Correlation

Federal regulators, having found a correlation between vaping and cigarette smoking, have banned the sale of vaping products to minors.  The e-cigarette lobby is pointing out that correlation is not causation and it is still uncertain that minors who vape first, smoke later.  The correlation was close enough to causation for the FDA, which promulgated the rules.  The tobacco lobby has earned the restriction it gets.  For decades it got its way in Congress and over regulators.  Now it begs for mercy.  This is a legacy of abusive PR.  It is unlikely Federal authorities will ever again give the industry a break.  Tobacco companies fought for their products till the bitter end and now are largely an afterthought in US society.  Sadly, they are still making money but their end-time has come.