Bill would ban sales of vaporizers & accessories to minors

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez

Also addresses public health concerns

By THE STAR STAFF

Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives Carlos “Johnny” Méndez Nuñez, along with Rep. Pedro Julio “Pelle” Santiago Guzmán, announced the filing on Wednesday of House Bill (HB) 1070, which prohibits the sale of vaporizers, liquid substance or cartridge with flavor and/or aroma other than nicotine for use in ‘vaping’ devices to minors under 21 years of age.

“In the United States, the use of e-cigarettes and vaporizers has been classified as an epidemic, turning a new generation of teenagers into addicts,” the House speaker said. “Above all, it’s recognized that when they consider quitting, they suffer the same typical withdrawal symptoms. Furthermore, their use is associated with the disease known as ‘popcorn lung,’ in which people suffer from bronchiolitis obliterans, a condition that damages the smallest airways. That’s why it’s necessary to prohibit their use among our minors.”

Several U.S. states, including New Jersey, New York, California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have banned the sale of flavored tobacco products. Other states, including Florida, Utah, Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut, Delaware and Colorado, have significantly limited the variety of flavors available.

“In Puerto Rico, there is a law prohibiting the sale of electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes to minors under 21 years of age. However, times have changed, and new devices for producing inhalable aerosol have emerged, known as vaporizers,” Santiago noted. “Unlike electronic cigarettes, these are customizable, larger, and more powerful, allowing users to adjust the temperature of the liquids used. The liquids contain varying concentrations of nicotine and other substances such as propylene glycol and glycerin. They are also often mixed with other chemical compounds and even flavorings to make them more appealing.”

In the local market, the most recognized brands of electronic cigarettes and vaporizers are JUUL, Elf Bar, Geek Bar and Smok. Their use has become fashionable and poses a risk to citizens, particularly teenagers and young adults, the lawmakers said.

The use of vaporizers and similar devices has been cleverly promoted as an alternative to traditional cigarettes, claiming they have no harmful health effects. However, according to reports published by the World Health Organization in 2014, electronic cigarettes or vaporizers contain nicotine and can be just as addictive as tobacco. Furthermore, exposure to propylene glycol causes short-term irritation of the eyes and respiratory system.

HB 1070 creates the “Law to Regulate the Sale of Vaporizers in Puerto Rico,” which, in addition to prohibiting the sale of the aforementioned products to minors under 21 years of age, also empowers the Department of Health to regulate, establish fines and authorize the confiscation and disposal of products that are in contravention of the initiative.