ANNAPOLIS, Md., Feb. 10, 2020—Today, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he will be taking some disposable flavored e-cigarettes off the market in Maryland, which follows the Food and Drug Administration’s new policy to restrict the sale of certain flavored e-cigarettes.
The following statement can be attributed to Jocelyn Collins, Maryland Government Relations Director of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN):
“The scope of Comptroller Franchot’s proposal is far too limited—as this issue doesn’t just start and end with some e-cigarettes.
“We need to pass HB3/SB233 to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Maryland, including flavored cigars and menthol cigarettes. If passed, this bill would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products including electronic smoking devices (often called e-cigarettes), menthol cigarettes, flavored cigars and smokeless tobacco.
“Menthol in particular is a flavor proven to be especially addictive and hard to quit. Allowing it to stay on store shelves directly and negatively impacts communities of color, LGBT communities and those at lower socioeconomic levels residing within our state’s health coverage gaps.
“These are all products that will continue to have a devastating impact on the health and well-being of our community if not addressed.
“ACS CAN urges the General Assembly to be more aggressive in helping us protect the youth of Maryland by expanding the proposed legislation to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products throughout the state, without exemptions.
“Currently, 8.2% of Maryland high schoolers smoke and 10.9% of high school males smoke cigars, so there’s clearly more to this issue than e-cigarettes.
“We cannot afford any more delay tactics in Maryland. We need a bill that provides comprehensive protection for the health of our youth and constituents—which HB3/SB233 achieves—not a partial restriction on some e-cigarettes. It’s time that all these products be taken off the shelves once and for all.”
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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.