WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, the D.C. City Council introduced two pieces of legislation that would regulate e-cigarettes. While we are encouraged that the City Council recognizes the dangers posed to our youth by flavored e-cigarettes, these measures will not sufficiently address youth tobacco use. The following statement can be attributed to Jocelyn Collins, director of government relations for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“The dangers posed by flavored tobacco extend beyond e-cigarettes. Our Councilmembers should end the sale of all flavored tobacco products, including flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes. The tobacco industry has targeted the marketing of these products to youth—especially among communities of color and LGBTQ youth—as they attempt to lure kids into a lifetime of addiction. ACS CAN urges the Councilmembers to help protect the youth of D.C. by expanding the proposed legislation to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products throughout the city, and without exemptions.
“In addition, legislation requiring prescriptions for e-cigarettes is not an appropriate response to the youth e-cigarette epidemic. E-cigarettes are not FDA approved cessation devices and they are not harmless. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol can contain heavy metals like lead and tin and other harmful chemicals. E-cigarettes pose potential health risks to users and we are concerned this measure might encourage the public to think of these devices as medical in nature.”