Arizona Attorney General Joins National Push to Ban Flavored Vapes
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has joined a coalition of attorneys general from across the country in calling for a ban on flavored vape products that target younger demographics. In a letter released in mid-September, the attorneys general urged the Center for Tobacco Products to remove Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) with youth-oriented flavors from the market within a five-year plan.
Mayes’ support for the ban aligns with recent efforts by the Tempe City Council to address the growing problem of youth vaping. In October, the council voted to raise the age limit for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21, with the new ordinance set to take effect in May 2024. Councilmember Doreen Garlid, who spearheaded the initiative as part of the Human Services and Community Safety Council Committee, emphasized the importance of advocating for the health and safety of the community.
“With our council’s recent passage of the tobacco ordinance, we’ll be able to better track and work alongside retailers to make sure tobacco is staying out of the hands of our youth,” Garlid stated in an email. She expressed her commitment to collaborating with the community and organizations to reduce nicotine use among young adults.
The push for a ban on flavored vapes comes amid alarming statistics about the prevalence of vaping among young people. According to Statista, 78% of U.S. college students reported using e-cigarettes or other vaping products in the past three months. The variety of flavored vapes on the market has skyrocketed, with a 1,500% increase since 2020.
The attorneys general’s plan outlines two main goals: enforcing tobacco regulations and ensuring industry compliance. Proposed regulations include banning all non-tobacco flavors in vapes, limiting the concentration of addictive chemicals in vaping devices, and restricting disposable products in favor of cartridge-based systems. The second part of the plan focuses on targeting the entire supply chain, from production to distribution.
Lucy Piemme, a freshman studying business at Arizona State University, believes that limiting flavors will discourage younger groups from vaping. “It would stop the trend early on,” she said.
Experts warn that vaping can be more addictive than smoking cigarettes due to its constant availability and higher nicotine content. Dr. Michael Blaha, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, notes that 29.5% of all vape product users start because of the enticing flavors, according to The National Institutes of Health.
Mia, an ASU student who requested to be identified only by her first name, shared her personal experience with vaping. “I started vaping because my older friends started, so eventually I did too,” she said. “I don’t think I would have started if they were unflavored. At first, it was cool tricks and fun flavors … now I’m addicted.”
Looking Ahead
As the coalition of 33 attorneys general pushes for the FDA to remove youth-oriented vape flavors from the market, advocates hope that this effort will help curb the youth vaping epidemic. With local initiatives like Tempe’s new ordinance and the support of state officials like Attorney General Mayes, Arizona is taking steps to prioritize the health and well-being of its young residents in the face of the growing vaping crisis.
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