WASHINGTON: The US Food and Drug Administration has moved to curb the rapidly increasing use of e-cigarettes, warning consumers that like other tobacco products it too contains nicotine and is injurious to health.

This is the first ever move anywhere in the world to regulate the use of e-cigarettes.

Tobacco products “continue to be the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States,” said the administration while explaining the need for curbing the use of e-cigarettes.

The proposed regulation, once implemented, would impose new restrictions, including:

• A ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

• A prohibition on distributing free samples.

• A ban on selling e-cigarettes in vending machines unless they are in places that never admit young people.

• A requirement that e-cigarettes carry warnings that they contain nicotine, which is addictive.

• E-cigarette manufacturers would be required to disclose the ingredients in their products.

The use of e-cigarettes soared rapidly in the last five years, and last year registering a sale of two billion dollars in the United States alone.

E-cigarettes are plastic or metal tubes about the size of a traditional cigarette that heat a liquid solution containing nicotine. That creates a vapour that users inhale.

The anti-tobacco lobby in the United States is particularly incensed with the practice of candy flavoured cigarettes that attract minors.

While the users argue that the e-cigarettes have helped reduced the use of traditional cigarettes, the FDA and others argue that since it contains nicotine, it too is harmful. They also say that e-cigarettes have helped popularise tobacco use, instead of reducing it.

The FDA proposal would also require any new e-cigarettes to get FDA approval before being sold, and demand that current products provide a justification for remaining on the market.

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.