USA Today reports that the city of San Francisco is looking to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes until they can be regulated by the federal government. Citywide legislation was introduced by San Francisco Supervisor Shamann Walton in an effort to ‘curb teen cheap vape deals use’. The legislation includes a plan to block making, selling and distribution of tobacco products on city property and is clearly targeting JUUL Labs, whose headquarters are based within the city.
During a recent San Francisco City Attorney Press Conference video that was shared to Twitter yesterday, Walton states, “We don’t want them in our city.” Walton also stated in this video that he is “really sick and tired of the predatory practices for our young people where people who are trying to set them up for bad habits for a lifetime. This has to stop, and e-cigarettes are contributing to that.
” If the measure is approved, it will be the first nationally that prevents adults from buying e-cigarettes online or at stores inside of the largest city in northern California until the FDA can evaluate e-cigarettes effect on public health. A restriction of this magnitude would enhance and expand upon the city’s aggressive stance on vaping regulations. Last year, San Francisco voters indorsed the city’s ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, which included vaping products. City Attorney Dennis Herrera sent a joint letter with Chicago and New York demanding the FDA evaluate the public health risks posed by e-cigarettes.
He said the agency should have reviewed the products before stores began selling them. The FDA did not respond to a request for comment on the letter. Vaping supporters argued the city’s proposal would unjustly target vaping products, which help adult smokers quit.
 American Vaping Association President Greg Conley told USA Today that, “Cigarettes and cigars with well-documented health risks could be sold more widely as a result.” Conley went on to say, “No youth should vape, but no politician should try to enact modern-day prohibition. It is hard for San Francisco to get even more absurd, but this proposal and the rhetoric around it is absolutely insane.”