In the latest installment of the youth vaping fear-mongering campaign, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) has called the reported increase in the number of young people trying e-cigarettes as a “national crisis.” Apparently, Shaheen feels the need to add more alarmism to a debate that’s already fueled by misleading research and commentary.
Shaheen’s declaration comes on the heels of her recently introduced legislation that would apply fees to e-cigarette products at a national level.
This is a peculiar move considering Shaheen represents a state with the second highest opioid overdose rate in the country. One would think a politician would address substances that are actually killing people, not waste time and money pointing a finger at e-cigarette companies because a relatively small number of juvenile delinquents are experimenting with e-cigarettes.
Unfortunately, Shaheen isn’t alone.
Dozens of other misguided legislators across the country have introduced more than 200 bills that would regulate, tax, or even prohibit e-cigarettes.
Lawmakers in Washington State have introduced Tobacco 21 legislation and a vaping tax “necessary for public health,” due to the “youth vaping epidemic.” In 2015, more than 700 Washingtonians died from opioid overdoses.
Lindsey Stroud – The Hill – March 31, 2019.