China’s New Policy on Flavored E-Cigarettes Is a Promising Move to Protect Millions of Kids from Addiction

WASHINGTON, D.C. – China’s government has announced that it will prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarettes after May 1, a move meant to protect millions of young people from addiction. The new policy also prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors and prevents e-cigarettes from being sold near schools throughout the country. 

Tobacco and e-cigarette companies have long-used flavored products to entice kids and lure young people into lifelong addiction. There are thousands of flavored e-cigarette products around the world in flavors like “gummy bear” and “whipped cream.” Children who use e-cigarettes are more than twice as likely to use cigarettes in the future according to the World Health Organization. China’s new policy is the right move to protect Chinese kids from these addictive products.  

Governments around the world must not wait to take action on e-cigarettes. All countries must take effective action to prevent e-cigarette use among young people and keep these products from undermining global efforts to drive down tobacco use.