DeSantis responds to Trump administration call for ban on flavored e-cigarettes

LAKE MARY, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis is responding to the Trump administration's call for a ban on flavored e-cigarettes.

DeSantis spoke at a Seminole County Sheriff Foundation awards dinner in Lake Mary Thursday night.

The governor recognized vaping is a big concern for parents. He said he wants to learn more before supporting any new restrictions.

U.S. health officials call it an epidemic as the number of teens who use e-cigarettes continues to increase.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, about 3 million high school students are vaping.

"I've talked to a lot of parents. It seems like for teens, this has, like, really exploded. In just like two or three years, it's becoming a big problem," DeSantis said.

The FDA is working on guidelines to remove all nontobacco flavors of e-cigarettes, including mint and menthol, which are popular among teens.

Federal health officials are calling for restrictions to fight an outbreak of a mysterious lung disease that has killed at least six people and made hundreds of others sick. So far, they have not found a definitive cause.

DeSantis said he's not sure if restrictions on e-cigarettes would be the answer.

"So if you're going to ban the normal stuff, is that gonna be more street stuff? Will it be more dangerous? So I just need to know a little bit more," DeSantis said.

The governor said he wants more information on the deaths and the cause before he supports any new restrictions on e-cigarettes.

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