WHEREAS, Big Tobacco companies are using flavors and cheap prices to get kids to use dangerous vaping, JUUL, and e-cigarette products; AND

WHEREAS, E-cigarettes are dangerous and contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals; AND

WHEREAS, Nicotine is bad for you and one Juul pod contains the same amount of nicotine as ONE PACK of cigarettes; AND

WHEREAS, Nicotine is derived from tobacco, is addictive and is a gateway to traditional cigarette use and has immediate short-term negative health impacts with brain development, popcorn lung and leads to cardiovascular issues: AND

WHEREAS, Youth & teen vaping/e-cigarette use is at alarming rates and Massachusetts is the 8th worst state in the country in terms of high school use of electronic cigarettes; AND

WHEREAS, Flavors make it easier for kids to start using tobacco products and now nearly 25% of high schoolers are now using e-cigarettes/vaping/Juul: AND

WHEREAS, Kids are now using these products at a rate that is 6 times higher than adults; AND WHEREAS, Flavoring is designed to lure kids to vaping products; AND

WHEREAS, Flavors are already banned in cigarettes (with the exemption of mint and menthol); AND

WHEREAS, Vaping/Juul/e-cigarette products are not subject to an excise like other tobacco products making them cheaper for kids who are price sensitive; AND

WHEREAS, The MASSACHUSETTS PTA, upon consideration of all data and information, has deemed the issue of pediatric and adolescent addiction and addiction potential to vaping and e-cigarette materials an issue of grave public health concern.

BE IT RESOLVED the MASSACHUSETTS PTA Supports a ban on flavored tobacco products and creating excise parity for e-cigarettes and other vaping products.

     On behalf of the MASSACHUSETTS PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION (PTA)