Maine Lawmakers to Hear Testimony on Ending Sale of Flavored Tobacco Products

Strategic Insights -

Maine lawmakers will soon hear testimony on a bill aimed at ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products in the state. The legislation, known as LD 1215, seeks to prohibit the sale of menthol cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products in Maine. The bill comes as the use of e-cigarettes and other flavored tobacco products has skyrocketed among Maine's youth, with nearly 1 in 5 high school students using some form of tobacco product in the last 30 days.

Key Takeaways:

  • Approximately 8 in 10 middle and high school students who currently use e-cigarettes report using flavored e-cigarettes.
  • Nearly 1 in 5 high school students in Maine use some form of tobacco product, with 30% of 12th graders using tobacco products in the last 30 days.
  • Over 1 in 20 Maine high school students smoke cigarettes.
  • Tobacco use is the largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States and Maine.
  • Smoking is responsible for 12 types of cancer, including oropharynx, larynx, lung/trachea/bronchus, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, cervix, bladder, colon, and acute myeloid leukemia.
  • Smoking is responsible for 34% of cancer deaths in Maine, making Maine the 9th highest state in the nation for tobacco-related cancer deaths.
  • Kaden Schneider, a high school junior from Brunswick High School, will deliver testimony at the hearing, highlighting the tobacco industry's targeting of youth with flavored tobacco products.
  • Schneider states that lawmakers need to take action to end the sale of flavored tobacco products in Maine to protect kids from the tobacco industry's targeted marketing.

Statistics:

  • 80% of middle and high school students who use e-cigarettes report using flavored e-cigarettes.
  • 20% of high school students in Maine use some form of tobacco product in the last 30 days.
  • 30% of 12th graders in Maine use tobacco products in the last 30 days.
  • 21% of Maine high school students smoke cigarettes.
  • 34% of cancer deaths in Maine are attributed to smoking.
  • Maine has the 9th highest rate of tobacco-related cancer deaths in the nation.

Sources:

  • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN)
  • U.S. Surgeon General
  • Maine State Legislature (LD 1215)