WASHINGTON - (INT) - U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) sent a letter, on Wednesday, to the executives of five of the largest e-cigarette manufacturers urging them to refrain from advertising e-cigarettes on television, citing the danger of e-cigarette advertising on young people.

"Many e-cigarette advertisements currently on air make clear companies are trying to target a wider audience than what many in your industry claim is the intended market: those who are looking to quit smoking. For nearly 45 years, manufacturers of traditional cigarettes have agreed to a ban on television advertising. I merely ask that you restrict advertising of e-cigarettes in the same manner," Senator Boxer wrote.

In the letter, Senator Boxer highlighted the danger of this advertising on adolescents, and cited evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showing that e-cigarette use among high schoolers tripled from 2011 to 2013.

The Senator also criticized the companies for ignoring the increased rate of adolescent exposure to their advertising.

Story Date: April 20, 2015