50 Organizations in Vermont Call for an End to Flavored Tobacco Sales, Back Review of New Bill

The initiative to ban flavored tobacco in Vermont has received support from numerous organizations calling on lawmakers to end the sale of flavored tobacco products. This action aims to protect children and adolescents from products harmful to their health. Organizations supporting the ban on flavored tobacco include medical associations, children's hospitals, and social welfare organizations. A poll released in January showed that 68% of Vermont residents support banning flavored tobacco products.

Recently, according to Vermont Business Magazine, the "Ban Flavored Tobacco to Protect Children" initiative and the "Vermont Tobacco-Free Alliance" announced that 50 organizations in Vermont have signed a letter to the Vermont House Health and Human Services Committee, urging lawmakers to end the sale of flavored tobacco.

The letter advocates for the passage of Bill S.18, which has already passed through the Senate. The bill will be reviewed by the House committee this week.

Organizations supporting the bill include the Vermont Medical Society, the University of Vermont Children's Hospital, the Wyndham County NAACP, Outright Vermont, Prevention Works VT, the Vermont Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Association, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.

Wichie Artu, a member of the Wyndham County NAACP, stated: "Tobacco companies have ruthlessly targeted the Black community with menthol-flavored advertising, using aggressive marketing strategies to attract new users and then profiting from their addiction. It is time for Vermont lawmakers to prioritize the health of Vermonters over the profits of Big Tobacco."

Jay Nichols, director of the Vermont Principals' Association, noted that school leaders across the state are seeing more students addicted to nicotine due to e-cigarettes: "The appeal of e-cigarettes often starts with flavored e-cigarette products that attract our kids, leading them to become 'addicted' from middle school. We know that almost all of these kids use flavored products."

According to a poll released last December, 68% of Vermont residents support legislation to end the sale of flavored tobacco products. Vermont Governor Scott stated at a press conference on January 10 that he is likely to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The "Ban Flavored Tobacco to Protect Children" initiative has gathered the Vermont Tobacco-Free Alliance and dozens of local, state, and national organizations committed to protecting children from all tobacco products and addiction.