SEATTLE — For the sixth year, lawmakers are proposing a ban on selling all flavored tobacco products.
“We’ve seen how these companies have targeted people for decades,” Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards said.
Washington tested this law in 2019 when the state temporarily banned flavored vape product sales for four months.
That came as a response to the rise in vaping-related lung injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control now reports four out of five kids ages 11-18 smoke flavored tobacco regularly.
“The prevalence of products….these industries are creating customers for life,” Chris Reykdal, state superintendent said.
Advocates with “Flavors Hook Kids” say that addiction needs to be cut off.
However, there is a flip side, Torch Vape Shop owner Chris Ward said these are popular items that help adults quit smoking cigarettes.
“There’s flavored stuff is probably about 90% of the stuff we sell,” Ward said.
He said if the ban passes he would lose his business. “Basically kill it there is no way we could maintain and keep going if that was to happen,” Ward continued.
He tells us that lawmakers are being hypocritical by focusing on flavored tobacco.
“There’s horrible things in our foods, there’s horrible things big companies put into the air but they’re going to single out this, it doesn’t make any sense,” Ward said.
Lawmakers tell us just because something is an accepted practice, doesn’t mean it should stay that way.
“I want to take this opportunity, environmental justice for them,” Kristine Reeves, the representative for the 30th District said.
This year’s legislative session kicks off on January 13. Since this law has been revised many times in past years, it could be fast-tracked if lawmakers express interest.
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