Brief: The FDA wants electronic cigarettes categorized as a tobacco product, but retailers and smokers say that type of regulation has pros and cons.
The FDA wants electronic cigarettes categorized as a tobacco product, but retailers and smokers say that type of regulation has pros and cons.
If the FDA gets its way in a federal trial, electronic cigarettes will be subject to all the laws that pertain to tobacco products.
"I believe this should be regulated for what goes in it and for how much of the nicotine you get out of it," said Jon Spoon, of Smokin' Joe's tobacco shop.
Spoon says FDA regulations on electronic cigarettes would pose pros and cons for consumers.
"You have to go to a shop that they say is regulated to use them, which more than likely would be a tobacco store. What would that do to prices? Probably increase them because then it goes into a monopoly," Spoon explained.
His opinion doesn't waver, however, when it comes to tougher standards for quality and ingredients.
"Quality is something they should be regulated on. I think they should all have a list of exactly what's in them," Spoon said.
The electronic cigarette sold at Smokin' Joe's comes with its own atomizer, which regulates how much nicotine you take in. Once you've reached a certain limit, the battery shuts down to prevent you from a nicotine overdose.
Not every product is made this way, and that's another concern for regulators.
"Smoking is not good for you any way you put it, so if they can make it better with no cons then that would be fine, but either way it's not good for you," McKell Zeller said.
"I can see them trying to regulate it and make everybody get on the same playing field, but don't over-regulate it," Spoon said.
When asked what he would consider over-regulation, Spoon responded, "Honestly, them getting involved in it."
Spoon advises understanding the ingredients and where they've been produced if you're going to purchase electronic cigarettes.
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