Students and health groups urge ban on vaping products disguised as school supplies and toys
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Summary
House Bill 15 38 would prohibit marketing and sale of vaping products designed to look like highlighters, toys, clothing or other youth‑appealing items; youth witnesses, public‑health groups and the Liquor Commission generally supported the enforcement concept but retailers warned language may be vague.
Representative Alice Wade presented HB 15 38 following outreach from youth participants in a Dover youth‑led prevention program. The bill would ban sale, distribution and promotion of vaping products that are designed or marketed to be especially attractive to children or that are disguised as school supplies, toys, clothing or novelty items.
Youth witnesses described confiscated devices shaped as highlighters, hoodies with built‑in vapes and disposable devices with built‑in games. They said such products normalize vaping in schools and make detection and enforcement more difficult. Public‑health organizations (New Futures, Dover Coalition for Youth) supported the proposal and recommended referencing the FDA's list of authorized e‑cigarette products to narrow permitted inventory.
The Liquor Commission recommended placing the proposal under tobacco statute RSA 126 for clearer enforcement and noted inspection authority could be used to remove illegal products from retail shelves. Retailers and trade association witnesses said the bill’s current language is vague and could capture legitimate products; they recommended a clear, objective standard or a required preapproval process for any new product brought to market. Committee members asked about online sales and whether existing age‑verification systems are sufficient.
