Blumenthal & Wasserman Schultz Introduce Legislation to Address Youth Vaping Use

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] - Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) introduced the Preventing Opportunities for Teen E-Cigarette and Tobacco Addiction (PROTECT) Act, bicameral legislation to address the alarming rise in e-cigarette use among youth.

The PROTECT Act authorizes $100 million in funding each year for five years for a proactive Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to address this alarming trend through funding for enhanced research, grants for states and localities to address this issue in their communities, the development of evidence-based policies, and other critical activities to combat the rise in e-cigarette use among youth.

"Youth vaping in our schools and communities is an epidemic, fueled by Big Tobacco aggressively targeting yet another generation of young people," Blumenthal said. "Our measure addresses this crisis and gives those on the frontlines of this fight the tools they need to prevent teen e-cigarette addiction. The Trump Administration's recent actions to undermine federal anti-smoking efforts and greenlight flavored e-cigarette products make our PROTECT Act all the more necessary to prevent addiction and keep our kids safe and healthy."

"Youth vaping is a public health crisis, and we need to treat it like one. For too long, Big Tobacco has preyed on America's youth with flavored vapes specifically designed to get them hooked young," said Wasserman Schultz. "The PROTECT Act is needed now more than ever as the Trump Administration decimates key tobacco cessation programs and rubber stamps dangerous, flavored vape approvals at FDA. I'm very proud to partner with Senator Blumenthal on this effort to protect our country's children and keep them healthy."

More than 1.4 million youth report using e-cigarettes, including roughly 1 in 13 high school students and about 1 in 29 middle school students, according to the National Youth Tobacco Survey. Nearly 40 percent of youth who vape report frequent use, an alarming trend worsened by the Trump Administration dismantling key anti-smoking programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and authorizing flavored e-cigarette products that appeal to children.

The PROTECT Act is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and endorsed by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the American Academy, and the American Cancer Society.

-30-

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Tweet