HHS Secretary Alex Azar Bans Electronic Cigarettes as a Ramp to Youth Drug Addiction

The Food and Drug Administration is planning to crack down on flavored electronic cigarettes since the use of the products by teenagers has increased.

US health officials said on Wednesday that the teenager was using an electronic cigarette and issued more than 1,300 warning letters and fines to entities related to the sale and marketing of electronic cigarettes to minors. They also ordered five brands of electronic cigarettes, including the JUUL vape giant, to submit plans to combat the use of their products by teenagers.

Although e-cigarettes can potentially help adults quit regular cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products, the CDC warns that they are unsafe for young people, young adults, pregnant women or adults. who do not use tobacco products.

"These alternative nicotine delivery devices can be important in helping adults get rid of combustible tobacco," Health and Social Services Secretary Alex Azar told FOX Business's Maria Bartiromo on Thursday.

"But we are not going to let electronic cigarettes become a ramp for our young people to become addicted to nicotine and potentially turn into flammable tobacco – which will not happen."

Electronic cigarettes are thought to be less harmful than regular cigarettes, but the impact of their long-term use is still unclear.