In light of growing debate over e-cig health hazards, both China and the United States have implemented restrictions on e-cigarettes in an attempt to curb the sale of the popular, and possibly dangerous, devices.

E-cigarettes have risen in popularity in recent years. They are frequently advertised as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, and have even been marketed as smoking cessation tools, says Vox.

However, e-cigarettes have become popular among people who did not previously smoke cigarettes, says USA Today. Unfortunately, teens may be among those who may be susceptible to e-cigarettes, as they may be attracted to the appealing flavors of e-cigarette liquid. 

In an attempt to combat this, Addiction Center reports that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will create a new policy prohibiting e-cigarette makers from selling e-cigarettes in flavors other than tobacco. 

Children and Teens Are at a Higher Risk

Addiction Center says that the Centers for Disease Control reports that the flavors are most popular among children and teenagers. After the policy is implemented, e-cigarette makers will reportedly be required to submit their e-cigarette flavors to the FDA for approval in May next year.

Addiction Center goes on to say that, according to the Health and Human Services Department, nicotine is particularly dangerous to children. Reportedly, nicotine is one of multiple e-cig health hazards — reportedly, children are more likely than adults to become addicted to nicotine in connection with their vaping use. 

According to the national Monitoring the Future survey in 2018, 42 percent of high school seniors in the U.S. have tried an e-cigarette, and 27 percent of high school seniors had smoked an e-cigarette in the month preceding the survey.

How Has the Chinese Government Addressed E-Cigarette Health Hazards?

In China, the government has taken a harsher approach to deal with the e-cigarette trend. Addiction Center says that China is the largest tobacco market in the world, with 300 million regular cigarette smokers.

JUUL, one of the most popular brands of e-cigarettes, has been expanding around the world, says Addiction Center. Reportedly, JUUL has begun selling its products in China, as well as in South Korea, Indonesia, and other Asian countries.

In China, JUUL sold its products through Tmall and JD.com, two online retailers in China. However, the sale of the e-cigarettes then closed down after only around two weeks on the market.

Addiction Center says that this could have been a move to attempt to protect Chinese citizens from e-cig health hazards. However, it could have also been an attempt to restrict competition from foreign companies, as JUUL is an American company. According to Addiction Center,there has not been an official statement about why JUUL seems to be banned, but it could be linked to the Chinese government’s regulation of the internet or the state’s monopoly over the Chinese tobacco industry.

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