Lawmakers push to roll back Obama-era e-cigarette regulations

Rep. Duncan Hunter, a long-time vaping proponent, introduced a bill Thursday aimed at loosening regulations for e-cigarette products that were tightened under the Obama administration.

The bill would reverse an Obama-era rule that categorized e-cigarettes as a tobacco product under the purview of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Hunter’s bill would exempt vaping devices from many of the rules placed on traditional tobacco products, including a two-year review process requiring FDA sign-off before new products hit the shelves.

E-cigarette makers argue the process is too expensive and would deter smokers from trying and using e-cigarettes.

E-cigarettes heat nicotine-laced liquid into vapor but do not contain actual tobacco. Proponents claim they are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes.
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