In the United States, San Francisco city supervisors met last Tuesday to implement a disturbing project: To become the first city in the country to ban all e-cigarette sales to prevent youth from vaping.
THE E-CIGARETTE, A " PRODUCT THAT SHOULD NOT EVEN BE ON THE MARKET«
Control authorities unanimously approved the ban on the sale and distribution of e-cigarettes in the city. They also approved the ban on making e-cigarettes on city grounds. The measures will require a subsequent vote before becoming applicable law.
« We spent the 90s fighting tobacco, and now we see its new form with the e-cigarette."Said the supervisor Shamann Walton.
Supervisors have acknowledged that the legislation will not completely stop young people from vaping, but they hope the move is just the start.
« It's about thinking about the next generation of users and protecting overall health. We need to send a message to the rest of the state and to the country: follow our example"Said the supervisor Ahsha Safaí.
The city prosecutor, Dennis Herrera, said that young people have almost blind access to a product that should not even be on the market". " Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet completed its study to assess the consequences of e-cigarettes on public health " did he declare, " She did not approve or reject the e-cigarette and unfortunately it is up to states and localities to fix the situation."
BAN ON E-CIGARETTE FOR ADULTS WILL NOT SOLVE!
Juul Labs, a leading e-cigarette company in San Francisco, sees vaping as a real alternative to traditional cigarettes. Juul Labs says it has taken steps to deter children
to use its products. The company said in a statement that it has made its online age verification process more robust and closed its Instagram and Facebook accounts in an attempt to deter vapers under the age of 21.
« San Francisco's adult vape ban will not effectively address underage use and leave cigarettes as the only choice for smokers, even though they kill 40 Californians each year“Said the spokesperson for Juul, Ted Kwong.
Tuesday's vote also paves the way for a battle for the November e-cigarette poll. Juul has already donated 500 000 dollars to the Coalition for Reasonable Regulation of the Vape, which has to gather signatures to present an initiative on the issue to voters.
The American Vaping Association also opposed San Francisco's proposal, saying adult smokers deserve access to less dangerous alternatives. " Taking on the youth was a step to take before also removing it from the hands of adults“Said association president Gregory Conley.
Groups representing small businesses have also opposed these measures, which could force stores to close. " We must apply the rules we already have in place" , said Carlos Solórzano, CEO of the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The supervisor Shamann Walton specifies for its part that it would create a working group to support small businesses and address their concerns.
