I support the ordinance submitted to the Brunswick Town Council seeking to protect youth from flavored tobacco products by prohibiting their sale in Brunswick. Portland and Bangor voted to implement similar ordinances, both effective June 1, and a statewide ban on the sale of flavored tobacco products is being considered by the Maine Legislature.

The best way to combat teen smoking is to stop the addiction before it begins. It is estimated that four out of five kids who use tobacco started with a flavored tobacco product. Dessert-like flavors and highly addictive ingredients make products like electronic cigarettes, menthol cigarettes and mini cigars virtually irresistible to many kids.

I started smoking as a teenager and continued to do so off and on for over 20 years. Breaking that addiction took countless attempts and failures; it was the hardest thing I have ever done. I regularly discuss these struggles with my teenage daughter, in hopes that she can learn from my mistakes. But kids are increasingly using vapes and flavored tobacco products, in part because they are discreet. Another way to help protect Maine kids is to ban the sale of these products.

The evidence is clear that flavored tobacco products are highly addictive and pose a severe health risk, especially for developing lungs. Ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in all Maine towns is a critical tool to help combat a new generation of addiction. Contact your town or city officials, state legislators and Gov. Mills and tell them flavored tobacco has to go.

Halliday Moncure
Brunswick

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