Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen
Podcasts AirTalk
FDA considers ban on all flavored e-cigarettes over teen use - a move that could wipe out the entire industry
solid blue rectangular banner
()
AirTalk Tile 2024
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Sep 12, 2018
Listen 16:50
FDA considers ban on all flavored e-cigarettes over teen use - a move that could wipe out the entire industry
The Food and Drug Administration has stepped into the flavored e-cigarette debate, saying that teenagers’ use of the products has reached epidemic proportions
Teens' use of vape devices is increasing, and they're not always aware if nicotine is in the mix.
Teens' use of vape devices is increasing, and they're not always aware if nicotine is in the mix.
(
Jane Khomi/Getty Images
)

The Food and Drug Administration has stepped into the flavored e-cigarette debate, saying that teenagers’ use of the products has reached epidemic proportions

The Food and Drug Administration has stepped into the flavored e-cigarette debate, saying that teenagers’ use of the products has reached epidemic proportions.

Today, the FDA sent letters to five e-cigarette manufacturers, giving them an ultimatum: 60 days to reply with a plan to curb teen use of flavored e-cigs or their products get pulled from the market.

The FDA says candy flavors are appealing to kids and are leading to a new generation of nicotine addicts. Vaping companies have argued that their flavored products help traditional cigarette smokers quit by providing a transition product that’s less harmful. They also say they market their products only to adults and that they’ve already taken steps to curb teen appeal.

What would be the public health ramifications of banning flavored vaping products?

We reached out to the FDA. They did not get back to us in time for the interview.  

Guests:

John Maa, M.D., president of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society; he tweets

Gregory Conley, founder and president of the American Vaping Association, a nonprofit group that advocates for sensible regulation of vapor products

Credits
Host, AirTalk
Host, All Things Considered, AirTalk Friday
Senior Producer, AirTalk & FilmWeek
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Associate Producer, AirTalk with Larry Mantle
Apprentice News Clerk, AirTalk
Apprentice News Clerk, FilmWeek