Minimum age?

[riddle80]

I would post this in the Law section, but since I can't post there yet here goes .
I'm curious if there is any laws as to a minimum age for purchasing these or is it just a moral decision based on the supplier/distributor? In all that I've read about them I haven't seen anything about regulation in this way. I know here in TN you have to be at least 18 to purchase tobacco products, but I didn't know if e-cigs apply. From what I understand, they can't be controlled by the FDA because they're a substitute to smoking and not a quit smoking device, and they can't be controlled by the ATF because it doesn't contain tobacco. It seems like there would have to be some type of restrictions as far as age is concerned. Maybe I just need to brush up on my law .

I'm 28, so it really doesn't effect me. I was just wondering. Wouldn't want 12 year olds being addicted to nicotine, and if there's no law suppliers/distributors wouldn't have to ask for id right? I could see it giving e-cigs a bad reputation if kids could buy them.

Thanks in advance for you responses

 

[riddle80]

Also, I don't see how it would be possible to have a min age for the e-cigs themselves. Just the liquid and cartridges. No way they could regulate the nic free solutions right? If this really takes off and they start selling it in stores everywhere seems like this might put us in a pickle.

 

[cucurucho]

All very good points.

I think if they can ban chocolates and candies that look like cigarettes, then they could easily pass laws to prevent e-cigarette paraphernalia from being sold to kids.

 

[ZStyle81]

I think there might me an age limit on nicotine products in general. Of the many times I tried to quit smoking in the past I used nicorette, and no matter where I bought them I was asked to show my I.D. just a thought..but like you said that may be from a morality stand point on the sellers side. One of the suppliers here might know more about that since they deal with it daily and should know the laws.

 

[lull]

I know in California it's illegal to sell smoking paraphernalia (ligheters) and NRT items to minors, I'm assuming e-cigarettes would fall under those same laws.

 

[lull]

*lighters

Apparently I can't type today, haha.

 

[cucurucho]

That's crazy, so minors aren't allowed to light candles or incense? What about operating gas stoves and barbecues?

 

[Bertrand]

You'll also notice on a lot of goods that "In California" they are may cause cancers and birth defects. It's like children in the US having hardier stomachs than the UK (not for use by children under 2 in USA or under 3 in UK or whatever it is.)

IIRC California is also banning lead from keys because one woman gave her baby her keys to suck on...

 

[lull]

That's crazy, so minors aren't allowed to light candles or incense? What about operating gas stoves and barbecues?

None of the above. This is California, USA...I'm surprised it's not mandatory to wrap a child in bubble-wrap before letting them leave the house. God knows they might break...

 

[Bertrand]

Bubble wrap is legal in California?

 

[lull]

You'll also notice on a lot of goods that "In California" they are may cause cancers and birth defects. It's like children in the US having hardier stomachs than the UK (not for use by children under 2 in USA or under 3 in UK or whatever it is.)

IIRC California is also banning lead from keys because one woman gave her baby her keys to suck on...

Yeah when I was working at SCEA our building had a Prop 65 warning on it. I didn't see it until the third day I was there on my smoke break of all things haha. Said something to the effect of "Warning: This building contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm." We figured it was due to having so many electronics hooked up at one time throughout the entire building, cords heating up and what not.

 

[lull]

Surprisingly yes haha. Though I'm sure out there somewhere is someone working on getting it banned. "Bubble wrap can kill the elderly! The noise of it popping can startle them into a heart attack! We must say NO to bubble wrap!"

 

[cucurucho]

Wow, all those restrictions... and yet, Hollywood celebrities are allowed to have children.

It's an outrage!

 

[MODEL77]

Can we get a final ruling from the suppliers? I was never asked to verify my age when i purchased mine. I purchased it with a debit card, which i assume minors can get in connection to their checking accounts. How would you go about verifying age on a web store?

I was thinking about setting up shop as i instantly fell in love with my e-cig, and every time i smoke it i get asked about it! I don't however want to be open to lawsuits, or responsible for the ruination of America's youth, and bad press for a great product!

Show me the light, so i can proceed with honor and integrity!!

 

[Jammi98]

A lot of websites (not e-cig ones that I've noticed, but alcohol type) require you to input your date of birth before entering the site. I always thought this was silly, but I would assume the idea is to provide a defense in case of a lawsuit.

Big tobacco requires a ton of personal information, such as driver's license number etc, to get on their mailing lists for coupons and whatnot.

I'm sure theres a happy medium somewhere...