The FDA just unveiled exactly how it plans to combat teen vaping. In a new policy announcement, the agency focused on tightening restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes in a few ways. First, the regulations would limit sales of most flavored vape products to retailers and websites that impose strict age-verification processes. Tobacco, mint and menthol flavors would be excluded, because health experts says those flavors help adult smokers transition away from traditional cigarettes. The policy would also stop sales of e-cigarette products that appeal to minors, like those made to look like candy or juices. In addition, it moves up the e-cigarette FDA review process by one year, cutting off a previous extension. According to the agency, companies that don't comply with the new guidelines could have their products pulled off the market altogether. Combating the youth vaping trend is a topic outgoing FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has made a priority during his time leading the agency. Under Gottlieb, federal health regulators have been implementing initiatives to crack down on e-cigarette makers in an effort to curb what the FDA's called "epidemic" teen vaping levels. Roughly 3.6 million middle and high school students reported that they were currently using vape products in 2018. It's also an issue that has interested Washington recently. Just this week, the Trump administration's 2020 budget included a request for a new user fee on e-cigarettes to bolster the FDA's efforts. The draft guidance from the FDA will be open for public comment for 30 days before it's finalized. Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
FDA Unveils New E-Cigarette Policies Aimed At Curbing Teen Vaping
The agency wants to implement guidelines that tighten restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes.

US surgeon general: Social media needs a mental health warning label
The U.S. surgeon general shared his concerns about social media's effect on youth mental health with a Senate panel on Thursday.

How to further protect yourself from wildfire smoke while indoors
The issue is the very fine particulate matter that gets inhaled. Breathing that in, even in small amounts, should be avoided.

'We don't deliver babies here': Hospitals turn away pregnant patients
A Scripps News Investigation uncovers hundreds of pregnant people being turned away at hospital emergency departments, in violation of federal law.
Top Stories

President Biden hosts UK PM for talks on economy, Ukraine and AI
President Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak focused their meeting on economic and defense issues.

NOAA says an unusually early El Nino is on the way
An earlier start to El Nino makes 2023 more likely to be one of the warmer years on record.

Amid western water crisis, rising river brings rafting opportunity
At a canyon campground about half an hour from the town of Cortez, about a dozen rafts and boats stand ready to trek the Dolores River.