Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

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

LOUISVILLE, KY – Kids flat out won today as Senator Jimmy Higdon’s Senate Bill 100 passed the Senate floor – emphasizing the Member’s commitment to youth health and holding those accountable who may jeopardize a kid’s chance at a healthy, addiction-free future.

In an effort to enforce the Tobacco-21 law, SB 100 seeks to hold retailers accountable for underage tobacco, nicotine, and vapor product sales by establishing a division within ABC to conduct annual compliance checks and outline penalties for those selling to kids. The bill will also ensure 50% of collected fines will support youth vaping prevention and education programs – an added bonus to protect kids even further from the harmful effects of vaping.

We applaud Senator Higdon for his leadership on SB 100 and thank the Kentucky Senate for its support today. We now urge the House to act with the same urgency and discernment in tackling the youth vaping epidemic, so these products never end up in the hands of our kids.

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.