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

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

With today’s passage of House Bill 32 to enact a tax on e-cigarette products, the Kentucky House strengthened their commitment to facing the youth e-cigarette use epidemic head on. E-cigarettes put our young people at risk of nicotine addiction, serious lung injury or disease, and other harmful health outcomes. In 2018, the Kentucky General Assembly made a much needed move to increase the tax on cigarettes but unfortunately did not enact a tax on e-cigarettes. A tax on e-cigarettes equivalent to that on cigarettes is a proven way to prevent usage among youth and can reduce future healthcare costs and provide additional revenue for the state budget.

We applaud Representative Jerry Miller and the Kentucky House for passing House Bill 32 and ask that, as it advances to the Senate, the measure go a step further by enacting a tax equivalent to that currently on cigarettes to make a real impact for young people. Our kids depend on adults speaking up for the best interests of their health and well-being.

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.