American Lung Association Praises Passage of Act to Prevent Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children

In response to the U.S. House of Representative’s vote today to pass the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act, American Lung Association National President and CEO Harold Wimmer issued the following statement: 

“The American Lung Association applauds the House of Representatives passage of the bipartisan Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act. This act will close loopholes that formerly allowed online retailers to circumvent age verification laws, putting the health of American kids at risk. 

No online retailer should be ae able to sell e-cigarettes to children just as retailers are not allowed to sell e-cigarettes to children in stores. E-cigarettes are not safe and can cause irreversible lung damage and disease. It is no coincidence that we continue to see vaping-related illnesses and deaths every week, as well as youth who are struggling to quit using these addictive products. 

The Lung Association is deeply concerned with the youth vaping epidemic that continues today, with kids as young as middle school who are using e-cigarettes. The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act is an encouraging next step in protecting the health of our children. 

We urge the Senate to pass its bipartisan companion bill, S.1253, sponsored by Senators Feinstein (D-CA) and John Cornyn (R-TX). Congress must continue to take action to stop a new generation of youth from becoming addicted to tobacco products.”

Learn more about e-cigarettes and lung health at Lung.org/ecigs. For media interested in speaking with an expert about e-cigarettes, tobacco use and lung health, contact the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7629.