The Tobacco-Free Youth Act would raise the nationwide minimum age to buy all tobacco products and e-cigarettes, from 18 to 21. The bill, co-sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), would make it unlawful for retailers to sell such products to anyone younger than 21, but would allow states to implement higher age limits if they choose to.
NASSP Director says that educators are facing great challenges due to behaviours associated with nicotine addiction.
“Youth vaping is a public health crisis,” McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a Senate floor speech. “It is our responsibility as parents and public servants to do everything we can to keep these harmful products out of high schools and out of youth culture.”
NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti praised the measure as a way to address “one of the greatest public health issues our schools are facing.” She said that educators are facing great challenges due to behaviours associated with nicotine addiction.
“Principals, who witness each day students’ impulsiveness and other behaviors associated with nicotine addiction, exert great efforts for vaping education and deterrence. Those efforts must and will continue. But those efforts are now emboldened by active support at the highest levels of government.”
The SAFE Kids Act Would Ban Flavoured E-Cigs
Meanwhile the NASSP also supports the SAFE Kids Act, a measure introduced last year which would ultimately ban flavored vaping products alleging that they are designed to appeal to kids, and would impose a federal ban on e-cigarettes in educational and childcare facilities. Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) plans to reintroduce the Smoke Free Schools Act in the coming weeks, according to his office.
Read Further: Politico
A Letter Cautioning the FDA Against Recent Over Reactions to Teen Vaping
