11-7-19 tobacco 21 hearing

Wisconsin lawmakers are moving ahead with a bill that would limit the sale of vaping and other tobacco products to people over age 21.  Fond du Lac County Tobacco Control program coordinator Sandy Bernier says a proposed Tobacco 21 bill is part of an overall strategy to reduce tobacco use by young people.   The measure would increase the minimum age for buying products containing nicotine and tobacco from 18 to 21.    It would also prohibit anyone from selling or providing vaping paraphernalia, such as vape pens, to anyone under 21.   Bernier says while youth cigarette smoking in Wisconsin is down, the number of  kids vaping has exploded in recent years.  Proponents argue it would stunt the growth in popularity of e-cigarettes among young people. Use by high school students is increasing despite concerns about damage the chemicals in the devices may cause to the heart and lungs.    Bernier  says the recent reports of severe lung illnesses caused by vaping may have been, at least in part, an impetus for the bill.  The Assembly committee on substance abuse and prevention held a hearing
 
on the bipartisan proposal Wednesday.

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