Oregon Considers Statewide Ban on Flavored Tobacco Products
Oregon lawmakers are pushing for a statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products, including vapes and e-cigarettes, in an effort to curb teen vaping. Senate Bill 702, sponsored by state lawmaker and pediatric dentist Hai Pham of Beaverton, is expected to head to the Senate floor for a vote this week.
Pham, who has firsthand knowledge of young teens using flavored tobacco, stated, “What I am seeing is increased incidents of number of young kids on flavored tobacco, vaping products and things like that.”
Supporters of the bill, including doctors and advocates, gathered in Salem on Oregon Cancer Action Day to lobby for votes. They argue that despite the illegal nature of selling tobacco and vape products to anyone under 21 in Oregon, teens are still finding ways to purchase these items or have others buy them on their behalf. The candy-like flavors of vaping products are seen as a major enticement for kids to try and become addicted to these products.
Dr. Astha Mittal, a doctor at Oregon Health and Science University, shared her experience treating young patients, saying, “I would see these 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds in the hospital because they’ve injured their lungs smoking one vape. It’s like smoking 100 cigarettes and that can be really injurious, really quickly.“
However, the bill faces opposition from some lawmakers who argue that an outright ban infringes upon the rights of adults to make these purchases. Additionally, some retailers, particularly convenience stores, worry that banning these products would negatively impact their business.
A similar bill was introduced two years ago but stalled due to a Republican walkout. Supporters are hopeful that SB 702 will successfully pass through the legislature this time around.
In neighboring Washington state, lawmakers are also reintroducing two bills, House Bill 2068 and Senate Bill 5803, in an effort to ban flavored tobacco products.
As the debate over flavored tobacco bans continues, both states are grappling with the balance between protecting public health, particularly that of teenagers, and the rights and interests of adult consumers and businesses.
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