E-cigarettes don’t currently require FDA approval for marketing, but concerns have been raised about the way that these manufacturers are targeting certain groups. Given the possibility of e-cigarette addiction due to the high levels of nicotine inside certain products, San Francisco might become the first city in the country to take a stand.

The 11-member Board of Supervisors in San Francisco recently all voted in favor of an ordinance that would ban sales of e-cigarette devices. This would official update the San Francisco health code to forbid the market and sale of electronic cigarettes. Flavored tobacco products would also be included in the ban if it goes through, allowing for a fine of up to $1,000 for every violation by a tobacco seller.

The ban is not intended to be a permanent requirement, according to representatives for the board of supervisors. The group takes issue with the fact that the FDA, in their opinion, hasn’t done enough due diligence on the issue. The FDA has still not completed their premarket reviews, despite the fact that hundreds of e-cigarette devices and flavored products are already available for purchase.

The action is currently pending a second vote, at which point the San Francisco mayor decides whether to veto it or sign the bill.

Concerns About Teen E-Cigarette Addiction

Some manufacturers have been accused of targeting the teen market, where the buyers might not realize the dangers of addiction to e-cigarettes. While some adults turn to these for the purpose of quitting traditional smoking, more teen users are picking up the habit of vaping without ever having smoked tobacco in the first place.

Some research shows that vaping is not even successful at curbing addiction to traditional cigarettes, since up to 90% of smokers are unable to quit after vaping for 12 months.

The possibility of addiction to e-cigarettes has prompted some parents to ask why the manufacturing company seemingly gets away with this kind of behavior, purposefully trying to appeal to teens who might not know the probability of becoming addicted.

Certain devices like JUUL contain very high levels of nicotine, which can also lead to other health effects like seizures. Parents say that children don’t have the ability to make informed decisions about using them. JUUL owns up to three-quarters of the market share for e-cigarettes currently.

The body’s brain is still growing until around age 25. This means that stronger connections are developed between someone’s brain cells every time a new skill is learned or a new memory is added. Addiction, according to the Surgeon General, is a form of learning, which means that younger users of e-cigarettes could become addicted more easily.

As more research emerges about the dangers of e-cigarette addiction and some of the health complications for younger users, consumer advocates and health experts are calling for more regulation of this industry that has become an economic force in the last several years.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.