Junkie.