For the third year in a row, an effort to ban flavored vaping products in Connecticut couldn’t muster enough support.
“We’re incredibly frustrated that the legislature can’t seem to get their priorities in order in a way that would protect kids, the way all of Connecticut’s neighbors already have,” said Kevin O’Flaherty, northeast advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.
They “continue to support industry and industry profits instead of protecting kids.”
The flavor ban had early momentum in the General Assembly. The Public Health Committee approved the measure in March after hearing hours of testimony.
A mother urged legislators to ban flavors after watching her 10-year-old son become hooked on vaping. Advocates warned of the dangers e-cigarettes pose. And many in the medical community, including the Connecticut Hospital Association, the Connecticut State Medical Society, the Central Connecticut Health District and the Connecticut chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, put their support behind the bill.
“We had an understanding with the governor to go after flavored vaping this year. I think there was real bipartisan consensus on the subject, and surrounding states have already taken this step,” said Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, a co-chair of the Public Health Committee who backed the proposal. “So it was very disappointing to once again be blocked.”
Connecticut is one of few states in the region that has not adopted a prohibition on flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have barred the sale of flavored vaping products. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco items, including flavored cigars, cigarettes and vaping goods.
Jenna Carlesso – Connecticut Mirror – 2022-05-06.
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