On the recordFebruary 28, 2020
I am not here to target people of color. I am here to save lives. I support this legislation because it closes an effective tax loophole for e-cigarettes and taxes them just accordingly as tobacco. It prohibits the manufacture of flavored tobacco and, more importantly, actually prohibits companies from marketing or promoting e-cigarettes to youth under the age of 21. That is an important element. It makes sure that the grants that are gotten from those dollars are utilized for outreach and education, for evidence-based smoking- cessation programs. It awards grants to make tobacco-cessation therapies and counseling available to community health centers. We have to save lives. People of color die disproportionately through tobacco products, including these flavored cigarettes. The NAACP says flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, have driven the youth epidemic and more than half of youth smokers. Organizations like the National Black Nurses Association, African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council, Black Women's Health Imperative, and National Hispanic Medical Association all support this. Madam Speaker, I am here to save lives. That is why I am supporting this legislation. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2339, the ``Protecting American Lungs and Reversing Youth Tobacco Epidemic Act.'' I support this important lifesaving and life-extending legislation because it: 1.…
