A California lawmaker's attempt to regulate e-cigarettes like tobacco products went up in smoke Wednesday after opposition from associations representing the industry.

A bill introduced in the California State Legislature sought to curb the growing popularity of e-cigarettes by requiring they be treated the same as tobacco products under state law. However, the bill's sponsor —Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco)—pulled the legislation after an amendment was added in committee stating that e-cigarettes are not tobacco products because they don't use combustible tobacco, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The move came as a blow to anti-smoking advocates, but it was welcome news American Vaping Association President Gregory Conley, who said e-cigarette industry is a separate entity from what most people consider "Big Tobacco."

"Yes, they make e-cigarettes, but they do not represent this industry—this industry was created by ex-smokers who use these products to quit," Conley said. http://bit.ly/1fqCSXH

The Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association issued a statement after the bill's withdrawal noting it supported a number of measures in the legislation, such as prohibitions on selling to minors, licensure requirements and child-resistant packaging. However, classifying e-cigarettes as combustible tobacco was "the wrong approach."

"We reiterate our position that the debate on vapor products should be approached from a science-based position of endeavoring to protect the public health from death and disease caused by smoking, which kills 40,000 adult smokers each year in California and more than 480,000 adults across the country," the association said. http://bit.ly/1MhGPIu

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