WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

New law by Rep. Eileen Cody would ban flavored tobacco aimed at kids

OLYMIA — Most people who start smoking do it when they’re underage, and flavored tobacco is aimed directly at kids.

That’s why Rep. Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) wrote legislation to stop the sale of such products and reform how tobacco is sold in this state.

“Forty-five kids a day start smoking in Washington state,” said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. “About seventy-five people a day die of tobacco-related diseases.”

Selecky testified in favor of House Bill 1246, which would ban flavored tobacco and give local governments more flexibility in how they control the sale of tobacco.

“Kids use multiple types of tobacco,” Selecky said, including cigarettes, cigars, snuff, dip and hookah (a water pipe). “Ten percent of tenth-graders say they smoke hookah, and when it’s flavored, it’s more attractive. We absolutely support this bill to make sure we have a healthier Washington state.”

Right now, no city or county can be less strict — or more strict — than state laws on tobacco sales. House Bill 1246 would give back that local control to let cities and counties deal with local problems and innovate.

“This is about making sure kids don’t get hooked on tobacco,” said Cody, chair of the Health Care and Wellness Committee and a registered nurse herself. “If children aren’t supposed to be using tobacco, we shouldn’t allow products marketed and aimed directly at children.”

Dr. David Fleming, Public Health Director for King County, told lawmakers that flexibility and innovation is crucial, because tobacco use varies so much in different parts of the state.

“A statewide, one-size fits all approach won’t work,” Fleming said.

He also praised the legislation’s crackdown on flavored tobacco.

“Starting smoking is tough, because cigarettes taste awful and make you sick,” Fleming said. “Tobacco companies realize this, and that’s why they have flavored tobacco.”

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Rep. Eileen Cody

eileen.cody@leg.wa.gov

https://www.housedemocrats.wa.gov/roster/rep-eileen-cody/

360-786-7978