[Dion]

San Francisco becomes first major U.S. city to ban e-cigarette sales to combat teen vaping

San Francisco became the first major U.S. city to ban e-cigarette sales, putting itself at the center of a public health debate amid the rise of teenage vaping — even as the industry’s leading e-cig brand sits in its backyard.

An ordinance approved Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors and expected to be signed by the mayor prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes that have not undergone premarket review by federal regulators. None have. But the measure has been criticized by e-cigarette makers — including the San Francisco-based market leader Juul Labs — and some public health officials who question whether there’s any real benefit to banning the products while cigarettes — a top killer of adults in the United States — are still widely sold.

Health officials warn that nicotine can harm the development of teenagers’ brains, including parts that control attention, learning, mood and impulse control. Last year, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a 78 percent increase in vaping among high school students, and 48.5 percent for middle school students. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has sought to reduce vaping among teens, many of whom are drawn to the products for their fruity flavors and enticing advertising.

City Attorney Dennis Herrera said the measure is a step toward preventing “another generation of San Francisco children from becoming addicted to nicotine.” The ban applies to brick-and-mortar stores as well as to online purchases shipped to a San Francisco address.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/busin...=.468fb8683a16