Earlier this month, officials in San Francisco proposed a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes “until the federal government regulates vaping products.” Three major cities in the United States—San Francisco, New York, and Chicago—have teamed up and sent a letter to the FDA demanding an evaluation of the effects of e-cigarettes on the health of Americans, especially youth. In turn, the FDA has “released proposed guidelines giving companies until 2021 to submit applications for the evaluation.”

Although these steps should have been taken before e-cigarettes entered the market, which would have been helpful to prevent millions of youth becoming addicted to ENDS products, these steps are nonetheless crucial now to reduce the number of future teens who become hooked on ENDS. San Francisco is leading the way in this and other anti-smoking efforts: the city bans smoking on public places and does not allow smokeless tobacco to be used. It also “has introduced legislation that bars making, selling or distributing tobacco on city property.” Interestingly, Juul, one of the most successful e-cigarette companies, has space rented in San Francisco (more specifically Pier 70). The battle between the company and lawmakers continues. While Juul argues that the proposed legislation limits choices for current smokers, anti-smoking advocates say that they help to reduce addiction in youth and reduce a public health epidemic.

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