FDA Proposes Stricter Rules for Flavored Electronic Cigarettes

The FDA also advances the deadline for commercial applications until August 8, 2021, a full year earlier than in a previous proposal.

Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is not afraid of the potential impact of the new rules. Some flavored e-cigs would only be sold by methods that prevent sale to children, he said, while some aromas could quite leave the market. Nor would the FDA preclude measures to be taken in the event of increased demand from young people for "ordinary" electronic cigarettes.

The rules are open to public comment for the next 30 days. If they are finalized as is, they could have a significant impact on where you can buy flavored electronic cigarettes – you may not see them in convenience stores, for example. Not that the FDA risks shedding a tear. He accused brands such as Juul of sabotaging attempts to reduce the use of e-cigarettes by teens and clearly felt that tighter rules were needed to control sellers.