President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration will propose banning thousands of flavors used in e-cigarettes to combat a recent surge in underage vaping.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said vaping has become such a problem that he wants parents to be aware of what's happening.

"We want to have parents understand that we're studying it very carefully. It's again, very new and potentially very bad," Trump said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters that his agency and the Food and Drug Administration will develop guidelines to remove all e-cigarette flavors except tobacco, from the market.

It will take several weeks to develop the proposed flavor restrictions, which will be subject to public input before taking effect.

Trump's comments on vaping, the first of his presidency, come as health authorities investigate hundreds of breathing illnesses reported in people who have used e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.

No single device, ingredient or additive has been identified, though many cases involve marijuana vaping devices.

The proposal announced by Trump officials would only apply to nicotine vaping products, which are regulated by the FDA.

The FDA has had the authority to ban vaping flavors since 2016, but has resisted calls to take that step.

Instead, the agency previously said it wanted to study the role of flavors in vaping products, including whether they help adult smokers quit traditional cigarettes.

But parents, politicians and health advocates have increasingly called for a crackdown on flavors, arguing that they are overwhelmingly to blame for a recent surge in underage vaping by U.S. teens.

A ban on flavors would represent a huge blow to the vaping industry, including companies like Juul, which has grown into a multibillion dollar business by selling mint, fruit and dessert flavored-nicotine products.

Washington, DC - 11 September 2019

1. Wide shot of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We have a problem in our country. It's a new problem, it's a problem nobody really thought about too much a few years ago and it's called vaping, especially vaping as it pertains to innocent children. And they're coming home and they're saying, 'Mom I want to vape.' And the parents don't know too much about it and nobody knows too much about it but they do know it's causing a lot of problems. And we're going to have to do something about it. One of the words and one of the reasons we're meeting today is to let you know that it's out there and we want to have parents understand that we're studying it very carefully. It's again, very new and potentially very bad. There have been deaths and there have been a lot of other problems. People think it's an easy solution to cigarettes but it's turned out that it has its own difficulties."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Not only is it a problem overall but really specifically with respect to children. We're getting some stories that we don't want to hear and we may very well have to do something very, very strong about it."

4. Wide cutaway of Trump in Oval Office

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Azar, Health and Human Services Secretary:

"Currently about 8 million adults use these cigarettes but five million children are using e-cigarettes. This is exceptionally harmful to our children. An entire generation of children risk becoming addicted to nicotine because of the attractiveness, appealability and availability of these vaping products. So with the president's support, the Food and Drug Administration intends to finalize a guidance document that would commence enforcement to require that all flavors other than tobacco flavor would be removed from the market."

6. Wide cutaway

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We want to get to the bottom of a very unusual situation. It's so new and it's become so big so fast and it could be a potential very severe problem. So Commissioner, you know what to do, you know what to do and it's something that frankly should have been looked into a few years ago in a much more advanced way. It wasn't. And we have something that will be very interesting to see what turns up. But you'll be able to report back in the fairly near future because you've done a lot of work on this and we'll see what happens. OK? Thank you very much."

8. Wide shot of Trump in Oval Office

President Donald Trump said Wednesday his administration will propose banning thousands of flavors used in e-cigarettes to combat a recent surge in underage vaping.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said vaping has become such a problem that he wants parents to be aware of what's happening.

"We want to have parents understand that we're studying it very carefully. It's again, very new and potentially very bad," Trump said.

Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar told reporters that his agency and the Food and Drug Administration will develop guidelines to remove all e-cigarette flavors except tobacco, from the market.

It will take several weeks to develop the proposed flavor restrictions, which will be subject to public input before taking effect.

Trump's comments on vaping, the first of his presidency, come as health authorities investigate hundreds of breathing illnesses reported in people who have used e-cigarettes and other vaping devices.

No single device, ingredient or additive has been identified, though many cases involve marijuana vaping devices.

The proposal announced by Trump officials would only apply to nicotine vaping products, which are regulated by the FDA.

The FDA has had the authority to ban vaping flavors since 2016, but has resisted calls to take that step.

Instead, the agency previously said it wanted to study the role of flavors in vaping products, including whether they help adult smokers quit traditional cigarettes.

But parents, politicians and health advocates have increasingly called for a crackdown on flavors, arguing that they are overwhelmingly to blame for a recent surge in underage vaping by U.S. teens.

A ban on flavors would represent a huge blow to the vaping industry, including companies like Juul, which has grown into a multibillion dollar business by selling mint, fruit and dessert flavored-nicotine products.

