Durbin Seeks Federal Regulation Of E-Cigarettes
CHICAGO (CBS) -- U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and others were calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to crack down on what they say are efforts to market electronic cigarettes to children.
WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports U.S. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) said a new report shows e-cigarette companies have boosted their marketing budgets, and seem to have their eyes on children.
"E-cigarette manufacturers don't have to play by the same rules. For example, e-cigarette makers are free to sponsor youth-oriented events, or use flavors that appeal to kids," he said.
Durbin and Waxman were leading the call for the FDA to impose restrictions on e-cigarettes.
"We're talking about advertising and sales; really, treating e-cigarettes the same as we treat tobacco products, so that they would not be advertising on mass media. They would not be selling to children. There would be warning labels," Durbin said.
E-cigarette manufacturers have insisted their products help people stop smoking, but Durbin said e-cigarettes are a "candy-flavored addiction" that is drawing more and more young people to nicotine and smoking.
"When young people start getting addicted to the drug nicotine, there are various ways to deliver that drug. E-cigarettes is now the popular fad," he said.