Oregon lawmakers consider bill that bans flavored tobacco products
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — In an effort to try and curb teen vaping, Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to ban flavored tobacco sales. That bill is expected to head to the Senate floor this week.
Supporters gathered in Salem to try and win votes.
There have been attempts at local bans on sales of these products, some of which are now tied up in court. This bill would make a ban state-wide but there is some opposition.
State lawmaker Hai Pham of Beaverton is a pediatric dentist. He's got firsthand knowledge of young teens using flavored tobacco.
“What I am seeing is increased incidents of number of young kids on flavored tobacco, vaping products and things like that,” Pham said.
Pham is one of the sponsors of Senate Bill 702 to ban sales of flavored tobacco products, vapes and e-cigarettes.
Supporters of the bill met with him and other lawmakers on Tuesday for Oregon Cancer Action Day.
Though it's illegal to sell tobacco products and vape products in Oregon to anyone under 21, teens are still managing to make purchases and get others to buy it for them. Those who support the ban said the lure of candy-like flavors for vaping entices kids into trying the products and getting hooked.
Dr. Astha Mittal, a doctor at Oregon Health and Science University, was among those at the capitol lobbying for the bill.
“I would see these 15-year-olds and 16-year-olds in the hospital because they’ve injured their lungs smoking one vape. It’s like smoking 100 cigarettes and that can be really injurious, really quickly,” Mittal said.
Others working to win support for the bill said it's hard to try and convince someone to quit once they start using nicotine.
“I first noticed in high school where I had some friends start vaping and I’ve had those same friends continue vaping up until now. And still, everyday, everyday usage, and they can’t quit,” said one supporter of the bill.
There are opponents to a flavor ban, including some lawmakers who said an outright ban goes against their rights as adults to make these purchases. Some retailers, especially convenience stores, said banning the products would hurt their business.
Supporters said they tried to get a similar bill through the legislature two years ago but the Republican walkout ended up leaving their bill among hundreds of others that stalled. SB 702 is expected to be voted out of committee and to the House floor for a vote later this week.
In Washington state, a similar effort is underway this week at the legislature to ban flavored tobacco with the reintroduction of two bills, House Bill 2068 and Senate Bill 5803.