Senator John A. Kissel Champions E-Cigarette Education Bill Moving Out of Committee, Applauds Youth Advocates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 13, 2024

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Senator John A. Kissel Champions E-Cigarette Education Bill Moving Out of Committee, Applauds Youth Advocates

TESTIMONY LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iCPhRzo3oY

HARTFORD – On Tuesday, March 12th, the Connecticut General Assembly’s General Law Committee voted out legislation that would establish an online prevention education program for dealers of electronic nicotine delivery products, also known as “vapes”. Senator Kissel proposed Senate Bill 199 to the General Law Committee after an informative visit to the Enfield Youth Council, where passionate youth advocates urged action on the youth vaping epidemic seen across the state. This bill would work to prevent underage youth from receiving e-cigarette products from licensed dealers. The education these dealers would receive through this law would educate them on how to comply with laws prohibiting sales to minors and penalties for failure to comply, as well as educate them on the dangers to a young person’s health if they acquire e-cigarettes.

At the bill’s public hearing, four teens from the Enfield Youth Council, Izzy Dinnald, Jaci Martinez-Estrada, Alicia Lizotte, and Nicholina Parolo testified in support of this bill. They talked about their experiences, seeing a sharp increase in their classmates using electronic nicotine devices as young as the age of 11. They pointed out that the average age an underage nicotine user first engages with these products is just 13. These teens advocated for this legislation to help dealers become more aware of the power they have to combat this crisis and reduce the accessibility of these products to teens.

“The advocacy of these civically engaged youth is remarkable. Folks found in violation of selling to minors are flaunting the public policy created by this legislature. We do not pass bills lightly. Nicotine products are dangerous and addictive, and we mean business in rooting out this behavior at the source.” Remarked Senator John Kissel

“Nicotine addiction is starting before high school, and most of these kids will continue to use their entire lives. 44% of Enfield youth said they have easy access to electronic nicotine products. This education system will spread awareness around Connecticut of the dangerous powers these retailers have over our future generations.” Said Nicholina Parolo, a high school student and member of the Enfield Youth Council.

“I don’t want to live in a world where I continuously see more people my age and younger develop these lifelong addictions that could lead to their death. These dealers need to understand the legal repercussions and physical/emotional effects of nicotine vapes on minors.” Said Jaci Martinez-Estrada, a high school student and member of the Enfield Youth Council.