Bill would ban sale of e-cigarettes to kids

COLUMBIA (AP) — A House panel has advanced a bill designed to keep electronic cigarettes out of juvenile’s hands.

The bill approved Wednesday adds electronic cigarettes to the law barring the sale or distribution of tobacco products to anyone under 18.

The alternative cigarettes are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine solution and create vapor that users inhale. Currently, anyone can buy them because they’re not classified as tobacco products.

House Majority Leader Bruce Bannister of Greenville says he has no evidence that teen use is a problem yet. Bannister says he received calls from constituents as well as industry representatives who want to be proactive in preventing kids from using e-cigs as cigarettes.

No one spoke against the bill, which goes to the full Judiciary Committee.