May 6, 2014

GOV. MALLOY APPLAUDS FINAL PASSAGE OF BILL BANNING THE SALE OF E-CIGARETTES TO MINORS

(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today released the following statement on the State House of Representative's passage of a bill he introduced that would prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes and other devices to minors and strengthen Connecticut's anti-smoking laws.

"By prohibiting the sale of e-cigs and other vapor products to minors, we are preventing our youth from engaging in behaviors that may lead to addiction to nicotine, or use of other more conventional tobacco products," Governor Malloy said. "We cannot wait for federal action on this issue. I especially want to thank Speaker Sharkey, Majority Leader Aresimowicz and Committee Chair Urban for their leadership on a bill that will reduce tobacco use and tobacco-related illnesses, and help keep our youngsters healthy."

The Governor's Senate Bill 24 , An Act Concerning the Governor's Recommendations Regarding Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Youth Smoking Prevention , seeks to enhance the state's efforts to prevent tobacco use among minors by banning the sale of e-cigarettes and other vapor products to minors, reducing the number of tobacco retailers who commit repeat offenses by implementing a tobacco prevention education program for first-time offenders, cracking down on the sale of loose cigarettes, and investing in tobacco prevention and cessation efforts.

The bill, which was approved today in the House by a vote of 144-0, passed the Senate by a vote of 35-0.

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For Immediate Release: May 6, 2014

Contact: Andrew Doba

Andrew.Doba@ct.gov

860-524-7308 (office)
860-770-8090 (cell)

Facebook: Office of Governor Dannel P. Malloy