Press Release: Councilmember Vincent C. Gray Introduces Anti-Vaping Bill to Discourage Youth Vaping Amid Rising Nationwide Vapor-Related Illnesses and Deaths

News Release — Ward 7 DC Council member Vincent Gray

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 17, 2019

Contact: Takiyah “T.N.” Tate

Washington, D.C. – Today, Ward 7 Councilmember and Chair of the Council’s Committee on Health Vincent C. Gray introduced the “Prohibition of Electronic Smoking Sales Without A Prescription Act of 2019.” This bill seeks to address the extraordinary health risks brought on from vaping and to prevent our District youth from becoming addicted to nicotine. Anyone who has been following the news has seen reports from across the country about evolving evidence that vaping can lead to irreversible lung damage and lung disease. There are 380 cases of serious lung illnesses reported from 36 states and one U.S. territory, and the number is growing daily. Tragically, this has led to seven deaths in six different states. The Center for Disease Control has released interim recommendations for healthcare providers, health departments, and the public urging people to refrain from using e-cigarette or vaping products until more is known about the health impacts. 

With this legislation, Councilmember Gray, a staunch anti-tobacco advocate, joins New York, Michigan and other states in introducing legislation to combat negative vapor-related outcomes. 

“While we continue to learn more about the long-term harmful effects vaping products and e- cigarettes have on a person’s lungs, what we know now with certainty, is that these products contain high levels of nicotine. Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical. What is most concerning to me is that a new generation of young people can get hooked on nicotine through vaping and electronic smoking, ” Gray said. 

A study by Johns Hopkins medicine found that the most concerning thing about the rise of vaping and e-cigarettes is that people who would have never smoked otherwise, especially youth, are taking up the habit, and, it often leads to using traditional tobacco products down the road. Even though it is illegal to sell e-cigarettes to youth under the age of 21 in the District, resourceful youth are still easily able to get ahold of e-cigarettes and vaping products. It has become clear in recent months that we are only beginning to learn the extent of the long-term negative impact vaping and e-cigarettes have on a person’s lungs. 

Therefore, Gray went on to say, “Until more is known about the long-term adverse health impact of vaping, any use of electronic smoking devices and vaping products should be carefully monitored by a physician through a prescription. I intend to hold a hearing on this legislation and the other vaping products legislation I co-introduced, in the very near future so we can stay ahead of this emerging health crisis.” 

####