New, sweeping federal rules bar e-cigarette sales to teens younger than 18

The Obama administration on Thursday announced controversial new rules for electronic cigarettes, cigars, hookahs and pipe tobacco, including barring the sales of the products to teens under 18 years old.

The new requirements, which go into effect in 90 days, mark the first time the Food and Drug Administration has regulated any of the products.

The rules compel retailers to verify the age of purchasers by photo identification and bar sales of the products in vending machines that are accessible to minors. They also ban the distribution of free samples.

In addition, the FDA is generally requiring manufacturers whose products went on sale after Feb. 15, 2007, to get approval from the agency to continue selling their products. These product reviews will allow the FDA to scrutinize ingredients, product design and health risks, the agency said. It added that it will allow the companies to keep selling their products for two years while they submit their applications, and then for an additional year while the FDA reviews the submissions.

I'm wondering just how it is that the FDA believes that it has been empowered with the ability to make law?To hell with all of these alphabet agencies that are out and out fascists

I'm concerned about what is being put into e-cigs. My brother and sister-in-law quit smoking and started on e cigs and now they are addicted to them. What's to prevent the industry from putting the same harmful and addicting chemicals into e-cigarettes? I suspect they have already begun to make them just as addictive as traditional cigarettes, but without the odorous smell.

I didn't choose to ingest this poison, I shouldn't be forced to do so by some yobbo who doesn't care what the put in their body blowing it at me in a public place. Card them at the market just like they would if it were a cigarette purchase. That works for me. You can complain about the "nanny state" all you want, but when people and corporations start actually regulating themselves with the comfort, safety and needs of those around them in mind, then we'll talk.

Quote:Card them at the market just like they would if it were a cigarette purchase. That works for me. You can complain about the "nanny state" all you want, but when people and corporations start actually regulating themselves with the comfort, safety and needs of those around them in mind, then we'll talk.

US companies have been operating for centuries unperturbed so monumentaly that now the explanation of the word 'anarchocapitalism' in wikipedia gives US companies as an example.
With the advent of social media teenage recklessness has become more obvious. Sure it was already there in the first place, but maybe now is the time to do something about it.

Is naive to put much trust in a goverment federal agency such as FDA. Their decisions could be easily influenced by political lobby. Is wiser to decide how healthy or harmful is something through a comprehensive research among different legitimate proofs submited by completely different public agencies, ONG etc.

I'm aware ecigarettes are far less harmful to traditional cigarettes since you can decide the fixed value of nicotine you mind vaping.