TALLAHASSEE, FL – February 20, 2020 – Today, the House Commerce Committee passed House bill 7089. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) opposed the bill urging lawmakers to fulfill their duty to Florida youth by enacting comprehensive, evidence-based policies.
The statement below is on behalf of Senior Government Relations Director, Heather Youmans in reaction to today’s committee vote.
“The provisions in House bill 7089 are indictive of the tobacco industry’s pressure on state lawmakers to enact weak legislation that allows the industry to continue on its mission to addict the next generation. The tobacco industry and their allies have caused today’s epidemic. They shouldn’t be trusted to fix it.
By building upon current state retail licensure and regulations, House members could begin enforcement as soon as tomorrow. Rather, the bill establishes an uneven playing field by creating new categories for how e-cigarettes and other tobacco products are regulated. The unnecessary bureacy not only ignores the crucial age individuals become addicted to tobacco, 18 to 21, but delays enforcement and wastes taxpayer money in the process.
State agencies have no means of measuring the nicotine levels of individual tobacco products. To truly protect youth from a lifetime of tobacco addiction, members should be looking to regulate all tobacco products equally.
We are urging the legislature to do the right thing and priotize Florida’s youth over safeguarding the tobacco industry’s profits. Our lawmakers can do better to offer effective protections, and our children deserve such.”
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About ACS CAN
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is making cancer a top priority for public officials and candidates at the federal, state and local levels. ACS CAN empowers advocates across the country to make their voices heard and influence evidence-based public policy change as well as legislative and regulatory solutions that will reduce the cancer burden. As the American Cancer Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate, ACS CAN is critical to the fight for a world without cancer. For more information, visit www.fightcancer.org.