State race to regulate e-cigarettes

California declared e-cigarettes a health threat and issued a 21-page report warning young people could become nicotine addicts if lawmakers don’t step in to regulate the fast-growing industry soon.

A record 60-plus bills designed to rein in the fast-growing vapor industry are being considered in 21 state legislatures spanning from Oregon to Virginia. This is a major increase from a year ago when 11 bills related to e-cigarettes were under consideration across 10 states, according to the Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives Association, an e-cigarette advocacy group.

E-cigarette legislative challenges include Oregon bills banning flavors and online sales, an Indiana bill that would require pricey permits for retailers selling liquid nicotine, and a California bill banning e-cigarettes in public places.