Southwest Florida vaping stores are bracing for more regulations from the Food and Drug Administration.
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Effective August 8th, any store selling e-cigarette products and accessories will have to card anyone who appears under the age of 27.
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"As of Monday, there will be no more free sampling of any e-liquids," said Laura Kaman, who owns three Vape King stores in Southwest Florida.
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She says all three of her stores have been bracing for the new changes, which also include stocking liquids with only tamper resistant packages. The nicotine inside those packages can be harmful to kids.
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"It was a few thousand dollars just like that," said Kaman, on the cost of replacing those containers.
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Earlier this year, the FDA began regulating e-cigarettes like traditional tobacco. Critics say these vaping products are falling into the hands of children.
"Calls to poison control centers have gone up, because young kids are getting their hands on these e-cigarettes most of them are in assorted flavors," said Anna Demercurio, Assistant Director of Drug Free Collier.
Demercurio agrees with the new regulations, which also ban stores from giving away free samples of the juices.
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She says tobacco use among teens is decreasing, yet vaping is increasing, so kids are getting the products from somewhere.
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"So whether or not these youth are accessing it from older adults, friends, taking them from parents, that's not certain."
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Kaman is certain no products from her store are sold to minors, she understands the need for laws, but she's worried if the government goes overboard it could snuff out the vaping industry.
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"I think it's important obviously, that vaping stays available, so that people can quit smoking."
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Kaman told Fox 4, she expects more FDA regulations to come down on the e-cigarette industry by the end of the year.
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