Washington state lawmakers have introduced a new bill, HB 1203, that seeks to ban the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products, including menthol cigarettes and flavored vape cartridges. The legislation, filed on Wednesday, also targets newer products that combine the consumption of tobacco or nicotine with gaming elements.
The bill's sponsors cite the tobacco industry's targeted marketing campaigns aimed at young people and people of color as a primary justification for the proposed ban. State Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way), a sponsor of the bill, shared a personal story about her mother, who began smoking menthol cigarettes at the age of nine and later died of lung cancer at 60 years old.
Menthol Cigarettes: A Commonly Used Product with a Targeted History
While previous attempts by Washington lawmakers have focused on banning flavored vape products, HB 1203 also targets menthol cigarettes, a widely used tobacco product with a long and controversial history in the United States. According to a 2020 national survey, over 43% of self-reported cigarette smokers consumed menthols.
The tobacco industry has a well-documented history of targeting Black customers with marketing campaigns for menthol cigarettes. National data shows that menthols are the most commonly smoked type of cigarette among people of color.
Previous Attempts to Ban Flavored Vape Products
Washington state officials have made several attempts to ban or limit the accessibility of flavored vape products in recent years. In October 2019, Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency temporary ban on these products. During the following legislative session, a bill was introduced to make the ban permanent, but it failed to pass the House.
HB 1203 has a companion bill, SB 5183, which has been pre-filed for introduction in the state Senate, sponsored by Sen. T'wina Nobles (D-Tacoma).
As the debate over the proposed ban on menthol cigarettes and flavored vape products continues, lawmakers will need to weigh the potential public health benefits against the concerns raised by the tobacco and vaping industries. The outcome of this legislative battle could have significant implications for the future of tobacco and nicotine use in Washington state.
