KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 12 – US president Donald Trump has called for a ban on flavoured vape products after six people died from lung disease linked to vaping that also saw over 450 hospitalised.
“We have a problem in our country. It’s a new problem. It’s a problem nobody really thought about too much a few years ago and it’s called vaping, especially vaping as it pertains to innocent children,” Trump was quoted as saying by The Huffington Post.
Trump’s announcement comes a few days after US First Lady Melania Trump expressed her concern about children using the devices, which have soared in popularity in recent years, especially among teens.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said on Twitter that Trump, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and himself are currently finalising policies that will remove vape pens and e-cigarettes from the market.
The Huffington Post mentioned that it is unclear it the FDA will follow through with the directive.
It is noted that the ban will hurt businesses since it would only allow companies to sell unflavoured vaping products, which are thought to appeal less to children.