CENTRAL FLORIDA — Over the years, electronic cigarettes or E-cigarettes have helped thousands of people quit smoking.
But the device that's used to break the habit for so many, may be causing a habit for teens too young to buy cigarettes.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of middle and high school students who have picked up smoking E-cigarettes has doubled since last year, despite the fact that the number of minors smoking cigarettes has gone down.
Part of that reason may be because nearly half of the United States doesn't have laws preventing kids from buying the devices.
Dave Allen, manager at E-smoker Online, said he believes the devices should not be in the hands of kids, and bans minors from buying them in his store.
"Whenever anybody who looks of a questionable age comes in, we absolutely card them. I encourage my employees to card them. We know we don't have to, but we know it's the right thing to do," said Allen.
State Representatives Lizbeth Benacquisto and Kelli Stargel said they are hoping to get the rest of Florida doing the same thing. They've drafted a bill that would prevent minors from getting their hands on the device.
"They should make it the same as cigarettes," said E-smoker Karen Davis.
"Yeah, kids should not be smoking," said E-smoker Steve Davis
"Honestly, I encourage it. I am concerned that it is kind of a slippery slope of regulation," said Allen.
The flavored liquids smoked in the device can come without nicotine.
If the bill passes, it would go into effect next July.
WFTV
