The American Heart Association has issued new e-cigarette recommendations regarding use of the products and how they impact tobacco-control efforts. These guidelines were published in Circulation, the association’s journal.

The organization’s position, based on present evidence, is that because e-cigarettes contain nicotine and are therefore tobacco products, they should be subject to all laws that apply to tobacco products. Additionally, the AHA is also suggesting strong new regulations to keep prevent access, marketing, and sales of e-cigarettes to youth, and for additional research into the health impact of the products.

The AHA’s CEO, Nancy Brown, said in a statement, “Over the last 50 years, 20 million Americans died because of tobacco. We are fiercely committed to preventing the tobacco industry from addicting another generation of smokers.” She continued, “Recent studies raise concerns that e-cigarettes may be a gateway to traditional tobacco products for the nation’s youth, and could renormalize smoking in our society. These disturbing developments have helped convince the association that e-cigarettes need to be strongly regulated, thoroughly researched and closely monitored.”

The new policy suggests a federal ban on e-cigarettes for minors, and highlights concerns that such products can be a nicotine addiction entry point for young people.

Aruni Bhatnagar, PhD, FAHA, lead author and chair of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Louisville, said in a statement, “It’s critical that we rigorously examine the long-term impact of this new technology on public health, cardiovascular disease and stroke, and pay careful attention to the effect of e-cigarettes on adolescents.”

According to drugabuse.gov, e-cigarettes are smokeless, battery-operated devices with the intent of delivering flavored nicotine or other chemical to the lungs without burning tobacco.