Research

Tobacco on the web: Surveillance and characterization of online tobacco and e-cigarette advertising – Tobacco Control. A study of online tobacco product advertising between April 2012 and April 2013 found that some e-cigarette ads featured messages of harm reduction (38%) or use for cessation (21%), and that some brands were advertised on websites with a youth (<18 years) audience of up to 35%. Researchers argue that given the reach and accessibility of online advertising to vulnerable populations and the potential for health claims to be misinterpreted, online advertisements need to be closely monitored.

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Reports

Marlboro maker Altria taking e-cigs nationally – Associated Press. Marlboro cigarette maker Altria Group Inc. said that it plans to expand its MarkTen electronic cigarette brand nationally this year after first test marketing the product in Indiana and Arizona late last year. The company recently announced it will buy e-cigarette upstart Green Smoke Inc., and rival companies Reynolds American Inc. and Lorillard have also been expanding their presence in the e-cigarette business.

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State Policy

Democratic leaders urge state attorneys general to bring e-cigarettes under Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement – U.S. Committee on Energy and Commerce. Representatives in California, Iowa, and Vermont sent a letter to their respective state attorneys general urging them to classify electronic cigarettes as cigarettes under the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) to prevent e-cigarette companies from targeting youth and getting them addicted to their products. Click here for related coverage from Law360.com.

Iowa House passes ban on e-cigarettes for minors (IA) – Des Moines Register. A ban on the purchase and possession of electronic cigarettes by Iowans under 18 passed the state House and has moved to the Senate, where similar legislation is already under discussion. Anti-smoking organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society have criticized and opposed the bill for not classifying e-cigarettes as tobacco products, a distinction that exempts them from the higher taxes levied on traditional tobacco products as well as the state’s clean indoor air law.

Lawmakers OK ban on e-cigarette sales to kids (OH) – Associated Press. Ohio lawmakers have approved a bill that aims to keep electronic cigarettes out of the hands of those under age 18. Groups such as the Ohio State Medical Association have questioned the legislation because it defines the items as “alternative nicotine products” rather than tobacco-derived products, which could exempt the products from tobacco tax laws.

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National Policy

Dems push Capitol e-cigarette ban – Politico. A group of Democratic senators is calling for a ban of e-cigarettes on U.S. Capitol grounds. Citing the House and Senate’s existing ban on smoking in public spaces, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), and Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) are calling for the same restrictions to be extended to e-cigarettes and their vapor.

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