The rapidly growing use of nicotine products among our nation’s youth is one of the most critical public health issues currently facing our country. In 2019 alone, electric cigarette use by high schoolers spiked 28% compared to 2018 and doubled between 2017 and 2020.

To ensure the future health of our communities, we must help young people avoid becoming hooked on these addictive products. Flavored tobacco plays a key role in convincing young people to try these products. Kaiser Permanente supports removing all flavored tobacco products from the market, including flavored e-cigarettes.

In order to ensure that our country’s young people have the best possible chance of growing up free from nicotine addiction we support:

• Banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products including menthol in cigarettes and e-cigarettes
• Promoting efforts by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce levels of nicotine in combustible products to minimal or subaddictive levels
• Raising the minimum legal age for purchasing nicotine products to 21

In support of our policy priorities, Kaiser Permanente has acted on policies that:

• Remove flavored tobacco products from the market at the local, state, and federal levels
• Raise the minimum age for purchasing nicotine products to 21, including state and local policies to complement local enforcement of the Federal Tobacco 21 law

The COVID-19 pandemic makes these reforms even more critical. An emerging body of evidence suggests that smokers may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 complications.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020.
² Truth Initiative, 2018.
³ Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, 2020.