Florida Lawmakers Seek to Tackle Vaping Among Teenagers

The pressure may be mounting for Florida lawmakers to tackle the issue of vaping among teenagers. One Florida Senate member will be championing efforts to deal with the soaring use of electronic cigarettes when the 2020 legislative session kicks on the 14^th of next month even as he receives pushback from state leaders. Among his goals he is considering, the minimum legal age for vaping would be raised to 21 and retailers would face stricter penalties for selling vaping products or e-cigarettes to minors.

The emphasis comes in the midst of a national outcry about what some health officials find a youth epidemic as the vaping phenomenon affects middle and high schools as well as college campuses. It also comes amid injuries and deaths in Florida and across the country due to vaping-related lung injuries.

Currently, under Florida law, a person must be at least eighteen years or older to legally use an e-cigarette or a vaping product, just like if they were to use tobacco products.

In addition to raising the legal vaping age, there are also plans to regulate vaping black market devices which have contributed to lung injuries including death. According to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most of the lung injuries occurred at home in people who used counterfeit vape products containing THC, the ingredient in marijuana known for causing euphoric feelings.

This update is published by The Law Offices of Mark Eiglarsh, a F ort Lauderdale criminal defense lawyer. Areas of practice include criminal defense, white collar crimes, drug crimes, fraud, DUI, sex crimes, domestic violence, and more. With over two decades of experience, Mark is committed to obtaining the best possible outcome for his valued clients under difficult circumstances. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please call 954-500-0003 in Broward or 305-674-0003 in Miami.

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