OLYMPIA—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal announced on Monday his support of state legislation that would end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Washington. Reykdal is the most prominent elected official thus far to announce support for the effort that will be introduced during the 2025 legislative session, which begins in January.
“The data are clear: Nine times out of ten, young people who use e-cigarettes are choosing flavored tobacco products,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal. “We know the lifelong effects of smoking, and we know that e-cigarettes are often more addictive and more dangerous than they may appear. I strongly support the emerging legislation in the House and Senate that will end the sale of flavored tobacco products in Washington, and I encourage my colleagues to join the fight.”
The legislation, led by State Senator T’wina Nobles (28th LD) and State Rep. Kristine Reeves (30th LD), was unveiled at an event in Federal Way in early September. Community leaders, advocates, public health experts, educators, policy staff, parents and students joined Reeves in encouraging the legislature to pass a law in 2025 that will end the sale of all flavored tobacco products in Washington state. The companion bills will receive numbers later this month.
Nearly 90% of all youth who use e-cigarettes report using flavored products. The 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS) shows a large percentage of youth e-cigarette users, including 42% of high school users and 27% of middle school users, reported frequent or daily use, which is a strong sign of addiction. Nicotine levels in e-cigarettes have skyrocketed in recent years, and the latest products can contain as much nicotine as 20 packs of cigarettes or more, putting kids at risk of rapid and severe addiction.
The NYTS also included data on youth use of nicotine pouch products like Zyn, which have seen a rapid increase in sales. While youth use of these products remains relatively low, the total number of youths using nicotine pouches has increased from 200,000 in 2021 to 480,000 in 2024. Nicotine pouches have the same characteristics that made e-cigarettes so appealing to young people, including kid-friendly flavors, heavy promotion on social media and are easily undetectable by parents and school staff.
“Superintendent Reykdal understands the importance of protecting our children and students from negative influences of the tobacco industry’s incessant targeting of kids with flavors through nonstop social media and advertising. And as a former lawmaker, he knows how critical his voice is as the leader of Washington’s education system. We look forward to working with his team, educators, parents and students to end the sale of all flavored tobacco products. No one wants this bill to pass more than Washington’s students, families and educators,” said Drew Estep, campaign manager of Flavors Hook Kids Washington.
Other organizations backing the Flavors Hook Kids Washington (FHKW) campaign include the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Association of Washington School Principals, El Centro de La Raza, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and numerous NAACP branches. FHKW is powered by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
Source: Flavors Hook Kids Washington
Author: Mario Lotmore
