CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Electronic cigarette brand blu eCigs has announced its support for a new law prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors in the state of South Carolina.
The purchase or sale of e-cigarettes to people in South Carolina under age 18 will be illegal as a result of legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Nikki Haley.
"blu eCigs strongly supports and advocates for legislation or regulation that prevents the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors," said Jim Raporte, president of blu eCigs. "The company is pleased that South Carolina has joined the growing number of states who are adopting legislation to prohibit the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors."
In May, blu eCigs voiced its support for a new law prohibiting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors in the state of Alabama. The purchase or sale of e-cigarettes to people in Alabama under age 19 will be illegal as a result of legislation signed into law by Governor Robert J. Bentley.
Bentley's action comes weeks after Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Indiana Governor Mike Pence each signed similar legislation that also restricts the sale and purchase of e-cigarettes to minors in those states. Charlotte, N.C.-based blu eCigs, a subsidiary of Lorillard Inc., Greensboro, N.C., supports the legislation in all three states.
"blu eCigs strongly supports and advocates for legislation or regulation that prevents the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors," Raporte said. "The company is pleased that Alabama has joined the growing number of states who are adopting legislation to prohibit the sale or distribution of electronic cigarettes to minors."
After Lorillard's acquisition of blu eCigs last year, the electronic cigarette company made a commitment to take a leadership role in shaping how this emerging category can be responsibly regulated. Responsible e-cigarette manufacturers, including blu eCigs, already prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors through strict age-verification and third-party certification procedures on websites.
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