Proposed FDA E-Cigarette Regulations Could Affect Vape Retailers
The Food and Drug Administration wants to regulate electronic cigarettes. The agency proposed new rules similar to those already on other tobacco products.
The proposed rules would require a list of ingredients, health warnings, registration with the FDA and a minimum age requirement.
Joel Vinson of electronic cigarette store Vape Escapes says the new rules wouldn’t really be much of a change for them.
“We knew it was coming, to what extent no one knew. It’s been a see-saw kind of battle. Where the ball was going to land and where it landed is not very surprising. And for people who are doing this and doing good business it doesn’t affect us that much,” said Vinson.
Vinson says ingredients are listed on his store's products.
“I don’t think a minor should be buying it anyways," said customer Danny Papalakos.
And that is a popular opinion. Health advocates wanted the FDA to go further and ban fruit flavors and advertisements because they feared it attracted kids. Vinson says by that logic liquor companies need to stop making fruit-flavored alcohol.
“And if you are going to try and regulate electronic cigarettes in that way then you should probably look no further than your local grocery store because the same thing is going on and no one is making a big deal about that,” said Vinson.
Vape Escapes has a sign in the window saying they only sell to people 18 and over. And Vinson says he has been carding people from the beginning.
Now the FDA will have a 75 day public comment period before moving forward with the regulations.
