UPDATE
The Leon County Commission votes to move forward with vaping resolution.
Original Story
The Leon County Commissioners will vote on a resolution to support statewide anti-vaping legislation at their December 10 meeting. The proposed resolution comes as a national flareup of vaping-related illnesses has raised questions about the safety of vaping.
According to an article in the New York Times, “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state agencies have reported 2,291 lung injury cases and 48 deaths linked to vaping.”
The article reports that vaping-related illnesses can include inflammation, fluid, and injuries resembling chemical burns in the lungs.
Leon County’s proposed resolution acknowledges that vape ingredients have been linked to these lung problems.
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The resolution supports statewide legislation to raise the legal age to purchase smoking and vaping products from 18 to 21 years old. It also notes support for regulating vape and tobacco retailers consistently, as vape retailers are currently regulated separately and do not require licenses.
Staff reports that tobacco retailers in Florida “are required to obtain a state retail tobacco dealer permit and post a clear and conspicuous sign that the sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18 and that proof of age is required for purchase.”
The proposed resolution follows the lead of other governments in Florida and other states that have raised the legal age to purchase tobacco.
“Nearly 500 counties and municipalities around the country, as well as 18 states, have adopted ordinances or laws to raise the minimum age for the purchase of tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 years of age in recent years,” staff reports.
So far, Alachua County and Fort Lauderdale are the only governments in Florida that have passed these ordinances.
If the Commissioners adopt the resolution, according to the meeting agenda, it will be sent to the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and others to show support for statewide changes in legislation regarding vaping.
Leon County Commissioners to Vote on Vaping Resolution added by Lexie Pitzen on
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when they raise the age for war mongering to 21, then this will be fine. Until then, an 18 yr old willing and able to protect us should be able to buy a beer or have a smoke if he/she so chooses.
“Leon County Commissioners to Vote on spanking Vaping Business Owners due to no meaningful political contributions being made by the owners to date.”
WHY are you wasting Money & Resources on this if it is going to be a “Statewide Anti-Vaping Legislation” Bill already?