The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently took proactive measures to protect children from the illegal sale of e-liquids, e-cigarettes and cigars.
To accomplish this, the FDA has issued its first warning letters to retailers selling newly regulated tobacco products. These 55 tobacco retailers are now prohibited from selling the new items to minors.
Approximately one month ago, the FDA started to enforce new federal regulations that are designed to limit the nationwide sale of hookah tobacco, e-cigarettes, cigars and other new tobacco products. Now these items are illegal if sold to anyone under 18 years old. Retailers need to check individuals’ photo IDs to guarantee that they are of age to purchase these items.
“We’re helping protect the health of America’s youth by enforcing restrictions that make it illegal to sell tobacco products to minors -- including e-cigarettes, e-liquids and cigars,” Dr. Mitch Zeller, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said. “Retailers play a vital role in keeping harmful and addictive tobacco products out of the hands of children and we urge them to take that responsibility seriously. It’s clear from these initial compliance checks that there’s a need for strong federal enforcement of these important youth access restrictions.”
