Flavor Ban: Trump administration taking positive step to curb underage vaping

With the recent spate of lung problems traced to vaping devices, more and more health professionals have voiced concerns over the practice.

And though e-cigarettes and the like are only supposed to be sold to those over 18 years of age - 21 in some states including Arkansas and Texas - much of the concern is about younger people taking up the habit. While brick-and-mortar stores can be checked to ensure they are enforcing age restrictions, online sales pose more of a problem. Especially when retailers are located outside the U.S.

There has long been concern that companies in the industry use flavorings to attract younger people to vaping. The "juice" used in the devices comes in a wide array of tasty flavors, such as bubble gum, candy and various fruits.

Vaping companies deny they are targeting young people. Now it looks like they won't have to bother to deny it.

The Trump administration announced Wednesday it is preparing to ban all non-tobacco flavorings from vaping juice within the next 30 days. That includes menthol, common in real cigarettes.

Some may argue the ban denies adults their choice of vaping flavor. And that's true. But in our view protecting children from developing addiction to nicotine outweighs that concern.

This is a positive step. It won't solve all the problems of youth vaping, but it's a start.

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