COLORADO SPRINGS — The age limit to buy tobacco products was officially raised to 21 years old before the new year, and now the Food and Drug Administration is getting ready to temporarily ban flavored vaping products.
This ban is all in an effort to stop nicotine from getting into the hands of teens.
Monica Clayton, the owner of American Vape at Chapel Hills Mall, said she wasn't given any notice about the changes and has already had to turn several customers away.
"In the dark of the night, the FDA decides to just change the age," Clayton said. "There was no grace period and no implementation."
Clayton said many of her regulars are in the military and they were shocked when she told them they couldn't purchase products if they weren't 21.
"They can literally fight for their country, but they can't buy a vape legally," Clayton said.
News5 spoke to 20-year-old Summer Cannon who used to be a regular at American Vape.
Cannon said she can wait one more year to buy vape products, but others will always find a way around the new law.
"It's not going to change anything. Kids are going to find people to buy it and people are going to find ways to get IDs," Cannon said.
Starting in May, the FDA will review all e-cigarettes and only those with "proven benefits to public health" will be allowed to stay on the market.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, e-cigarette use among high school students has skyrocketed since 2015. One reason young people are attracted to vaping products is because they come in enticing flavors that appeal to teens, which is why the government wants to step in now.
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