New Bill Aims to Restrict E-Cigarette Flavors

Have you ever been walking and suddenly smell something fruity? You start looking to see where it's coming from, hoping it may be candy or something of the sort, only to discover it's someone's "vape pen" and the smell is just their cloud of lies.

Well, that scenario may become a thing of the past if this new bill is passed.

Illinois Senator Dick Durbin has proposed a new bill that would impose strong restrictions to e-cigarette flavors.

The Democratic senator has said that research shows e-cigarette use by teens is at an alarming rate and over the last five years is up more than 650%.

Durbin claims the reason for the e-cigarette increased popularity with teens is the flavors that are available. He's referring to flavors like cake batter, gummy bear, and whipped cream.

Durbin stated that e-cigarettes are just a "re-invention of smoking":

"Unfortunately, kids don’t understand that e-cigarettes are highly addictive, harmful to their developing brains, and can lead to a lifetime of tobacco addiction," "These products, especially flavors that shamelessly appeal to kids, are doing more harm than good.”

If passed, The SAFE Kids Act would call for a ban on all cigar flavors.

The bill would also give manufacturers a year to provide proof their products are helping adults quit smoking. They would also have to prove they are not increasing the first use of nicotine or tobacco products in young people. Along with not increasing the risk of harm to users because of the flavors.

If these manufacturers do not meet this criteria, these products would then be pulled from the shelves.

As someone whose quit smoking cigarettes 8 years ago, I don't see how these really help in quitting smoking in the first place. Every person I've ever know to use one with that goal in mind just swapped their smokes for a vape pen.

[WIFR.com]