Public outcry to stop the sale and distribution of combustible cigarettes and to significantly limit the sale of vaping products, partly in an effort to restrict the access of minors to these products, certainly isn’t enough to put an end to smoking or vaping. Former adult smokers continue to seek products to help them curb their smoking habits. As a result, e-cig manufacturers are thriving, assisting in transitioning users away from traditional tobacco smoking. Needless to say, whether you’re a part of a select group of manufacturers, a retailer who’s selling to the masses or just an individual user or vaper, it’s important to learn what regulations affect you, as the Food and Drug and Administration (FDA) continues to strive towards approving pending products, such as the Logic vape pen, to ensure consumer protection.
Invested in science and research
Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) products are still a relatively new technology, which means that the FDA is conducting ongoing research to evaluate their impact on public health. Not only are they collaborating with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), but the FDA is also funding research in an effort to make strides in regulating ENDS products. While this organization remains committed to keeping e-cigs out of the hands of minors, they’re focused on exploring e-cigs as a harm reduction tool for addicted smokers.
Enforced actions, policies, and education to prevent youth tobacco use
As part of the FDA’s plan to curb youth access to e-cigs, it created its Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan, which focuses on the following areas:
- Preventing the ability for youth to purchase online through the implementation of age verification systems requiring users to provide credit card information. Since the majority of credit cards cannot be issued to minors, this method has proven to be the most effective.
- Curbing the marketing of tobacco and ENDS products aimed at youth by the removal of fruit and mint-flavored e-cigarettes.
- Educating teens about the dangers of nicotine use in schools.
Key efforts include regular retailer inspections, as well as surveillance on websites, social media, and in publications to ensure that all manufacturers and retailers who sell and/or advertise these types of products are following FDA guidelines.
Increased requirements for manufacturers
As of June 2019, all ENDS manufacturers were forced to meet the following requirements to remain on the market:
- Submitting lists of products, including labeling and advertisements
- Submitting tobacco health documents
- Submitting ingredient listings
- Including required warning statements on packages, advertisements for ENDS (including components, such as e-liquids) stating, “WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”
At I Love Ecigs, we solely sell Logic vape pen products. Logic is one of the e-cig manufacturers that is working alongside the FDA to gain approval as a smoking cessation aid.
How do the regulations affect you? Have you taken the time to share your concerns regarding state restrictions on vaping products with your elected representatives? Drop a comment below to start a conversation.
