Doctors, Nurses, and Hospitals Support Governor Brown’s Ban on Flavored Vaping Products, Oct. 7

Health care providers united on temporary ban on flavored vaping products and advocate for raising the price of tobacco and e-cigarettes Lake Oswego, Ore. – October 4, 2019 – Doctors, nurses, and hospitals today expressed strong support for Governor Kate Brown’s call for a temporary ban on flavored e-cigarette products in Oregon. Liquid flavors such as bubble gum, fruit, and mint appeal to kids, and limiting access is an important step in preventing youth use and stopping a possible lifelong addiction. Health care provider organizations across the state are united on the temporary ban and continue to advocate for raising the price of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes as the next important step to deter tobacco and nicotine use among Oregonians of all ages. Providers released the following joint statement: “We strongly support the Governor’s proposed regulatory, legislative and educational actions to address the current health crisis around vaping, including an emergency ban on flavored vaping products. We have known for some time that vaping products – particularly those that are flavored – threaten to increase the number of youth addicted to nicotine. Given the increasing vaping-related illnesses and deaths over the last several months, urgent action is critical.” “We also know that raising the price of tobacco is the most effective way to get people to quit smoking and to discourage new tobacco users. When nicotine products cost more money, fewer people use them. This public health crisis has been decades in the making and includes both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes. That’s why we continue to advocate for raising the price of tobacco products and e-cigarettes. These actions are vital for preventing youth use and reducing overall rates for all types of tobacco use.”