The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) in Oklahoma is urging state lawmakers to introduce a policy that would curb the use of e-cigarettes. TSET is seeking to address potential loopholes in the law that may allow teenagers to use e-cigarettes.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) has stated that the downward trend in teenage smoking over the past 20 years has come to a halt. In the last five years, they have seen the emergence of electronic cigarettes, which has surpassed alarming levels. This week, the TSET board approved a resolution concerning electronic cigarettes, supporting policies that require electronic cigarette retailers to obtain licenses and other related measures.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) in Oklahoma is calling on state lawmakers to develop a policy to reduce the use of e-cigarettes in the state.
According to Thomas Larson, the Public Information and Outreach Director for TSET, unlike traditional tobacco products, retailers need a tobacco retail license to sell these products. He stated that electronic cigarette retailers that contribute to the problem do not have similar licensing requirements, making law enforcement difficult and enforcement of underage sales challenging because the state does not even have a complete list of electronic cigarette retailers.
If we want to prevent young people from becoming addicted to nicotine, raising the taxes on these electronic cigarettes to prices closer to those of traditional cigarettes will hinder their use," said Larson. The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust is calling on state lawmakers to enact a policy that reduces the use of e-cigarettes in the state.
According to Larson, TSET has valid reasons for wanting these new policies targeting electronic cigarettes. "Apart from nicotine, they have found heavy metals such as tin and lead in electronic cigarettes, so it's not just vapor and it's not harmless," Larson said.
Currently, up to 1 to 4 young Oklahomans have reported using e-cigarettes or vaping in the past 30 days, according to Larson. "It's a growing epidemic in our youth. It's attracting a whole new generation of nicotine users," Larson said. Several bills were proposed on this issue before two legislative sessions, but none were heard in committee, Larson said. TSET stated that they are trying to get something done at the upcoming legislative session.
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