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Parents across Maine know how quickly trends can reach our children. That is why youth vaping and nicotine use deserve continued attention in Washington.
During a Senate Health Education Labor and Pension Committee hearing last week Sen. Susan Collins asked Surgeon General nominee Dr. Nicole Saphier about flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine products and their potential appeal to young people. The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reports that roughly 90% of youth e-cigarette and nicotine-pouch users use flavored products. Saphier discussed the risks nicotine poses to adolescents while also saying she would examine evidence about whether some products could help adults move away from cigarettes.
The exchange put both youth protection and adult cessation on the public record. Maine parents benefit when these questions receive serious, evidence-based discussion.
Thank you, Sen. Collins, for standing up for our children.
August Levesque
Bath