title: Global approaches to regulating electronic cigarettes.
abstract: Classify and describe the policy approaches used by countries to regulate e-cigarettes.
  
  
  
  National policies regulating e-cigarettes were identified by (1) conducting web searches on Ministry of Health websites, and (2) broad web searches. The mechanisms used to regulate e-cigarettes were classified as new/amended laws, or existing laws. The policy domains identified include restrictions or prohibitions on product: sale, manufacturing, importation, distribution, use, product design including e-liquid ingredients, advertising/promotion/sponsorship, trademarks, and regulation requiring: taxation, health warning labels and child-safety standards. The classification of the policy was reviewed by a country expert.
  
  
  
  The search identified 68 countries that regulate e-cigarettes: 22 countries regulate e-cigarettes using existing regulations; 25 countries enacted new policies to regulate e-cigarettes; 7 countries made amendments to existing legislation; 14 countries use a combination of new/amended and existing regulation. Common policies include a minimum-age-of-purchase, indoor-use (vape-free public places) bans and marketing restrictions. Few countries are applying a tax to e-cigarettes.
  
  
  
  A range of regulatory approaches are being applied to e-cigarettes globally; many countries regulate e-cigarettes using legislation not written for e-cigarettes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Ryan David
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Ayodeji
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awopegba
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De León
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
authors.forename: Joanna E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Cohen
mesh_terms: D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D033161:Government Regulation; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D057766:Policy
keywords: Electronic nicotine delivery devices; Non-cigarette tobacco products; Public policy