Law

Miramar Bans E-Cigarette Sales to Minors

MIRAMAR – The Miramar commission unanimously voted last Wednesday to prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes, similar nicotine dispensing vaporizers and liquid nicotine to minors.

“It is imperative to protect our youth from products like e-cigarettes. Deceptive marketing practices that prey on our minors has no place in Miramar and I am pleased to have my proposed ordinance adopted by the city commission,” said Commissioner Wayne Messam.

Battery powered electronic cigarettes convert liquid nicotine and other additives into vapor that users inhale.  Known as e-cigarettes, they are currently unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Center for Disease Control Director, Dr. Tom Frieden, has stated that teens that start with e-cigarettes may be “condemned to struggling with a lifelong addiction to nicotine and conventional cigarettes.”  Approximately 90% of all smokers begin smoking as teenagers. According to the CDC, the percentage of U.S. middle and high school students who use e-cigarettes, more than doubled from 2011 to 2012.

“E-Cigarettes are often marketed to minors and come in flavors like bubble gum, cotton candy and chocolate,” said Commissioner Messam. “We are doing what we can to protect the health of Miramar’s youth by being a responsible city and taking action against the sale of electronic cigarettes to children.”

The ordinance also promotes a ban on the use of e-cigarette devices in places where traditional tobacco is currently banned under the Florida State Statute 386.

“Although they are sold as a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes, the vaporized form of nicotine that e-cigarettes could emit is still addictive, said Assistant Chief Dexter Williams, who presented the ordinance to the commission.  “Teens are getting their first taste of nicotine through e-cigarettes. We want to prevent it from becoming a gateway to traditional cigarettes.”

Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease, disability and death in the U.S.

South Florida Caribbean News

The SFLCN.com Team provides news and information for the Caribbean-American community in South Florida and beyond.

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