Bill in US Congress to ban flavours and online sales, raise age limit to 21

A bill has been proposed in the US Congress that would raise the minimum purchasing age for vapour products to 21 throughout the country, prohibit online e-cigarette sales, and ban flavours, including menthol.

The Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act of 2019, or HR 2339, was proposed by Democrat representatives Frank Pallone Jr of New Jersey and Donna Shalala of Florida. Since being introduced in the House of Representatives last week, it has been referred to the House energy and commerce committee.

The bill is structured to amend existing federal law to lift the minimum legal sales age (MLSA) for all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21 nationwide.

Additional measures in the bill would expand the regulatory role of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).