A group of high school students from across Vermont visited the Statehouse this week to combat the influence of the tobacco industry on young people.
The students were with the Health Department’s Our Voices Exposed (OVX) campaign, which aims to empower young people to get involved in tobacco prevention.
Lt. Gov. Phil Scott told the group to advocate for better prevention by talking to their legislators, but also encouraged them to lead by example and make healthy choices in their own lives.
Tian Berry, a Burlington High School senior, said the OVX chapter at her school visited local convenience stores to see what tobacco products they sell and how they’re marketed. She said many of the products are set at eye level for children and feature advertising that would appeal to them.
Each year the industry spends $18 million on marketing in Vermont, according to the Health Department. Much of that money, 93 percent, goes toward point-of-sale advertising, according to the Center for Public Health and Tobacco Policy.
In Vermont 13 percent of high school students are current smokers, and 1,000 adults die each year from smoking, according to Health Department figures.
Two House bills aimed at youth tobacco cessation are now before the House Human Services Committee.
One bill, H.59, from Rep. Patti Komline, R-Dorset, would ban the sale of flavored liquid nicotine for e-cigarettes. The bill makes an exception for menthol, because it is focused on removing products that Komline said directly appeal to young people.
“Clearly, they’re targeting our children and our young people,” Komline said, with sexually suggestive ads and vaping clubs for e-cigarette users.
Sandra Brauer, a counselor at Enosburg Falls High School and adviser in the OVX program, said flavored products are a “tactic” of the tobacco industry to target youth, and said she thinks Komline’s ban makes sense.
Another bill, H.93, from Rep. George Till, D-Jericho, would increase the smoking age from 18 to 21.
Other tobacco legislation could emanate from the House with Rep. Alison Clarkson, D-Woodstock, expected to introduce a bill raising the tobacco tax, and Rep. Bill Frank, D-Underhill, expected to introduce a bill banning e-cigarette use in public spaces.
