U.S. regulators ban e-cigarette, cigar sales to people under 18

WASHINGTON: U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday banned sales of all e-cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco and hookah tobacco to people under age 18 and ordered manufacturers to submit these products to the regulatory agency for review.

The FDA's regulation had been highly anticipated after the agency issued a proposed rule two years ago on how to regulate the $3 billion e-cigarette industry and these other products.

The FDA said in a statement the regulations will bring these products in line with how it oversees other tobacco products such as cigarettes, smokeless tobacco and roll-your-own tobacco.

In addition to banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, the FDA will require companies to register with the FDA, provide the agency with a list of product ingredients and place health warnings on their product packages and in advertisements.

The agency established a staggered review period for products introduced after Feb. 15, 2007, of between 12 and 24 months.