RITCHIE BILL WOULD PREVENT E-CIGARETTE USE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

State Senator Patty Ritchie has announced her bipartisan legislation to protect the health of students across the state by prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as “e-cigarettes,” which are becoming increasingly popular among young people, on school property and school buses has unanimously passed the State Senate.

While tobacco use is banned on school grounds, current law does not prohibit e-cigarettes—which are not regulated by the FDA and as such are not subject to tobacco law—on school property. Under the measure, S. 4188-C, the use of e-cigarettes on school property, as well as on school buses would be prohibited. 

“As we continue our work to discourage children from taking up the deadly habit of smoking, deterring them from using e-cigarettes—which minors already aren’t allowed to purchase—is critically important,” said Senator Ritchie.

“Through this legislation, we are taking our efforts to protect children from the dangers of tobacco and keep them healthy one step further.”

E-cigarettes are not permitted to be sold to minors and many districts have taken steps on their own to prohibit their use on school grounds.  Meanwhile, studies have shown that an increasing number of young people are using the devices. According to a recent study by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), e-cigarette use among teens has gone up 800 percent since 2011.

Instead of burning tobacco like traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes heat a nicotine solution to create a vapor.  While little is known about their chemical makeup, testing by the FDA found that the use of e-cigarettes can cause users to inhale carcinogens and toxic chemicals, including an ingredient found in antifreeze. 

The measure was sent to the Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal.