TUESDAY, July 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A 92 percent tax on electronic cigarettes took effect in Vermont on Monday as the state tries to reduce young people’s use of the devices.
That rate means that e-cigarettes will now cost about the same as combustible cigarettes, CBS News reported.
The e-cigarette tax increase bill was sponsored by State Rep. George Till, who said it will help keep the products out of the hands of young people. “We know the group that is most sensitive to price is teenager,” he told CBS News. “And we know that these companies are going out of their way to get kids addicted.”
Two other measures meant to reduce youth smoking also took effect in Vermont on Monday. One raised the legal age for buying and using cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and tobacco products to 21 from 18, and the other restricts retail and online sales of tobacco and related products, CBS News reported. Just last week, San Francisco became the first U.S. city to ban the sale, distribution, and manufacturing of e-cigarette products.
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