Portland, ME — If you want bubblegum or creme brûlée vape flavors in your preferred puff of nicotine vapor, you can still get it: so long as you’re 21 and using a larger tank vape device and not the pre-loaded, disposable vape “e-pens.”
“(The FDA is making illegal) the pre-filled, flavored vapor cartridges and cartridge systems,” said Ian, a manager at Old Port Vape shop.
In an effort to curb tobacco use among teens, the Trump administration has banned all flavors of nicotine liquids in the smaller devices except menthol and tobacco–a move aimed at deterring teens who prefer the sweet and minty taste. The FDA says the ban on the e-cigarettes’ flavors comes in part because teens have preferred the smaller devices, like JUUL, as they are easier to hide.
“JUUL Made a very convenient, minimum vapor-producing device and by association it became popular with minors because of those attributes,” said Ian.
Adult vape users can still purchase larger tank systems that require a customer to load their own e-liquid, or “juice,” into the device.
“There are also other safety systems with those other vapes. Case in point: juice bottles that you use to fill your own Vape device are childproof; JUUL cartridges are not necessarily childproof because they come out of a pack like a pack of gum,” said Ian.
But anti-tobacco advocates say the partial flavor ban won’t deter kids from vaping and at least one store owner agrees.
“Like with everything: tobacco, alcohol, drugs–if they want it they’re going to find a way to get it,” said Ryan Miniutti, owner, Mainely Vapes.
The flavor ban on e-pens is the latest push back on teen tobacco use. A new nationwide age restriction raise the age to purchase any tobacco product to 21. And Maine health officials are rolling out an education campaign this year specifically targeting teen vape use.
