Phoenix Business Journal Op-Ed: Why statewide standards are needed for Arizona vaping laws

By Amanda Wheeler

Promoting better health outcomes for all Americans right now is something that should unite public health officials, activists and policymakers on both sides of the aisle. Even as we turn the corner on the pandemic, the heightened attention we are giving to our health and wellness is a good thing, and it is critical that the Arizona Legislature does its part. 

We can all agree that it is good public health policy to reduce the number of people who smoke cigarettes and stop young people before they ever start, and that is why we must create a consistent regulatory structure that would accomplish both of these goals and provide a statewide standard for businesses to follow. A patchwork of regulations city by city creates confusion for small business owners who run stores only a few miles apart but in different neighborhoods. Unfortunately, an effort to create consistency across the state has been held by special interests who would rather create a regulatory nightmare for small businesses.  

As the owner of several vape shops in Arizona, I have had to manage regulatory pressures and taxes at a time where the pandemic has battered small businesses. Consistent policies at the state level will allow me to provide training for my employees across all my stores and relieve some of the regulatory pressure on my business. It will also set clear punishments for retailers who break the law by illegally selling tobacco and vaping products to people under age 21.

Local control necessary

Opponents of a consistent, statewide approach argue that local control is necessary to prevent youth tobacco use and have supported banning flavored vaping products and raising taxes in Phoenix and other cities. The only problem is these bans and tax hikes simply don’t work, and in fact do more to undermine public health by driving up youth smoking rates, eliminating an important harm reduction tool for adult smokers who want to quit, and fueling the illicit market.

A recent study published by the American Medical Association found that when San Francisco banned flavored vaping products young people were twice as likely to smoke cigarettes compared to cities without a flavor ban. As a mother of two middle-school-aged daughters, I share the concerns regarding risky youth behaviors, but banning these products takes us backwards. What does work is a strong public health and education campaign, which has reduced youth vaping around the country by nearly 60%, according to the CDC’s Youth Tobacco Survey.