The Alaska Senate has voted 18-0 to prohibit the sales of e-cigarettes and vaporizers to Alaskans under 19 years old.<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 15<\/a>, proposed by Sen. Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, goes to the Alaska House of Representatives for consideration.<\/p>\n If approved there and signed by Gov. Bill Walker, SB 15 would expand Alaska’s existing ban on vaping by those under 19<\/a>. State law prohibits those under 19 from buying or otherwise acquiring e-cigarettes, vaporizers and the liquid used in those devices if they contain nicotine. Stevens’ bill aims to expand that prohibition to all electronic cigarettes, not just those that use nicotine.<\/p>\n Senate President Pete Kelly, said shortly before the vote that he was “dying” to hear the bill.<\/p>\n “I’m glad to hear you’re dying to hear this bill. I hope regular people are not dying to hear this bill,” Stevens said. “This is about protecting our children.”<\/p>\n The Alaska vaping trade organization, Clear the Air Alaska, has argued that e-cigarette use is a safer alternative to smoking<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stevens, speaking on the Senate floor, said that doesn’t mean it is safe. He pointed to a just-published article in the journal Pediatrics<\/a> that found elevated levels of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds in the bodies of teenagers who use e-cigarettes.<\/p>\n “These products are assumed to be safe and harmless, but that is absolutely not the truth,” Stevens said.<\/p>\n Sen. Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, echoed Stevens’ concern and said that with e-cigarette liquids flavored like “strawberry, candy and fruit,” there is no doubt in her mind that manufacturers are marketing to children.<\/p>\n