“A custom loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain, dangerous to the lungs and in the black stinking fume there of, resembling the horrible Stygian smoke of the pit that is bottomless.”
King James of England regarding the use of tobacco, 1604.
The regulation and use of tobacco has a long history of opponents going as far back as the 17th century. King James of England outright prohibited its use throughout the English empire. Other countries at the time did the same, to include Japan, Russia, Naples, China Sweden, and Sicily to name a few.
Prohibition and Tobacco, American Statutory Regulation Begins.
In the United States legislation regarding tobacco originally comes from the prohibition movement of the 1800s. The movement viewed tobacco as dangerous to the youth, pregnant woman, and saw links to overall health problems.
By the 1890s most states had laws prohibiting the sale use and distribution of tobacco with focuses on youth restrictions of the substance.
World War 1 changes everything
Marketing of tobacco focused on the American patriot helped push tobacco sales and organizations like the American red cross and US government sending cigarettes to the US soldier overseas and someone questioning these actions was seen as unpatriotic. this shift in paradigm due to tobacco lobbyists helped the tobacco companies take hold of the American way of life. This lobbying continues to today and has had 100 years to refine itself.
Today’s Players and Regulations.
In 2009 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States began regulation of tobacco products with the Family smoking prevention and tobacco control act (FSPTCA). Before this time most regulations were from the state level and some congregational level regulation. Since (FSPTCA) inception the FDA has developed many regulations and advisory committees regarding the health impacts of tobacco. most recently the FDA has raised the minimum age for tobacco use to include E-cigarettes to 21.
Arizona’s Local players
Sent. Heather Carter R-Cave creek has been one of the major players in the prevention of the youth vaping problem. She has pushed for changing regulations in Arizona that protect vaping as somehow different from tobacco. Sadly last year’s SB 1009 that would make the sale of all vaping products fall under the same laws as tobacco products in the state and pushed for stronger youth prevention of vaping was shut down last year. All this while the tobacco industry pushes for legislation that would make it harder for lawmakers in Arizona to regulate the sale of vaping and E-cigarette products. This has not stopped the Senator as she is pushing again for stronger vaping legislation to protect teens from the epidemic.
If history has taught us anything is that without understanding the players and the rules they play by we can never change. Big tobacco is shifting to vaping and they are using the same game plane they have for 100 years. IF we as local Arizonians don’t push our legislation do something to stop them they will again be making the laws that have been killing us and our children again.
References
Alston, L., Dupré, R., & Nonnenmacher, T. (2002). Social reformers and regulation: The prohibition of cigarettes in the United States and Canada. Explorations in Economic History, 39(4), 425-445.
Giovanni, J.(1992, Augest),Come to Cancer Country; USA; Focus. The Times London
Sobel, R. (1978). They satisfy : The cigarette in American life (1st ed.). New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday.
Oxford, A. (2019, November 19). Some Arizona lawmakers want higher smoking age, tougher rules on vaping. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/arizona/2019/11/19/some-arizona-legislators-want-tougher-vaping-laws-higher-smoking-age/4237598002/
Warfield, F.(1930). Lost cause, A Portrait of Lucy Page Gaston, Outlook and Independent,244–247, 275–276
Vaping health hazards and need policy change 
The vaping epidemic has become an issue affecting adults and youth alike. It will require strong effort from legislators, organizations, and legislators to combat this problem. Organizations that have joined the fight include the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association. The American Heart Association (2020) supports strong Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations of tobacco products and vigorous federal funding for tobacco cessation and prevention efforts. The American Lung Association (2019) offers information to the public regarding the dangers of vaping. They also provide a guide for parents and other adults to help youth quit vaping. In addition, their website includes steps for constituents to take including joining the Lung Action Network, spreading the word about laws and policies fighting vaping, and making donations to support these initiatives (American Lung Association, 2019). The American Medical Association (2020) has called for a total ban on all e-cigarette and vaping products that do not meet FDA approval as cessation tools. Their website provides the number to the White House urging the public to call for a ban of flavored e-cigarettes and vaping products. Organizations like these can encourage the public to raise their voices and influence legislators to take action.
Resources
American Heart Association. (2020). The ugly truth about vaping. Retrieved from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/the-ugly-truth-about-vaping
American Lung Association. (2019). The vape talk. Retrieved from https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/vape-talk/
American Medical Association. (2020). E-cigarettes and vaping: A public health epidemic. Retrieved from https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/e-cigarettes-and-vaping-public-health-epidemic
LikeLike