Vaping

Honolulu can set up a so-called “trigger ban” on flavored tobacco products if a 2018 state law falls. The Honolulu City Council on Wednesday passed Bill 46 to protect public health, and in particular the health of Oʻahu’s youth.

A bill to ban the sale of flavored tobacco on Oʻahu is seeing strong support — and opposition. While the goal of Bill 46 is to limit enticing vaping products, some are concerned the bill would additionally target sales of cigars and hookah.

Gov. Josh Green signed anti-vaping legislation into law on Tuesday in an effort to address the growing use of nicotine products, especially among youth in Hawaiʻi. Critics say an increase in prices could lead to an increase in traditional cigarette use.

The campaign aims to reach and educate youth through different platforms about the negative impacts of nicotine on mental health.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 18% of middle school students in the state use e-cigarettes. Of those students, 30% are of Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander ancestry.

Gov. David Ige said while he supports efforts to curb vape use, he couldn’t find any anti-tobacco advocates who supported the measure.

The company "will finally be held accountable for creating the youth vaping epidemic," the advocacy group Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes told NPR. Juul said it plans to fight the decision.

Advocates against vaping and the tobacco industry are both voicing their disappointment in a bill intended to ban all flavored tobacco products in the islands. Meanwhile, some lawmakers are calling the measure a success by finding a compromise. HPR’s Casey Harlow has more.

Does anyone really think smoking is a good idea these days? Well, these days it’s not just about cigarettes. Vaping is more common than ever, especially among our youth. Kids as young as middle school are being targeted by ads, flavored vaping liquids and more. Scott Stensrud of the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii is on the line sharing his work on how it will take a student led effort to help the next generation make smart choices to avoid smoking, or vaping, and protect their health.

About 31% of high school students in Hawaiʻi say they vape. The number is higher actually for neighbor islands — close to about 36%.