Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has submitted testimony regarding House Bill 6488, stating his full support for the proposal to ban flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products in the state.
He expressed concern that the proposed "bill on cigarettes, tobacco products, electronic nicotine delivery systems, and vapor products" excludes the widely used flavoring compound menthol and insisted on its inclusion in the ban to prevent youth addiction.
The sales termination of flavored tobacco products, including menthol, will have a significant impact on reducing the number of deaths or preventable illnesses caused by tobacco use, greatly decreasing the number of young people addicted to tobacco products, and reversing the trend of adolescent e-cigarette usage, stated Tong. "A comprehensive flavor ban, including menthol, will save thousands of lives in Connecticut, protect public health, promote health equity, and should be immediately implemented.
Tong stated that his office has a lengthy history of fighting against tobacco companies. "From negotiating the Master Settlement Agreement in the 1990s to recently announcing a settlement with Juul, we have been committed to combatting the deceitful tactics of Big Tobacco in marketing to children.
The bill is the latest effort by members of the legislative Public Health Committee to ban the sale of flavored nicotine products in order to reduce smoking and vaping among young people. Similar legislation failed to pass the finish line at a recent legislative session.
Last May, the efforts to ban flavored vaping products in Connecticut for the third consecutive year failed to receive enough support.
Connecticut lawmakers heard testimony regarding proposed legislation that would prohibit the sale of flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products, as well as the use of e-cigarettes in vehicles with children present.
Connecticut is one of the few states in the region that has not passed legislation banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have already banned the sale of flavored vape products, while Massachusetts has banned all flavored tobacco products, including flavored cigars, cigarettes, and e-cigarettes.
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