It was a not-so-happy Mother’s Day. The future health of our children and grandchildren suffered when lawmakers shelved a ban on candy-flavored e-cigarettes and gutted the electronic cigarette bill of powerful protections.

The tobacco industry controls virtually 100% of e-cigarette production and marketing. Its talk of helping adults stop smoking or reducing harm is a ploy. Its real goal is to addict our children, when their brains are rapidly developing, to a lifetime of using its products. Already, nearly 30% of middle school and more than 40% of high school students in Hawaii have used e-cigarettes.

As a mom, physician and teacher, I challenge our lawmakers to do the right thing. In the meantime, the public should be wary of the intent and impact of e-cigarette advertising. Hold your breath near an e-cigarette cloud. Leave your shoes outside. Second- and third-hand nicotine is spreading. Auwe!

Elizabeth Tam

Waialae-Kahala

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