Massachusetts Could Ban Flavored Vape, Tobacco Products

QUINCY, MA — Massachusetts could ban the sale of all flavored tobacco and electronic cigarette products if legislation from a state senator from Quincy passes. If Bill S. 1279, sponsored by Sen. John Keenan (D), passes, stores would only be able to sell tobacco products that taste like tobacco. Although many convenience stores across the state have removed fruit flavored products, particularly JUUL, from their shelves, the measure would go beyond that banning mint and menthol flavored cigarettes, cigars, and electronic cigarettes as well.

The bill, which was proposed in January, has since been referred to the State Senate's Committee on Public Health, but Keenan plans to continue the fight by proposing the ban as an amendment to the state budget.

"We’re filing this amendment to stand up to big tobacco," Keenan said on Twitter. "We’re filing this amendment to protect our kids from disease and addiction. We’re filing this amendment to end the trend."

According to Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, director of pediatric research at the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, one in five high school students in Massachusetts are using JUUL or other types of electronic cigarettes. He said many teens become interested because of the availability of different flavors.

Electronic cigarette company JUUL in its company newsletter said their products are not marketed to teens and have made their several of their fruit flavors only available online where the company can verify the age of customers.

"We don’t want anyone who doesn’t smoke, or already use nicotine, to use JUUL products, company CEO Kevin Burns said in a statement. "We certainly don’t want youth using the product. It is bad for public health, and it is bad for our mission. JUUL Labs and FDA share a common goal – preventing youth from initiating on nicotine."

Burns however acknowledged that teens are getting their products easily and more should be done.

"Our intent was never to have youth use JUUL products," Burns said. "But intent is not enough, the numbers are what matter, and the numbers tell us underage use of e-cigarette products is a problem. We must solve it."