The House of Representatives passed a bill Monday to restrict online sales of vaping products and e-cigarettes.
The legislation, the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, would require an adult to sign for vaping products delivered by mail. It’s the latest measure to advance in the House with the goal of ending a vaping epidemic partly caused by flavors that appeal to kids.
“This legislation is not a silver bullet to end the youth vaping epidemic — which is why I have called for a ban on all e-cigarette products and comprehensive legislation to address the issue — but it is a good start,” said Rosa DeLauro, the Connecticut Democrat who co-sponsored the bill.
The bill extends to the liquids that go into e-cigarettes, not just the e-cigarettes themselves. For instance, Juul pods, currently available for online purchase in flavors that aren’t available in brick and mortar stores, would fall under the bill’s purview and require an adult’s signature.
The bill comes as the nation faces a spike in illnesses related to vaping. As of last week, the number of people with e-cigarette- and vaping-related lung injuries has jumped to 1,604 across 49 states, and 34 people have died. While evidence that the primary cause is bootleg THC cartridges, or e-liquids made with the psychoactive chemical found in marijuana, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has advised against using both nicotine and THC vaping liquids.