Representatives with the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky and Kentucky Youth Advocates are asking state lawmakers to toughen policies regarding electronic cigarette use. The aim is primarily to reduce E-cig use among young people.
Foundation for a Health Kentucky President and CEO Ben Chandler says teenagers may think E-cigs are safe. But, he says nicotine can hinder learning and vapor has chemicals and metals that can damage lungs. Chandler says one of four recommendations focuses on flavored products. “We think the state should seriously consider prohibiting the sale of flavored E-cigarettes. The FDA banned flavored cigarettes in 2009 because they appealed to kids,” said Chandler
Shelbyville teenager Catie Kelly spoke about peer use of small Juul vaping products.
“It is so easy to use in school cause it small and so easy to hide. Like, most of my friends, they’ll just put their head down and just hit it or put it under their sleeve like that and then they’ll just hit it and blow the smoke into their sweatshirt,” noted Kelly
The other three suggested policy measures are to include E-cigarettes in all local smoke-free ordinances and tobacco-free school policies, to add a state tax on e-cigs equal to the rate on traditional cigarettes, and allow localities to enact stricter controls than the state on all tobacco and E-cig products. Chandler says that could include raising the minimum age for purchase.
