The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to ban the sale of certain e-cigarette flavors — except tobacco and menthol flavors — this week.
The proposed ban would target “minty and fruity” flavored vape pods, which are small, refillable containers that contain vaping liquids popular among teens. The prohibition would not affect so-called “open tank” systems commonly sold at vape shops, according to the Washington Post.
The prohibition is seen as a compromise between the Trump administration officials, which has expressed a desire to stem the tide of nicotine addiction among youth, and those in the White House who are concerned the move would impact Trump’s chances in the 2020 election, according to the Wall Street Journal. Industry officials also raised concerns about the impact the ban would have on small businesses.
Trump has been weighing a national ban on flavored e-cigarette products, with the exception of tobacco- and menthol-flavored vapes, and is expected to take action sometime this week. Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar announced plans for the ban in September in an effort to curb youth vaping.
As part of those proposed federal regulations, Trump has also considered raising to legal age to purchase e-cigarette products from 18 to 21.
To date, thousands have been sickened by a national outbreak of vaping-related lung illness that has resulted in dozens of deaths, including three in Massachusetts.
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