The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed new rules on Thursday that, among other things, would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to anyone under 18.
If approved, the long-awaited proposals would put the $2 billion e-cigarette industry under federal regulation for the first time.
Public health advocates, like Chris Bostic in New York, say the proposed new rules don't go far enough.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHRIS BOSTIC, DEPUTY DIRECTOR, POLICY AT ACTION ON SMOKING AND HEALTH, SAYING:
"The biggest gaps are they're not going to ban candy flavorings in e-cigarettes and they're not going to do anything to regulate the marketing of e-cigarettes on television, radio and print ads. So they're some major gaps that could be a big threat to public health."
Advocates like Bostic say a new generation of young people are being introduced to conventional cigarettes through e-cigarettes, when little is known about the long term health effects of the electronic devi
