MONTPELIER — The Vermont Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill that would ban the retail sale of flavored tobacco products and e-liquids.
The bill would also direct the Office of the Attorney General to report on the extent to which Vermont may legally restrict advertising and regulate labels for e-cigarettes and other vaping-related products.
“As lawmakers we put the health of Vermont youth above all else,” said Senator Ginny Lyons, chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the lead sponsor of the bill. “The youth smoking and vaping epidemic is on the rise. We must do everything we can to protect the next generation from nicotine addiction.”
Data from the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont chapters of the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society show that nearly all youth e-cigarette users report using flavored products.
More than eight in ten youth who have ever used tobacco products started with flavored products and nearly 65 percent of young menthol smokers say they would quit if menthol cigarettes were banned.
If S.18 becomes law, Vermont will join Massachusetts and California in banning the retail sale of all flavored tobacco products.
The bill will be up for final consideration in the Senate tomorrow.
If approved, it would then move to the House for further consideration.
