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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) Today kids across the country are encouraged to stand up against tobacco companies on the 20th annual Kick Butts Day, a national day for youth to speak out against tobacco.

One strategy by Big Tobacco companies is promoting electronic cigarettes to youth. There is no federal regulation in place to prohibit minors from purchasing e-cigarettes, but 41 states have chosen to taken action by passing youth access laws that outlaw selling these devices to minors.

In North Dakota, there is no state law, but 23 cities have passed ordinances in an effort to keep these products out of the hands of minors.

Local tobacco prevention coordinator Vicki Voldal Rosenau says even though some cities have taken steps to prevent e-cigarette sales to minors, we need to make sure e-cigarettes are properly regulated at the state level to strengthen protections of our children from tobacco use.

Tobacco companies exploit the lack of restrictions and develop fruit- and candy-flavored e-cigarettes that directly appeal to youth. A recent nationwide study, “Monitoring the Future,” shows the need for immediate action. Young people are taking up e-cigarettes at an alarming rate and e-cigarette use rates have now surpassed the use of conventional cigarettes. In fact, eighth- and tenth-graders are using e-cigarettes at twice the rate of regular cigarettes.

Along with prohibiting sales to minors, research has shown that another effective way to cut tobacco use is to increase the price of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Lung Association support increasing North Dakota’s tobacco tax from $.44 per pack to $1.56 per pack, which would reduce youth smoking rates by 23 percent.

“Making tobacco less affordable is a proven way to prevent youth from using tobacco products,” said Jeanne Prom, executive director of the Center. “More expensive tobacco products and restrictions that prohibit minors from buying e-cigarettes will both go a long way to prevent youth from becoming addicted to tobacco.”

To learn more about tobacco prevention, contact CCHD at 845-8518, or go to www.breathend.com.