Political Quotes

“Today we finally comprehensively address America's resurgent youth nicotine epidemic. In 2019 more than 5.3 million middle and high school students used e- cigarettes, double the number who reported vaping just 2 years before. It is no surprise when flavors like gummy bear and cotton candy are used to lure children to e-cigarettes. And the aggressive digital marketing aimed at minors, like the campaigns Juul admitted to running, obviously work. But this Republican administration failed to holistically address this issue. Worse, they caved to Big Tobacco by embracing a woefully inadequate flavor ban. So this bill does just what this administration refused to; it bans flavors and proactively combats this epidemic. I am grateful to Chairman Pallone for including language from my legislation, the PROTECT Act, that directs the CDC to implement a successful--like the anti-tobacco youth campaign was--youth anti-vaping education and prevention campaign. That is vital because if a child never starts vaping, we keep them off this perilous path to nicotine addiction. Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this bill to stand up to Big Tobacco and to protect the health of young people.”