AMA calls for greater electronic cigarette regulation

(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) has adopted several policies to improve the regulation of tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), according to an article published in the association's AMA Wire.

The AMA says that the use of e-cigarettes is not harmless and is associated with the use of combustible tobacco cigarettes in youth. Furthermore, the association say that the use of products containing nicotine in any form among youth, including e-cigarettes, is unsafe and can cause addiction.

The AMA is urging the federal government to move quickly to regulate e-cigarettes and require manufacturers to list the ingredients and nicotine content clearly on product labels, as well as a warning of the addictive quality of nicotine. In addition, the association says that the sale of any e-cigarette cartridge that does not include a complete list of ingredients on its packaging (in the order of prevalence) should be prohibited.

"We are concerned that consumers have an inaccurate reflection of the amount of nicotine and type of substances they're inhaling when using e-cigarettes," AMA President Barbara L. McAneny, M.D., said in a statement. "The AMA will continue to advocate for more stringent policies to help keep all harmful tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, out of the hands of our nation's youth."

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