Hawaii would be the first American state to adopt a ban on flavored e-cigarettes under a bill before the legislature.
It is contemplating a new nicotine crackdown, banning flavored e-cig liquids as well as flavored tobacco in order to curb teen vaping. The new proposal would adopt a ban on flavored e-cigarette liquids, such as Cookie Monsta and Maui Mango, along with other flavored tobacco products; however, it would exempt vaping liquids and menthol cigarettes.
Trish La Chica, a counselor and lobbyist for the Hawaii Public Health Institute, said, “They look at cigarettes and they say, ‘Cigarettes are disgusting. Tobacco is disgusting.’” “So take away the cotton candy, take away the flavors that look like they belong in an ice cream shop, and they wouldn’t be attracted to start in the first place.”
Flavored e-cigarettes typically are more popular among teenagers than regular cigarette smokers are. In fact, most experts agree e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes because the vapors have no tar or other carcinogens; however, there is no strong evidence on the long-term effects. And experts believe that vaping may make kids vulnerable to take up cigarettes.
Earlier this month, the FDA restricted sales of most flavored-tobacco products in stores. The agency said the priority is to remove vaping products, which clearly appeal to teens, especially those with packaging resembling candies, cookies, and juice boxes.
Last week, students witnessed to Hawaii lawmakers that their colleagues were vaping in isolated areas of campus and bathrooms, while some even went to post social media videos of exhaling plumes.
According to a 2017 study conducted by the Hawaii Health Department, 16 percent of middle-schoolers and 26 percent of high-school students used flavored e-cigarettes.
The study also found that the number of high-school students trying vaping increased four times from 2011 to 2015.
According to the National Youth Tobacco Survey, teen vaping surged by 78 percent from 2017 to 2018 across the United States.
Hawaii’s health department officials said teen vaping is quite concerning because the nicotine in teenagers can potentially disturb the growth of brain circuits which are known to control learning and attention, increasing the risk of mood disorders and impulsivity.
A House committee; however, exempted menthol from the bill, as prohibiting it would reduce the tax revenue Hawaii brings in the form of menthol cigarettes. The proposal is not up for a public referendum; there have been advertisements opposing the bill.
