The FDA has been making rumblings about regulating e-cigarettes for some time now. Today, they published their proposal [pdf]. It’s 241 pages, but this is what I’ve gathered on first pass:
Expect a ban the sale of e-liquid to minors via the internet, but not to adults. There’s no call for ban on those candy-flavored liquids that supposedly reel children into the habit. It doesn’t look like they’re going after liquid nicotine, either.
There are calls for labeling standards, but the industry never really opposed that. As far as the hardware goes, it looks like it will be exempt:
For purposes of this part, FDA considers any loose tobacco, including pipe tobacco, and the nicotine in e-cigarette cartridges to be within the definition of “covered tobacco product.” FDA proposes to treat covered tobacco products in a manner consistent with FDA’s treatment of cigarettes and smokeless tobacco throughout part 1140. In current part 1140, FDA imposes restrictions on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco, but not on the components, parts, and accessories of such products.
Continued...