Our Legislature can take a strong stand by banning flavored nicotine products. In its recent policy statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly supports eliminating all flavors, including menthol.

These products make it easier to start vaping or smoking. The soothing effect of menthol can hide irritation in the lining of the nose, mouth and airways. The thousands of candy-like flavors make it more enticing to try.

People who try tobacco and nicotine before age 21 are much more likely to become addicted. Once addicted, it is extremely difficult to quit. Research shows that just experimenting with e-cigarettes substantially increases the risk for smoking traditional cigarettes.

Vape shops and e-cigarette companies may frame this as a free choice argument, but this is the same deception that was used by big tobacco. Remember, they paid researchers to find ways to get more people addicted to nicotine.

The longer we wait to enact the ban on flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco, the more young people become hooked on nicotine — for life.

Bryan Mih, M.D.

Manoa

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