Boxer asks e-cig companies to pull TV ads

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) wants electronic cigarette manufacturers to pull their TV ads.

In a letter sent Wednesday, she asked the executives of five companies including NJOY, Lorillard Inc., Altria Groups Inc., LOGIC Technology and Reynolds America Inc. to refrain from advertising e-cigarettes on television to reduce youth exposure to the products.

“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,” her letter said. “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.”

Boxer gave the companies 30 days to respond with a pledge to refrain from advertising e-cigarettes on television.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention released data from a study on Thursday, which found that e-cigarette use had tripled among middle and high school students in the last year. Boxer called the report a “wake-up call.”

“If e-cigarette companies are serious about helping people quit smoking, they must stop targeting our kids with their products and pull their advertisements from television.”