Democrats Issue Report Claiming E-Cigs Targeted at Youth

Democratic members of Congress have issued a report which they say shows that electronic cigarette companies have been targeting young people.

The report, entitled “Gateway to Addiction? A Survey of Popular Electronic Cigarette Manufacturers and Targeted Marketing to Youth” was based on an inquiry led by Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), including a survey of nine major e-cigarette brands, to which eight responded.

“[The] FDA should ban and companies should cease marketing e-cigarettes in ways that are attractive to children and teens under the age of 18, such as the use of characterizing flavors that appeal to children and teens, distributing free samples of e-cigarettes, and product promotion through social media, sponsorship of events, and other activities that are intended for a youth audience.”

The primary basis of the claim that e-cigarettes are marketed toward youth appears to be that six of the companies said they had sponsored events such as parties, sports events or music festivals, and that eight had given away free samples of their products.

The report further cites the use of flavors “such as strawberry, grape or chocolate” which “appear to be designed to appeal to youth,” advertising via social media and the use of celebrity spokespeople as evidence that e-cigarettes are marketed toward young people.

The ties between sponsored events and youth are a bit tenuous, with the report including events unlikely to be attended by youth, such as DJ appearances at night clubs, smokers’ gatherings, pub crawls, and a great many other adult-oriented events. Most of the events listed in the report, in fact, seem to be events of this type.

With the FDA still not having issued rules for the sale and use of electronic cigarettes, congressional Democrats seem to be increasing the pressure on the agency, urging the swift issuance of regulations, and a ban on “flavors that appeal to children and teens,” and the distribution of free samples.  The report also calls for bans on promotion through television and radio, social media and event sponsorship.

Gateway to Addiction?

Democrats Issue Report Claiming E-Cigs Targeted at Youth