Protecting Teens From the Allure of E-Cigs

Nearly five years after gaining the authority to regulate electronic cigarettes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finally exercised it. It should ignore the vape screen of objections from the fast-growing $3 billion industry and proceed as quickly as possible with its plan to outlaw sales to those under 18 and require manufacturers to say exactly what’s in the things and how they work.

Putting the rules into effect is expected to take at least a year, and even then certain safeguards that are crucial to preventing e-cigarette use by children will need to be written. These include bans on candy flavorings in the nicotine concoctions that e-cigs vaporize and prohibitions against television advertising and sponsorship of music festivals and other events that kids are likely to attend.