DRAFT
ORDINANCE NO. _ __
1/31/2019
MINIMUM AGE FOR SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS BE IT ENACTED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL IN SESSION: §
-1. Findings of Fact and Purpose.
1. Tobacco use is one of the foremost preventable causes of premature death in America. 2. About ninety-five percent (95%) of adult smokers began smoking before they turn 21. The ages of 18 to 21 are a critical period when many smokers move from experimental smoking to regular, daily use. 3. Young people are particularly susceptible to the addictive properties of tobacco products. Tobacco industry documents show that individuals who start smoking by the age of 18 are almost twice as likely to become lifetime smokers as those who start after they turn 21. 4. Most people who are not smokers by 21 years of age do not start smoking later in their lives. 5. Electronic smoking device use among minors has recently tripled. 6. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is highly addictive and may harm the development of the adolescent brain into the early to mid-20s. 7. Increases in adolescent vaping from 2017 to 2018 were the largest adolescent substance use recorded in 43 years. 8. The e-cigarette aerosol that users breathe from the device and exhale can contain harmful and potentially harmful substances, including: • • • • • • •
Nicotine Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs Flavoring such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease Volatile organic compounds Cancer-causing chemicals Heavy metals such as lead, chromium, cadmium Ethanol