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San Francisco becomes first US city to ban e-cigarettes San Francisco becomes first US city to ban e-cigarettes
(32 minutes later)
San Francisco has become the first US city to ban e-cigarette sales until their health effects are clearer.San Francisco has become the first US city to ban e-cigarette sales until their health effects are clearer.
Officials on Tuesday voted to ban stores selling the vaporisers and made it illegal for online retailers to deliver to addresses in the city.Officials on Tuesday voted to ban stores selling the vaporisers and made it illegal for online retailers to deliver to addresses in the city.
San Francisco is home to Juul Labs, the most popular e-cigarette producer in the US. The California city is home to Juul Labs, the most popular e-cigarette producer in the US.
Firms are accused of targeting young people, but Juul says e-cigarettes help people switch from regular tobacco. Juul said the move would drive smokers back to cigarettes and "create a thriving black market".
San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, has 10 days to sign off the legislation, but has indicated that she would. The law would begin to be enforced seven months from that date, although there have been reports firms could mount a legal challenge.San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, has 10 days to sign off the legislation, but has indicated that she would. The law would begin to be enforced seven months from that date, although there have been reports firms could mount a legal challenge.
Earlier this year the US Food and Drug Administration, the national regulator, issued proposed guidelines giving companies until 2021 to apply to have their e-cigarette products evaluated.
A deadline had initially been set for August 2018, but the agency later said that more preparation time was needed.
Anti-vaping activists say firms deliberately target young people by offering flavoured products. Critics say that not only is more scientific investigation into the health impact needed, vaping can encourage young people to switch to cigarettes.Anti-vaping activists say firms deliberately target young people by offering flavoured products. Critics say that not only is more scientific investigation into the health impact needed, vaping can encourage young people to switch to cigarettes.
Earlier this year the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the national regulator, issued proposed guidelines giving companies until 2021 to apply to have their e-cigarette products evaluated.
A deadline had initially been set for August 2018, but the agency later said that more preparation time was needed.
San Francisco's City Attorney, Dennis Herrera, who campaigned for a ban, praised the move and said it was necessary because of what he called an "abdication of responsibility" by the FDA in regulating e-cigarettes.
Tobacco deathsTobacco deaths
The firms, however, say their products can help people give up regular tobacco.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of US teenagers who admitted using nicotine products rose about 36% last year, something it attributed to a growth in e-cigarette use.According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of US teenagers who admitted using nicotine products rose about 36% last year, something it attributed to a growth in e-cigarette use.
Under federal law, the minimum age to buy tobacco products is 18 years, although in California and several other states it is 21.Under federal law, the minimum age to buy tobacco products is 18 years, although in California and several other states it is 21.
Juul previously said it supported cutting vaping among young people but only in conjunction with tougher measures to stop them accessing regular cigarettes.Juul previously said it supported cutting vaping among young people but only in conjunction with tougher measures to stop them accessing regular cigarettes.
The company's small device, just longer than a flash drive, has about 70% of the US vaping market.The company's small device, just longer than a flash drive, has about 70% of the US vaping market.
The firm said in a statement several weeks ago: "This proposed legislation begs the question - why would the city be comfortable with combustible cigarettes being on shelves when we know they kill more than 480,000 Americans per year?" Juul spokesman Ted Kwong said: "This full prohibition will drive former adult smokers who successfully switched to vapor products back to deadly cigarettes, deny the opportunity to switch for current adult smokers, and create a thriving black market instead of addressing the actual causes of underage access and use.
Juul had yet to comment on Tuesday's decision. "We have already taken the most aggressive actions in the industry to keep our products out of the hands of those underage and are taking steps to do more."
He said traditional tobacco will "remain untouched by this legislation, even though they kill 40,000 Californians every year".
Juul, 35%-owned by Marlboro maker Altria Group, has already withdrawn popular flavours such as mango and cucumber from retail stores and closed its social media channels on Instagram and Facebook.