LANSING, Mich. — Only Michigan and Pennsylvania are the only two states in the nation that have not banned the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
Federal law already restricts e-cigarette sales to minors but local police cannot enforce federal laws, so most states have passed their own.
State Representative Thomas Albert, R-District 86 has introduced a bill that would do more than just ban e-cigarette sales to those under 18.
House Bill 4164 would also ban minors from possessing e-cigarettes.
Violators of the ban would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $100 for a first offense, $500 for second offense or $2,500 for a third offense.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports e-cigarette use among high schoolers increased from 220,000 students in 2011 to 3.05 million students in 2018.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it can harm brain development and dental health in people.
A similar bill to Albert's is under consideration in the Senate.
JUUL Labs, makers of one of the most popular vaping device among teens, supports laws banning minor sales and possession, according to JUUL spokesperson Ted Kwong.
“JUUL Labs fully supports this legislation and applauds Michigan lawmakers for taking these important steps. We share a common goal with policymakers, regulators, parents, school officials, and community stakeholders – preventing youth from initiating on nicotine," the company said in a statement.
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