Kristin Page Nei JENNIFER HEFFNER
An overwhelming number of Montana voters are concerned about tobacco use. So why do some members of the Montana Legislature continue to push bills on behalf of tobacco companies and against the wishes and health of Montanans?
For example, Senate Bill 398, sponsored by Sen. Jason Ellsworth, actually makes it easier for the tobacco industry to hook our kids and harder for Montana communities to protect them.
Montana is facing an epidemic of youth e-cigarette use. The number of Montana high school students regularly using e-cigarettes rose 263% between 2017 and 2019. Five times more youth than adults in our state use these addictive products. Yet, the aim of SB 398 is to prevent Montana communities from putting any restrictions on the sale of e-cigarettes, including the fruit- and candy-flavored products that are so successful in attracting and addicting our kids. Big Tobacco should not enjoy more protection than our children.