Trump says ban of some flavored e-cigarette products could lead to illegal sales

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday expressed concerns that enacting his administration’s proposed ban on many flavored e-cigarette and vaping products would lead to people obtaining them illegally.

Trump also raised worries during a raucous meeting with public health and industry representatives that illegal e-cigarette and vaping products could be substandard.

“If you don’t give it to them, it’s going to come here illegally,” Trump said.

Seated next to U.S. Senator Mitt Romney of Utah, who wants children protected from flavored vaping products, Trump listened to the back-and-forth for nearly an hour, peppering each side with questions to try to determine the best way forward.

The Trump administration said in September it would unveil a sweeping ban on most e-cigarette and vaping flavors seen as attracting young users to addictive nicotine products. But concerns about the potential loss of jobs has prompted him to revisit the issue.

The Trump administration’s announcement that it would take action comes amid public alarm over a mysterious U.S. vaping-related respiratory illness that has sickened more than 2,000 people and killed 47.

Smittah

Article URL : https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-vaping-trump/trump-says-ban-of-some-flavored-e-cigarette-products-could-lead-to-illegal-sales-idUSKBN1XW25S