US lawmakers to FDA: ban e-cigarettes sales and ads to youth

US lawmakers want electronic cigarettes to be treated just like tobacco when it comes to sales and marketing. Senate and House Democrats said Monday that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the legislative authority to step in. The FDA is expected to issue regulations on e-cigarettes later this year, but it is unclear whether it will include an advertising ban or sales restrictions to youths. E-cigarettes are battery-operated aerosols that deliver vaporized nicotine inhaled by the user. A report by 11 lawmakers called “Gateway to Addiction” found that of the nation’s nine manufacturers of e-cigarettes, six sell flavors such as Cherry Crush or Chocolate Treat that could appeal to children. The lawmakers estimated e-cigarette sales neared $2 billion in 2013.

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