Washington, DC - 11 September 2019

1. Wide shot of President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We have a problem in our country. It's a new problem, it's a problem nobody really thought about too much a few years ago and it's called vaping, especially vaping as it pertains to innocent children. And they're coming home and they're saying, 'Mom I want to vape.' And the parents don't know too much about it and nobody knows too much about it but they do know it's causing a lot of problems. And we're going to have to do something about it. One of the words and one of the reasons we're meeting today is to let you know that it's out there and we want to have parents understand that we're studying it very carefully. It's again, very new and potentially very bad. There have been deaths and there have been a lot of other problems. People think it's an easy solution to cigarettes but it's turned out that it has its own difficulties."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"Not only is it a problem overall but really specifically with respect to children. We're getting some stories that we don't want to hear and we may very well have to do something very, very strong about it."

4. Wide cutaway of Trump in Oval Office

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Alex Azar, Health and Human Services Secretary:

"Currently about 8 million adults use these cigarettes but five million children are using e-cigarettes. This is exceptionally harmful to our children. An entire generation of children risk becoming addicted to nicotine because of the attractiveness, appealability and availability of these vaping products. So with the president's support, the Food and Drug Administration intends to finalize a guidance document that would commence enforcement to require that all flavors other than tobacco flavor would be removed from the market."

6. Wide cutaway

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Trump, US President:

"We want to get to the bottom of a very unusual situation. It's so new and it's become so big so fast and it could be a potential very severe problem. So Commissioner, you know what to do, you know what to do and it's something that frankly should have been looked into a few years ago in a much more advanced way. It wasn't. And we have something that will be very interesting to see what turns up. But you'll be able to report back in the fairly near future because you've done a lot of work on this and we'll see what happens. OK? Thank you very much."

8. Wide shot of Trump in Oval Office

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the US.

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about to be able to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Automotive executives Tuesday praised President Donald Trump, after holding a morning meeting with him in the White House, for his focus on growing jobs and investment in their industry.

Speaking to reporters after, Ford Motor Co. chief executive Mark Fields also welcomed the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP (Trans Pacific Partnership) trade agreement.

"We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal, " Fields said.

General Motors chief executive Mary Barra said there was "a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government, " to improve job creation, safety and the environment.

Trump told his guests Tuesday at the White House that he's looking to ease regulations to help auto companies and any other businesses wishing to do business in the U.S..

Washington, D.C. - 24 January 2017

1. Pan, auto CEOs leaving White House West Wing

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co. chief executive:

"Well, we just had a great conversation with the president and he is very focused on policies that will grow investment and jobs here in America and American industry and of course in the automotive industry, which is what we talked about this morning. As an industry, as an automotive industry, we employ many people across America. Good paying jobs from the people that work in our factories to manufacturers that support our plants with parts, to our wonderful dealers, who are literally in every community across America who help sell and service our vehicles and we are very encouraged by the president and the economic policies that he is forwarding. And I would just call out yesterday, the president's decision to withdraw from the TPP. We've been very vocal, both as an industry and as a company, and we've repeatedly said that the mother of all trade barriers is currency manipulation and TPP failed in meaningfully dealing with that and we appreciate the president's courage to walk away from a bad trade deal. So, I think as an industry, we are excited about working together with the president and his administration on tax policies, on regulation and on trade to really create a renaissance in American manufacturing. So, maybe Mary you want to say a few words?"

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Mary Barra, General Motors chief executive:

"Just to say that, I think that ... but I think there is a huge. There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can do and improve the environment, improve safety and improve the jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing and we are looking forward to all the elements that Mark talked about in order to do that."

4. Pan, Barra, Fields and Fiat Chrysler chairman Sergio Marchionne walking away from reporters

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt talked about plans to ease emissions standards for cars and trucks at an announcement Tuesday morning.

Regulators say a timeline put in place by President Barack Obama was not appropriate and set standards "too high."

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy," said Pruitt.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it completed a review that will affect vehicles for model years 2022-2025 but it did not specify details on new standards, which it said would be forthcoming. Current regulations from the EPA require the fleet of new vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving by 2025.

That's about 10 mpg over the existing standard.

The EPA, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will work to come up with new standards.

Pruitt did not take questions nor did he address ethics questions swirling around him.

Pruitt has come under intense scrutiny for his use of a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents fossil fuel companies.

An agency ethics official at the EPA has insisted that Pruitt's lease didn't violate federal ethics rules.

President Donald Trump called Pruitt on Monday and told him that "we've got your back" and urged him to "keep his head up" and "keep fighting," according to two administration officials.

Washington - 3 April 2018

1. EPA Administrator Scott Pruit walks into room, shakes hands

2. Wide of news conference

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"As you know, I'm here to announce that those standards that were set, that we are obligated to to evaluate, we are determining, I am determining that those standards are inappropriate and should be revised."

4. Wide of news conference

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"This will begin a process that will determine what those standards should be. It is not conclusory in that regard. But what is conclusory is that what took place before, and as we look at various issues on how we should set the standards, they need to be updated and evaluated and the standards need to be revised accordingly."

