Committee hears testimony on S.198 to tighten retail controls and curb youth vaping

The Vermont House Committee on Commerce & Economic Development on April 9 heard hours of testimony on S.198, a bill that seeks tighter retail regulation of flavored and high‑nicotine vaping products, steps to curb online sales to minors and removal of criminal penalties for youth possession and use.

Supporters told lawmakers the bill addresses a rapidly changing market of novelty devices, nicotine pouches and imported disposable vapes that they say are heavily marketed to young people and can contain very high nicotine levels. Jill of the Coalition for Tobacco‑Free Vermont, speaking to the committee, said public‑health work has been reactive: "We've been playing in the public health arena. We've been playing a game of whack a mole," and warned that tobacco‑related health care costs in Vermont are substantial.

Why it matters: witnesses and data presented to the committee emphasized youth exposure and easy retail access. Andrea Belanti, a professor and director of the Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies,…