DeLauro Calls Out Trump’s Hypocrisy on E-Cigarette Flavors Ban

WASHINGTON, DC — (November 18, 2019) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement after news reports that President Trump has backed down from his plans to ban e-cigarette flavors.

"President Trump's failure to keep his word on banning kid-friendly e-cigarette flavors jeopardizes the health of our next generation. He made a promise more than two months ago in the Oval Office, but now it appears that special interests are more important to him than our youngsters' health. That is unacceptable. Youth vaping is at epidemic levels, and flavors like mango, mint, cotton candy, and gummy bears are a key factor. One in four high-schoolers are using e-cigarettes, and the Trump administration is doing nothing. This is a public health crisis, and we need strong public leadership to take it on."

Late last month, the House of Representatives passed DeLauro's e-cigarette legislation, the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, which closes loopholes that exempt online e-cigarette retailers from federal age verification requirements. Recent research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that teen vaping use is continuing to increase, and that kids are attracted to use e-cigarette products by various flavors, including mango and mint.