Councilman wants to ban sales of e-cigs to minors in Philly

Philadelphia City Council will consider outlawing sales of electronic cigarettes to kids.

Councilman William Greenlee has proposed the bill, saying not enough is known about electronic cigarettes, or E-cigs to allow teens to buy them.

“There are still some questions about the pluses, minuses or neutrals if you will about electronic cigarettes,” Greenlee said. “There are enough questions about possible health effects that we certainly think children should not be allowed to buy them.”

Greenlee says the questions arise over whether there is anything toxic in them.

“Electronic cigarettes can be filled in different ways, there’s enough of a concern that children should not have the certainly very possible negative effects that electronic cigarettes can give.”

If the bill is approved you would have to be at least 18 to buy the E-cigs. Those younger than 27 would have to prove their age to do so just as with conventional cigarettes.