Contact:
Mara Powell
502-895-8167 *122
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement by Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

Kentucky is one step closer to ensuring a new generation of children and teens aren’t at risk of the harms of nicotine with today’s passage of House Bill 11, championed by Representative Kim Moser, Chair of the House Health and Family Services Committee. Though the commonwealth has seen the rate in teens smoking declining, we now need to tackle the boom in e-cigarette use, and this legislation seeks to do just that by enacting a tobacco- and e-cigarette-free school campus policies. The peak years for first trying tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, are 6th and 7th grades – these are little kids who are getting hooked on nicotine. And a comprehensive tobacco-free campus policy that expands across the state can help prevent students from ever risking addiction.

We applaud Chairwoman Moser and members of the Health and Family Services Committee for prioritizing the health of Kentucky kids. All students deserve to learn and grow in a healthy school environment.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.