US Wants Stronger Regulations for E-Cigarettes

The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) has strongly recommended that  the minimum age to purchase tobacco products - including e-cigarettes  - should be increased to 21 years nationwide.

In a comprehensive set  of policies announced on Monday, the AAP has stressed the need to  protect youngsters from ill-effects of tobacco and nicotine.

"Tobacco use continues to be a major health threat to children, adolescents and  adults," said Karen M. Wilson from Children's Hospital Colorado.

"The developing brains of children and teens are particularly vulnerable to  nicotine, which is why the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among  adolescents is so alarming and dangerous to their long-term health,"  Wilson said.

The AAP has urged the US Federal Food and Drug  Administration (FDA) to regulate e-cigarettes and other electronic  nicotine delivery systems the same as other tobacco products.

This includes age restrictions, taxes, bans on advertising to youth, and  bans on flavoured products that are particularly attractive to youth.

Child-resistant packaging is critically needed to protect curious young children from  exposure to liquid nicotine, according to the AAP.

Liquid nicotine is extremely toxic; as little as half a teaspoon can be fatal if ingested by an average sized toddler.

In 2014, there were more than 3,000 calls to the US poison control centres for liquid nicotine exposure, and one toddler died.

The AAP recommends smoke-free laws that already govern second hand smoke be expanded to include e-cigarettes.

"Protecting children from tobacco products is one of the most important things that a society can do to protect children's health," the AAP policy  statement read.