The decision to ban flavored e-cigarettes on the federal level comes in the wake of six vaping-related deaths and at least 450 cases of lung illnesses that may be tied to vaping.
No single device, ingredient or additive has been identified.
Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar says the Food and Drug Administration will develop guidelines to remove all e-cigarette flavors from the market, especially those favored by children. "All flavored e-cigarettes other than tobacco flavored cigarettes would have to be removed from the market. Tobacco flavored e-cigarettes, their manufacturers would by May 2020 have to file for approval from the FDA of their products," says Azar.
The FDA regulates e-cigarettes and has authority to ban vaping flavors, but has resisted calls to take that step.
Instead, the agency has said it is studying the role of flavors in vaping products, including whether they help adult smokers quit traditional cigarettes. They say it will take several weeks to develop proposed flavor restrictions--which will be subject to public input before taking effect.
In Yonkers, a proposed bill is going to a final vote scheduled for next week.
AP wires contributed to this report.