The rapidly growing use of nicotine products among our nation’s youth is one of the most critical public health issues currently facing our country.

In 2024, about 1.63 million middle and high schoolers in the United States reported using e-cigarettes. Flavored tobacco plays a key role in convincing young people to try these products.

Our country must help young people avoid becoming hooked on these addictive products. Kaiser Permanente supports removing all flavored tobacco products from the market, including flavored e-cigarettes.

To ensure our country’s young people have the best possible chance of growing up free from nicotine addiction we support:

• Banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products including menthol in cigarettes and e-cigarettes
• Promoting efforts by the Food and Drug Administration to reduce levels of nicotine in combustible products to minimal or non-addictive levels
• Raising the minimum legal age for purchasing nicotine products to 21

In support of our policy priorities, Kaiser Permanente has:

• Advocated for the removal of flavored tobacco products from the market nationwide
• Backed state-level initiatives to restrict flavored tobacco products in Oregon, Hawaii, California, Washington, and Colorado
• Promoted California’s Yes to Protect Kids from Candy-Flavored Tobacco campaign and endorsed the state’s ban on menthol flavored tobacco products

Additionally, we have worked to raise the minimum age for purchasing nicotine products to 21, including state and local policies to complement local enforcement of the Federal Tobacco 21 law.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024
² Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024
³ CDC Foundation, 2024