Audience Pediatric healthcare professionals and consumers

Posted 07/22/2009 FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that a laboratory analysis of electronic cigarette samples has found that they contain carcinogens and toxic chemicals such as diethylene glycol, an ingredient used in antifreeze. Electronic cigarettes, also called “e cigarettes,” are battery operated devices that generally contain cartridges filled with nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. The electronic cigarette turns nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user. These products are marketed and sold to young people and are readily available online and in shopping malls. They are also available in different flavors, such as chocolate and mint, which may appeal to young people.

The FDA s Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis analyzed the ingredients in a small sample of cartridges from two leading brands of electronic cigarettes. In one sample, the FDA s analyses detected diethylene glycol, a chemical used in antifreeze that is toxic to humans, and in several other samples, the FDA analyses detected carcinogens, including nitrosamines. These products do not contain any health warnings comparable to FDA approved nicotine replacement products or conventional cigarettes. Because these products have not been submitted to the FDA for evaluation or approval, at this time the agency has no way of knowing, except for the limited testing it has performed, the levels of nicotine or the amounts or kinds of other chemicals that the various brands of these products deliver to the user.

Health care professionals and consumers may report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of e cigarettes to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

07/22/2009 Information on E cigarettes FDA

Tobacco retailers and the fda

European lawmakers reject tight restrictions on e-cigarettes В» a public participation forum for the fda center for tobacco products and its federal advisory committee (tpsac)

Do you sell tobacco products? Then you must comply with these federal laws.

11.9999 Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 On June 22, 2010, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a rule that restricts the sale, distribution, and marketing of cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products to protect children and adolescents. The rule is required by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act and is intended to protect kids by making tobacco products less accessible and attractive to them.

  • Check photo ID of everyone appearing under age 27 who attempts to purchase cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, or smokeless tobacco.
  • Only sell cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco to anyone age 18 or older.
  • Only sell cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco in a direct, face to face exchange.
  • Do NOT break open cigarette or smokeless tobacco packages to sell products in smaller amounts.
  • Do NOT sell cigarette packages containing fewer than 20 cigarettes.
  • Do NOT sell single cigarettes, also called “loosies”.
  • Do NOT give away free samples of cigarettes.
  • Do NOT give away free samples of smokeless tobacco except from a “qualified adult only facility.”
  • Do NOT sell flavored cigarettes or flavored cigarette tobacco (other than menthol).

This is only a summary of the laws. For the full list of federal laws, visit
Retailers must also follow state tobacco laws, even if they are more restrictive. For example, in some states the minimum age is 19.
The sale of cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and smokeless tobacco through vending machines and self service displays are allowed in adult only facilities where no person younger than 18 is permitted to enter. Please note that tobacco product vending machines are banned in some states.



Why Are These Laws Important?

These laws are designed to make regulated tobacco products less accessible and less attractive to youth. Every day nearly 3,800 kids try their first cigarette and 1,000 kids become daily smokers. Many of these children will become addicted before they are old enough to understand the risks, and they will ultimately die of tobacco related diseases. As a retailer, you play an important role in protecting children and adolescents by complying with the law.

Join Us in Breaking the Chain of Tobacco Addiction

Join the FDA retailer education campaign, Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction. Visit for free training, tools, tips, resources, and contests. Visit the FDA Center for Tobacco Products Clearinghouse to order eye catching promotional materials including the Break the Chain of Tobacco Addiction campaign materials.