In a move that is expected to be announced soon, the FDA plans to restrict the sale of flavored electronic cigarette products in all gas stations and convenience stores across the US. This decision comes at a time when government data paints a gloomy picture showing that teen vaping has increased by 77 percent since last year. The FDA will only allow tobacco shops and vape shops to sell flavored e-cigs. However, menthol and mint-flavored e-cigs will continue to be sold in convenience stores as well as gas stations. This exception is intended to avoid giving combustible cigarettes an advantage since menthol and mint-flavored tobacco cigarettes can be sold at gas stations and convenience stores. Refillable e-cigs will not be affected by the ban. Only prepackaged e-liquid pods will be restricted. The regulator also wants online stores to implement strict age-verification systems in order to prevent minors from purchasing e-cigs.
This decision is likely to be criticized by both sides of the aisle. Pro-vaping groups may protest that it will get harder for adults who want to switch to e-cigs to access those products. In contrast, those opposed to vaping are likely to say that the FDA should have imposed a total ban on the manufacture and sale of flavored e-cigs. The coming weeks will show how this matter pans out once the official FDA restrictions are announced.