OPINION
Letters from readers
Protect our youth from smoking and vaping
Over the years, the American Heart Association has made tremendous strides in reducing the devastating impact of smoking and vaping among youth. As board chair for the First Coast American Heart Association, I am committed to supporting policies that combat the dangers of traditional and electronic cigarettes, also known as ‘vaping.’ Sadly, 1 out of 4 high schoolers across the state of Florida use e-cigarettes today.
Preemption of local control over the sale and marketing of these products by communities is the tobacco industry’s highest priority. SB 1080 and HB 987 would preempt local government from passing necessary local tobacco retail licensure ordinances that would save lives by reducing tobacco use. These bills will punish young people, rather than holding retailers accountable. Furthermore, they waste taxpayer dollars by mandating duplicative regulatory and enforcement efforts by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).