Your Opinion: Don't rush to protect e-cigarettes

Dear Editor:

The state Legislature's rush to pass an e-cigarette bill should give Missouri voters pause. Why?

Well, because SB841, being considered by the Missouri Senate, is not what it seems. This legislation has the potential to exempt e-cigarettes from our existing tobacco control laws and policies, and could prevent e-cigarettes from being regulated in the future, even if they are proven to be dangerous.

The Legislature should know that until further research is conducted, there is no reason that e-cigarettes should be treated differently than tobacco products. The tobacco industry has a long history of trying to ram legislation through state legislatures before the science is available. This legislation could allow these still unproven, untested and unregulated devices to dodge tobacco control laws.

Many people don't realize that some e-cigarettes may contain toxins which cause cancer, and nicotine which forces addiction. E-cigarettes look and behave like traditional cigarettes and there is no reason we should treat them any differently.

Missourians should tell their senator to support an amendment to SB841 that would include e-cigarettes and other electronic smoking devices in Missouri's current definition of tobacco products. Tell your senator that we do not need a lengthy bill with language that prevents future regulation and undermines our existing tobacco control laws to keep these products out of the hands of kids.

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