New FDA regulation prohibits youth purchase of E-Cigarettes

May 5, 2016  | By CATCH Global Foundation

On May 5, 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a rule extending its authority to ALL tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars, hookah tobacco and pipe tobacco, among others.

This historic rule helps implement the bipartisan Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009 and allows the FDA to improve public health and protect future generations from the dangers of tobacco use through a variety of steps, including restricting the sale of these tobacco products to minors nationwide.

Before this ruling, there was NO federal law prohibiting retailers from selling e-cigarettes, hookah tobacco or cigars to people under age 18. This rule changes that with provisions aimed at restricting youth access, which go into effect in 90 days.

Provisions of the new FDA rule include:
• Not allowing products to be sold to persons under the age of 18 years (both in person and online);
• Requiring age verification by photo ID;
• Not allowing the selling of covered tobacco products in vending machines (unless in an adult-only facility); and
• Not allowing the distribution of free samples.
• (Effective May 2018) Mandatory warning labels that these products contain nicotine, an addictive substance.

Learn more about the FDA ruling on the FDA Website.