New York (AFP)
Donald Trump said Monday he would meet with the e-cigarettes sector to find an "acceptable solution" to the "dilemma" of vaping, at the center of a standoff between manufacturers and US health authorities.
"I will be meeting with representatives of the vaping industry, medical professionals and government officials to come up with an acceptable solution to the e-cigarette and e-cigarette dilemma," the US president wrote on Twitter. participate in a tribute ceremony to veterans in New York.
"The health and safety of children, with jobs, will be priorities," he added.
The e-cigarette has been at the center of controversy since 2,000 US vapers contracted a lung disease that left 39 dead. Health authorities have questioned vitamin E oil apparently added to cannabis refills sold on the black market.
The vaping industry is also accused of targeting particularly young people with flavored refills and making them dependent on nicotine.
A decision is expected this week at the White House on the ban on these flavors - with the exception of tastes tobacco and menthol - announced in September to reduce the vaping of young people.
Donald Trump said Friday he also wants to raise the minimum age to buy electronic cigarettes in the United States from 18 to 21 years.
The industry leader in the country, Juul, had announced the day before the cessation of the sale of mint flavored refills, after the publication of a study showing that it was the favorite taste of American high school students.
The vaping advocates caution against the financial blow to the industry if the ban is upheld, and the importance of e-cigarettes to deter former smokers from returning.
"It would do a lot of harm to the sector and could put some bankrupt," said AFP Johann Phipps, owner of an e-cigarette shop in Texas, who demonstrated Saturday in front of the White House.
"Tobacco and menthol may be one percent of our sales, while about 85 percent are fruit flavors," he added.
© 2019 AFP