WASHINGTON — The Food and Drug Administration’s move to regulate e-cigarettes drew criticism Thursday from some public health advocates, who said the regulations do not go far enough to protect young consumers.
The proposed rule would for the first time allow the government to limit the manufacture and sale of e-cigarettes, as well as cigars and pipe tobacco. Sales to minors would be banned and health warning labels required.
But the new rules would not ban online sales or restrict youth-friendly flavors such as watermelon and peppermint. Nor would it forbid television commercials. Public health advocates had called for such additional restrictions.
“Shame on the FDA,” said Sen. Richard J. Durbin, D-Ill., who called the rules a “political compromise.”