6. Wide of news conference

7. Cutaway of reporters

8. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy. And our focus should be on making cars that people purchase actually more efficient. To have arbitrary percentages of our fleet made up of vehicles that aren't going to be purchased, that defeats the very purpose of what the CAFE standards are supposed to to address. We should be focused upon making those cars more efficient because if, if not, then individuals will stay in older vehicles as Peter indicated and emissions will go up. So, we will get this right going forward this year but it is very right for us to be here to recognize that what was done in 2011 and 12, as we evaluate it now, is not appropriate going forward and we're going to get it right as we address it this year."

9. Pruit and others pose for photos

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: apus095020

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt talked about plans to ease emissions standards for cars and trucks at an announcement Tuesday morning.

Regulators say a timeline put in place by President Barack Obama was not appropriate and set standards "too high."

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy," said Pruitt.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it completed a review that will affect vehicles for model years 2022-2025 but it did not specify details on new standards, which it said would be forthcoming. Current regulations from the EPA require the fleet of new vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving by 2025.

That's about 10 mpg over the existing standard.

The EPA, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will work to come up with new standards.

Pruitt did not take questions nor did he address ethics questions swirling around him.

Pruitt has come under intense scrutiny for his use of a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents fossil fuel companies.

An agency ethics official at the EPA has insisted that Pruitt's lease didn't violate federal ethics rules.

President Donald Trump called Pruitt on Monday and told him that "we've got your back" and urged him to "keep his head up" and "keep fighting," according to two administration officials.

Washington - 3 April 2018

1. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"As you know, I'm here to announce that those standards that were set, that we are obligated to to evaluate, we are determining, I am determining that those standards are inappropriate and should be revised."

2. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"This will begin a process that will determine what those standards should be. It is not conclusory in that regard. But what is conclusory is that what took place before, and as we look at various issues on how we should set the standards, they need to be updated and evaluated and the standards need to be revised accordingly."

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy. And if our focus should be on making cars that people purchase actually more efficient. To have arbitrary percentages of our fleet made up of vehicles that aren't going to be purchased, that defeats the very purpose of what the CAFE standards are supposed to to address. We should be focused upon making those cars more efficient because if, if, if not then individual state will stay in older vehicles as Peter indicated. And emissions will go up. So we will get this right going forward this year, but it is very right for us to be here to recognize that what was done in 2011 and 12 as we evaluate it now is not appropriate going forward and we're going to get it right as we address it this year."

4. Pruitt and others pose for photos

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt talked about plans to ease emissions standards for cars and trucks at an announcement Tuesday morning.

Regulators say a timeline put in place by President Barack Obama was not appropriate and set standards "too high."

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy," said Pruitt.

The Environmental Protection Agency said it completed a review that will affect vehicles for model years 2022-2025 but it did not specify details on new standards, which it said would be forthcoming. Current regulations from the EPA require the fleet of new vehicles to get 36 miles per gallon in real-world driving by 2025.

That's about 10 mpg over the existing standard.

The EPA, in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, will work to come up with new standards.

Pruitt did not take questions nor did he address ethics questions swirling around him.

Pruitt has come under intense scrutiny for his use of a Capitol Hill condominium linked to a prominent Washington lobbyist whose firm represents fossil fuel companies.

An agency ethics official at the EPA has insisted that Pruitt's lease didn't violate federal ethics rules.

President Donald Trump called Pruitt on Monday and told him that "we've got your back" and urged him to "keep his head up" and "keep fighting," according to two administration officials.

Washington - 3 April 2018

1. EPA Administrator Scott Pruit walks into room, shakes hands

2. Wide of news conference

3. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"As you know, I'm here to announce that those standards that were set, that we are obligated to to evaluate, we are determining, I am determining that those standards are inappropriate and should be revised."

4. Wide of news conference

5. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"This will begin a process that will determine what those standards should be. It is not conclusory in that regard. But what is conclusory is that what took place before, and as we look at various issues on how we should set the standards, they need to be updated and evaluated and the standards need to be revised accordingly."

6. Wide of news conference

7. Cutaway of reporters

8. SOUNDBITE (English): Scott Pruitt, EPA Admininstrator:

"I think the focus in the past has been on making manufacturers in Detroit, making manufacturers in various parts of the country, make cars that people aren't going to buy. And our focus should be on making cars that people purchase actually more efficient. To have arbitrary percentages of our fleet made up of vehicles that aren't going to be purchased, that defeats the very purpose of what the CAFE standards are supposed to to address. We should be focused upon making those cars more efficient because if, if not, then individuals will stay in older vehicles as Peter indicated and emissions will go up. So, we will get this right going forward this year but it is very right for us to be here to recognize that what was done in 2011 and 12, as we evaluate it now, is not appropriate going forward and we're going to get it right as we address it this year."

9. Pruit and others pose for photos