N.J. Considers Ban on All Electronic Smoking Products
The Garden State would be the first state to do so, after health issues are under investigation.
Sep 16, 2019
TRENTON, N.J.—After three vaping-related illnesses have been confirmed in New Jersey, the state’s Senate President Steve Sweeny said he will propose a plan to phase out all electronic smoking products. NBC New York news reports that bills first introduced by Democratic Sen. Shirley Turner and Sen. Joe Vitale outlined laws to prohibit the sale of flavored e-cigarette products, but Sen. Sweeney says they can take it a step further.
“These initiatives could be the first steps towards a total ban on the sale of all vaping products, including e-cigarettes. I will propose a plan to phase out the sale of all vaping products over the next few years,” Sen. Sweeney said in a statement.
If the plan passes the State Assembly—including approval by both houses of the state Legislature and Gov. Phil Murphy—New Jersey would become the first state to ban all electronic smoking devices. Federally, the Trump Administration is preparing to ban all flavored e-cigarettes as health officials say lung disease has sickened hundreds and killed at least six people. Additionally, flavored e-cigarettes have come under fire as a “gateway” for youth to other tobacco products.
States like Colorado are looking to raise the statewide minimum vaping and smoking age to 21, while Arkansas, Texas and Vermont all recently increased the tobacco-buying age to 21. Three more states—Connecticut, Maryland and New York—will implement similar age-requirement laws this year, and Washington and Utah have passed laws that will take effect in 2020 and 2021, respectively. California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon and Virginia already enforce the minimum 21 age limit law for tobacco purchases.
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