New legislation would ban marketing of e-cigarettes to children

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Congresswoman Jackie Speier announced legislation that would make it illegal to sell and market e-cigarettes to children.

Speier's bill would extend the same current Food and Drug Administration regulations of tobacco products to e-cigarettes.

Speier, D-Calif., says it would amend the FDA's e-cigarette proposal, which she says doesn't go far enough.

"They don't address fundamental issues with this product such as the lack of child-proof packaging, the regulation of flavoring that attracts children, and the aggressive advertising to children," Speier said.

An American Academy of Pediatrics study says youth exposure to e-cigarette TV ads has increased 256 percent in the last two years.

In that time, use among teens has more than doubled.

Speier says the products are currently marketed with flavors such as 'Cherry Crush,' 'Vivid Vanilla,' 'Cotton Candy,' and even 'Gummy Bear' -- all meant to attract young people.