Senate Dems criticize liquid-nicotine packaging

Senate Democrats are pressuring the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate more than a hundred liquid-nicotine companies for deceptive practices.

{mosads}These companies are targeting children by advertising popular candy, breakfast cereal and other food and drink brands on liquid-nicotine packages, the lawmakers warn.

“Use of these trademarked images in this manner appears intended to make the liquid-nicotine products attractive to younger smokers and perhaps even to children,” the Democrats wrote in a letter to FTC chairwoman Edith Ramirez.

Liquid nicotine is used inside electronic cigarettes. It “poses an especially serious threat to children,” the lawmakers say. “Ingesting as little as one-half teaspoon of liquid nicotine can cause severe stomach aches, vomiting, seizures, increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, and even death.”

The Senate Democrats who signed the letter include Ed Markey (Mass.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Jack Reed (R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (Conn.), Al Franken (Minn.), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Barbara Boxer (Calif.), Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Patty Murray (Wash.).