By Eric Douglas
The recently completed legislative session included two bills aimed at reducing the number of teens and adults who smoke and use vaping products.
House Bill 5691 would direct $2.9 million toward vaping cessation from a settlement reached with the vaping company JUUL. In total, the company agreed to pay the state nearly $7.9 million for marketing its products to minors.
A separate piece of legislation that would have taken a small piece of interest from the state’s Rainy Day B fund never made it out of the House Banking and Insurance committee.
A report from the American Cancer Society notes that more than 28% of West Virginia high school students use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. That despite the age to purchase the products being set at 21 years of age.
Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in West Virginia, accounting for about 4,200 deaths annually. And about 20% of West Virginia adults smoke.
Nearly 38% of the state’s cancer deaths can be attributed to smoking, the highest rate in the country. Currently, West Virginia spends about $300,000 on smoking cessation and prevention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the state spend approximately $27 million.
Morrisey has 15 days to sign the bill, let it become law without his signature, or veto it.
