A bill aimed at curbing youth tobacco use was heard in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee Friday.
Senate Bill 5183, sponsored by Sen. T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest), would ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes, flavored vapes, and nicotine pouches. The bill also prohibits “entertainment vapor products” — devices designed with interactive features like video games and animations to attract young users.
“Flavored tobacco is a trap, not a choice,” Nobles said. “These products are engineered to appeal to kids, and the data shows they work. If we’re serious about public health, we must shut down the pipeline that feeds addiction before it starts.”
Research cited in the bill shows eight out of 10 young tobacco users start with flavored products. In Washington, 14% of 12th graders and 8% of 10th graders vape, with 88% using flavored options. Menthol cigarettes, which make smoking easier to start and harder to quit, are used by half of all young cigarette smokers.
The bill also directs the Department of Health to develop a statewide education campaign on the dangers of flavored tobacco and nicotine and empowers the Liquor and Cannabis Board to enforce the ban, including penalties for retailers who violate the law.
Follow its progress here.
Prohibition historically shows limited success in curbing demand, as demonstrated by increased alcohol consumption during the 1920s. Similarly, banning flavored tobacco products may not eliminate youth nicotine use but instead drive it underground or toward unregulated markets, creating enforcement challenges and potential safety risks. Education and harm reduction strategies, such as regulating access and increasing awareness of health impacts, may be more effective. While protecting youth is critical, focusing on prevention through awareness campaigns and parental involvement could yield better long-term outcomes than outright bans, which often fail to address the root causes of addiction and risky behaviors.