Pallone‘s reversing Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act advances in House

NJBIZ - 11/26/2019

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6thDistrict, announced his bill, the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act, was favorably reported by the Energy and Commerce Committee to the full House of Representatives.
The Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act would prohibit all flavored tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products to 21, ban all non-face-to-face sales for tobacco products, and protects kids from the marketing of tobacco products.
According toreports, Pallone said that the sharp increase in tobacco use in recent years could reverse years of progress in reducing youth tobacco use in America.
Nationwide, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has confirmed more than 2,100 cases of lung injuries and 42 deaths related to vaping illnesses. In New Jersey, there have been 42 confirmed cases of vaping-related illnesses and one confirmed death.
“Today, we took an important step forward in responding to the youth tobacco epidemic, which threatens a new generation of young people to a lifetime of nicotine addiction and poor health outcomes,” said Pallone
“Unfortunately,” Pallone added, “the proliferation of slick new products with enticing flavors has reversed the historic declines in tobacco use among young people, which is why Congress must respond with bold action to address this public health crisis.Congressional action also became more important when, earlier this week, President Trump walked away from his promise to prohibit flavors in tobacco products that are so popular with our youth.”
Pallone said that the Reversing the Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act is a comprehensive approach to end this epidemic by raising the minimum purchase age, prohibiting flavors in all tobacco products, banning certain non-face-to-face sales, and protecting kids from predatory marketing.
“I thank my colleagues for their steadfast commitment to confronting this epidemic head-on and look forward to advancing the bill to the House floor soon.”