While companies are selling “nicotine-delivery devices” with flavors such as banana, chocolate-mango and bubblegum, the Marion Board of Health has passed regulations to stop minors from buying them.

The devices, known as e-cigarettes, produce a vapor of liquid nicotine through a heating element. Users then inhale the “smoke.”

“E-cigarettes have become so unbelievably popular with children,” said Judith Coykendall. “They are every bit as addictive as regular cigarettes. These regulations are really about protecting our youth.” Coykendall is the program manager of the Seven Hills Behavioral Health Tobacco-Free Community Partnership.

The new regulations prohibit selling e-cigarettes to anyone younger than 18. Board members also passed rules to stop the sale of "blunt wrappers" in town. Cigars that sell for less than $2.50 must be packaged in groups of four.

The rules take effect April 15.

Last week, Coykendall showed health board members a presentation called Enhanced Youth Access at a public hearing. The session described how companies are using lax regulations to sell to children.

“Kids are using these e-cigarettes in alarming numbers,” she said. “We’re trying to make them more out of reach for children.”

The regulations added a new definition to nicotine delivery products to include e-cigarettes.

Without the rules it’s legal for minors to buy those products. According to Coykendall, the Federal Food and Drug Administration had no regulations for e-cigarettes or blunt wrappers, which can be used to smoke marijuana.

The wrappers, Coykendall said, “Come in packages that make them look like fruit roll ups…Basically they’re used to roll joints, to be quite frank.”

The flavors are a draw for minors, who may not be aware that they are also consuming nicotine she said.

Marion Rochester Health District Agent Karen Walega said the rules close the gap in outdated tobacco laws.

“Our regulations seemed to be antiquated as the cigarette industry tried to target our children in different ways,” said Walega.

E-cigarettes were a problem in town, particularly for Tabor Academy students who were buying them.

“We know for a fact that kids are getting a hold of them,” she said.

Marion joins the Rochester Board of Health who passed similar regulations a year and half ago. Mattapoisett health officials are considering passing the same rules.

The regulations also prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes in educational facilities and pharmacies.

Additionally, signs will be posted in stores that carry e-cigarettes to warn against selling them to minors and that using the products indoors may be against local laws.