FDA to Regulate E-Cigarettes, California to Ban Tobacco Sales to Those Under 21

By Amy Orciari Herman

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

The FDA now has authority over all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes, cigars, and hookah and pipe tobacco, the agency announced on Thursday.

The finalized rule means that sales of these products — like traditional cigarettes — will be banned to those under age 18. The new age restriction will go into effect in 90 days. In addition, manufacturers will have to comply with FDA requirements, including reporting all ingredients and putting health warnings on packaging and advertisements.

In related news, California will become the second state, following Hawaii, to raise the smoking age to 21. Bills signed by the state's governor on Wednesday ban sales of both traditional tobacco products and e-cigarettes to those under 21, the New York Times reports. Active military personnel between the ages of 18 and 21 are exempt from the legislation.