FDA eyes big restrictions on e-cig sales

RATES OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG U.S. ADULTS AGE 18 AND OLDER. (CDC)

The FDA is planning to severely restrict e-cigarette products across the country, the Washington Post reports. As soon as next week, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb is expected to announce a ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes in convenience stores across the country, senior agency officials say. Flavored vapes account for a large share of climbing e-cig sales. The FDA could also establish age verification requirements for online e-cig retailers, according to agency officials. The crackdown comes as rates of e-cigarette use among young people are soaring — preliminary data suggest 3.5 million minors vaped in early 2018.

Meanwhile, the CDC just reported that tobacco use among U.S. adults has hit a record low. About 14 percent of adults said they used tobacco in the last month in 2017, down from 15.5 percent the year before.