After 35 years of smoking, Ralph Easter switched to electric cigarettes in 2012 and isn’t looking back.
He was so impressed with the product, he opened two e-cigarette stores
in Alamance County, one in Gibsonville and the other in Mebane. Now,
Easter said he’s concerned about new regulations proposed on the Food
and Drug Administration and how it could impact his business.
“If something is working for people, leave it alone,” he said.
The federal proposal extends the legal definition of tobacco products
to include electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and hookah
tobacco. By expanding the statutory definition, all e-cigarettes would
come with a warning stating they contain nicotine and individuals
interested in purchasing the devices must be at least 18 years old.
E-cigarette companies would be barred from offering free samples, under
the preliminary proposal. The proposed regulations would not ban any
e-liquid flavors — which can range from vanilla and mint to
Worcestershire sauce and crab legs — but producers would be required to
provide its products' ingredients and disclose their manufacturing
process for approval.
According to Burlington-based e-cigarette liquid suppler Wil Sutton,
the regulations would “effectively destroy the industry” and prevent
small suppliers from competing in the market.
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