By Helen Smith, K5
January 9, 2025- A bill filed for consideration by Washington lawmakers would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products in the state – this includes flavored vape cartridges and menthol cigarettes.
The legislation, HB 1203, was filed on Wednesday. It would also ban newer products that pair the act of consuming tobacco or nicotine with a gaming component.
The bill text specifically cites how the tobacco industry is targeting young people and people of color with their product marketing and offerings as justification for the ban.
Washington lawmakers have tried to ban flavored vape products before. This time, they’re also going after menthol cigarettes, a commonly used tobacco product that has a long history in the United States. A 2020 national survey showed that over 43% of people who self-reported smoking cigarettes smoked menthols.
The tobacco industry has engaged in decades-long targeted marketing campaigns of menthol cigarettes specifically to Black customers. It is the most commonly smoked type of cigarette among people of color, according to national data.
Bill sponsor state Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way) said her own mother began smoking menthol cigarettes at the age of nine.
“I’ve seen first-hand the detrimental harm that engaging in a life-long practice of tobacco can bring,” Reeves said.
Reeves’ mother died of lung cancer at 60 years old.
Another attempt to ban flavored vape products in WA
The push to ban flavored vape products has drawn broad support from state and local officials who are concerned with the rise of tobacco and nicotine use among young people.
State data shows that a growing percentage of young people are trying flavored tobacco and nicotine products and using them regularly. A survey of Washington state students shows that nicotine use and experimentation are becoming an issue as early as late elementary school.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal said schools have to dedicate resources that could be used for instructional time to address vaping in particular.
“It’s totally contradictory to our (basic education) goals when we see so much resource being spent trying to (manage) something that, quite frankly, has pitted us against an industry that’s harming kids when we’re trying to help kids,” Reykdal said.
Washington state officials have tried to ban or limit the accessibility of flavored vape products for years. Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency temporary ban on flavored vaping products in October of 2019. A bill was introduced to try and make the ban permanent during the following legislative session, but it failed to make it through the House.
This bill has a companion bill that has also been pre-filed for introduction in the state Senate, SB 5183, sponsored by state Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Tacoma).
