Senate Acts on Bills to Counter Vaping Crisis, Curb Tobacco Use

Measures Focus on Safeguards for Young People

Trenton – A pair of bills to counter the vaping crisis and protect against the adverse health effects of tobacco products was approved by the Senate today. The two bills – which emphasize safeguards for young people – would ban the sale of flavored vaping products, set strict regulations for vape product retailers and increase penalties for underage sales of vaping and tobacco products.

“Youth tobacco use was declining for decades before e-cigarettes, and especially flavored vaping products, entered the market. Today, one in five high school students use vaping products. That is both astronomical and unacceptable,” said Senator Vitale (D-Middlesex). “Big tobacco has spent years skirting regulation and dangerously preying on our most vulnerable communities, but these policies will provide a desperately needed defense to their pursuit.”

“The rapid increase in vaping’s popularity among middle and high schoolers is deeply troubling, especially given their lack of understanding as to what it is they are putting into their bodies,” said Senator Turner (D-Hunterdon/Mercer). “By banning flavored vaping products, we can discourage our youth from taking up this dangerous habit and reduce its prevalence in our homes and schools.”

• One bill, S-4223/S-4224, would strengthen regulations of vape product retailers, including establish a tracking system for vaping products sold in New Jersey and prohibit the sale of tobacco products, including vape products in pharmacies and any entities with a pharmacy on site. Additionally, nicotine content concentration in vaping liquids would be capped at two percent. It would also increase the penalties to retailers who are caught selling tobacco and vaping products to anyone under age 21, including higher fines and increase licensure fees for cigarette licenses and vapor licenses from $50 to $500 (Vitale/Sweeney). The bill was voted out of the Senate 25-13.
• The other measure, S-3265, would outlaw the sale and distribution in the state of flavored e-cigarettes. (Turner/Codey/Vitale). The bill was voted out of the Senate 22-15.