The US state of Oregon is discussing a bill that would ban the sale of flavored nicotine products. Tobacco shop owners fear a total ban would hurt business and lead to an expanding black market.
Key points:
- Oregon plans to ban the sale of all flavored tobacco products.
- Supporters say the ban will help reduce teen use of flavored vapes, while tobacco shop owners say it could lead to an expansion of the black market.
- Some people think the ban could push users back to traditional cigarettes.
According to KGW8 on March 4, a bill in Oregon aimed at banning flavored nicotine products held its first hearing on the same day.
The bill would ban the sale or distribution of any “flavored tobacco product” in the state. Sen. Lisa Reynolds said the bill is broadly worded to cover any flavored product that contains tobacco or nicotine and could even involve “things we haven’t thought of.”
The bill would also ban promotional giveaways and other free distribution of all tobacco products, whether flavored or not. In addition, all cigarettes, vapes, and smokeless tobacco products can only be sold at licensed retailers.
At a hearing before the Senate Committee on Early Childhood and Behavioral Health, dozens of people spoke out about the bill. Students, parent advocates, and lawmakers are primarily concerned about the health risks of tobacco and the appeal of flavored vapes to teens and young adults. However, several tobacco shop owners said it is already illegal for people under 21 to buy e-cigarettes and tobacco products, arguing that a total ban on flavored products would seriously hurt their business and could lead to an expansion of the black market for flavored products.
Senator David Brock Smith, R-S.C., argued that vapes and smokeless tobacco products are less harmful to users’ health than traditional cigarettes and that banning these alternatives could prompt some users to return to traditional cigarettes.
