Saud Anwar

Senator Anwar Addresses Letter to Governor Lamont Requesting Executive Action, Four-Month Moratorium on Vaping Sales

Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) addressed a letter to Governor Ned Lamont in light of an increase in the number of deaths nationwide related to vaping and vaping products. In the letter, Sen. Anwar requested for the Governor to take executive action to ban the sales of vapes and vaping products for the next four months in light of the immediate public health risk.

“We already knew that vaping posed a health risk to individuals despite its advertising,” Sen. Anwar said. “The news reports that continue to come out almost daily only further prove that point. There are lives on the line. I implore Governor Lamont to consider the prospect of taking action to request a moratorium on vaping sales until we can determine what is causing the illnesses and deaths occurring around the country.”

According to varying reports, at least 16 individuals have died from vaping-related illnesses across the country, with deaths occurring in at least ten. Hundreds of confirmed and probable cases of lung injury have been previously reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in at least 38 states. The CDC additionally reported that it is prioritizing stopping teen use of e-cigarettes.

The full text of the letter is included below:

Dear Governor Lamont,

I am writing this letter to formally ask you through executive action to stop the sale of vaping products for four months. The numbers of deaths across the country are increasing and this has already become a public health crisis.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are currently investigating a multi-state outbreak of lung disease that has been associated with the use of e-cigarettes or vaping products (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges). To date, the CDC has confirmed 530 cases of lung injury across 38 states.

Vaping products are marketed and sold in nearly 8,000 flavors and come in many different sizes, types and colors. Some resemble pens, small electronic devices such as USB sticks and other everyday items. The products are often compact and allow for discreet carrying and use – at home, in school hallways and bathrooms and even in classrooms. Because of this, these potentially dangerous products have become extremely appealing to our youth and have become the most commonly used tobacco products among middle and high school students.

I want to thank you for your leadership and your action to protect the citizens of our beautiful state.

Respectfully,

M. Saud Anwar, M.D.