In an effort to tackle the rising use of tobacco and electronic smoking products among young Alaskans, Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak has proposed Senate Bill 89, reports mustreadalaska.com. The bill, scheduled for Senate floor discussion on Tuesday, aims to harmonize state law with federal legislation by increasing the minimum age for buying, selling, or possessing tobacco and e-cigarette products from 19 to 21 years. Additionally, it introduces a new sales tax on electronic smoking items.
The proposal comes in response to the "Tobacco Facts 2022 Update" by the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health, revealing a surge in vaping among Alaska's high school students. About 26% were reported as active e-cigarette users in 2019, slightly lower than the national average of 33%.
SB 89 also sets out rules for online e-cigarette sales, enforcing age verification and tax collection. It seeks to establish the Tobacco Use Education and Cessation Fund, replenished by a portion of the annual Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement payment, a share of the cigarette tax, and proceeds from the new vaping products tax. The fund would be utilized by the Department of Health's tobacco control program for preventing tobacco and e-cigarette use in schools. The bill also aims to reduce the maximum nicotine concentration in e-cigarettes from 60 to 50mg/ml.
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