E-cigs: A Changing Landscape

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The e-cig industry has been described as the "wild west." Until a few months ago there was little regulation of this wildly popular industry. Not only is the industry popular with adults, but also youth. On the 2014 HYS, 26% of 12th graders reported using an e-cig device in the past 30 days. 

 

Youth advocated in Washington state were also watching the growing trend of e-cig use among youth and pushed for legislation to regulate the industry. In April, Gov. Inslee signed SB 6328, establishing guidelines for e-cig use in public places, licenses, labeling, signage and sampling among others. Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration was released in May. Learn more about federal regulation here. 

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Local efforts are also underway to limit e-cig use in public places. While the SB 6328 prohibits e-cig use in places where kids are present, local efforts would add e-cigs to the current Smoking in Public Places legislation.  

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In the meantime, if you'd like to learn more about e-cigs visit this link to the Washington State Poison Control Center http://www.wapc.org/information/prevention/.  

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