Oregon lawmakers are currently weighing a proposal to prohibit the sale of flavored vaping products in an effort to curb nicotine addiction among young people. Senate Bill 702, backed by many health professionals, public health experts, and tobacco control groups, aims to address the growing concern of e-cigarette use among children and adolescents.
Proponents of the bill argue that flavored vaping products, which often have candy-like scents, serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction for youth. Senator Janeen Sollman, a strong supporter of the bill, also advocates for installing vaping smoke detectors in high school bathrooms to combat the increasing use of these devices on school grounds.
Despite the age restriction prohibiting the sale of these products to those under 21, experts point out that young people can easily obtain them from non-compliant retailers. Teachers and parents have reported an alarming rise in e-cigarette use among increasingly younger students, with many smuggling flavored nicotine products into classrooms, restrooms, and school buses.
The bill faces opposition from the tobacco industry, its allies, and some Republican lawmakers who argue that vaping flavors provide an alternative to traditional smoking. However, medical professionals like Dr. Erika Moseson challenge this view, preferring to direct people toward nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation instead of recommending vaping devices.
Oregon’s efforts align with a broader movement across several states to curb tobacco and nicotine consumption among youth. Massachusetts and California have already banned the sale of flavored vaping products, while New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have implemented similar restrictions. In January 2024, Multnomah County’s attempt to ban these products was denied by the Oregon Court of Appeals.
The proposed ban follows Oregon voters’ approval of Measure 108 in 2020, which increased taxes on tobacco products and e-cigarettes to fund public health programs. Experts view the prohibition of flavored tobacco and nicotine products as a logical extension of these efforts to safeguard the health of young people in the state.
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