(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) joined Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Kelly Armstrong (R-ND) today in introducing the bipartisan Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act. The legislation would require in-person age verification upon delivery of online purchases of e-cigarette and vapor products.
“We are in the midst of a youth vaping epidemic. Today, 1 in 5 high school students use e-cigarettes. We need to use every tool possible to prevent even more kids from starting to smoke. Yet a loophole under current law exempts online e-cigarette retailers from federal requirements to verify the age of their customers. Combined with industry’s deceptive and reckless marketing tactics, kids are easily able to obtain these products online,” said DeLauro. “This is unacceptable, and it is putting our youngsters’ health at risk. That is why we need to pass the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act to close this loophole and keep our children safe from the vaping epidemic.”
“Minors can’t buy e-cigarettes in a store and they shouldn’t be able to buy them online either,” said Armstrong. “This bill requires that an adult sign for a delivery of e-cigarettes, treating them the same as all other nicotine products.”
The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act would:
- Require online age verification for the purchase of e-cigarettes, hookahs, cigars and related devices.
- Require age verification at delivery of the above products.
- Comply with all state and local tobacco tax requirements.
Original cosponsors of the bill include House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Doug Collins (R-GA) and Reps. Joe Wilson (R-SC), J. Luis Correa (D-CA), Steve Womack (R-AR), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sean Duffy (R-WI), French Hill (R-AR), and Mike Gallagher (R-WI).
A companion bill in the Senate is being led by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
The bill is supported by a broad coalition including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, California Physicians Alliance, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Children's Health Fund, Go2Foundation for Lung Cancer, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, National Association of Convenience Stores, Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America, National Association of Truck Stop Operators, Petroleum Marketers Association of America, and Convenience Distribution Association.
###