Electronic Cigarette Ban Takes Effect Today

New restrictions on electronic cigarettes go into effect today. Under the new law, the use of electronic cigarettes is banned wherever traditional tobacco smoking is prohibited. The law, which we passed unanimously in March, also requires child-resistant packaging for liquid nicotine.

I sponsored this legislation because I'm concerned about health effects of the nicotine and other potentially harmful chemicals found in e-cigs. Perhaps swayed by the belief that electronic cigarettes are safe, or emboldened by the fact that e-cigs have little odor that parents could detect, teens who have never tried traditional cigarettes are using e-cigs, putting themselves at risk for nicotine addiction, nicotine poisoning or exposure to harmful chemicals. I am not willing to gamble with the health of our current generation of young people by waiting for federal regulations. The Council did the right thing by putting these protections in place. Learn more.