FDA cracking down on e-cigarettes after health experts say more children are becoming addicted

GEORGIA — A crackdown on e-cigarettes has begun as the Federal Drug Administration is looking at banning kid-friendly flavors. That’s because by law, only adults can purchase and use the devices.

Channel 2's Sophia Choi spoke to vaping enthusiasts who say the law is unnecessary because, legally, the product can only be accessed by adults.

But even with the law in place, health experts say more and more children, as young as 11 or 12 years old, are becoming addicted to e-cigarettes.

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The devices use an inhaled aerosol to deliver nicotine and flavors such as candy, fruit or chocolate.

The FDA is now looking at banning the sweet flavors, which can lure children to the products.

Corey Hughey, the manager of a local vape store, said that’ll kill the business.

"That’s primarily what drives the vaping industry, having the different flavors," Hughey said.

A big seller these days, a vape called Juul is so discreet, it looks like a USB flash drive.

"We know at the high school level it’s about a 10 percent, and among middle school it’s about 3-4 percent," said CDC researcher Brian King. "Anecdotal reports from schools and the media indicate that youth are using these heavily both in the classroom and in bathrooms."

The CDC says the e-cigarette industry spends $125 million in ads each year and kids exposed to the ads are more likely to try it.

Hughey said he doesn’t sell to kids, but even if they’re using e-cigarettes, he believe it's got to be better than tobacco.

"Vaping has been proven, by various studies, that it actually helps people improve their health," he said.

But the CDC says any form of nicotine is bad for kids.

"Nicotine exposure can also adversely affect the developing adolescent brain," King said.

Some states have raised the legal age to buy e-cigs to 21 but Georgia is not one of them.

The federal law is 18.

Cox Media Group