September 16, 2020 - Issue: Vol. 166, No. 160 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 2nd Session

[Page S5618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              E-CIGARETTES

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, now, on another matter entirely, a 
few days ago, the country got something that has been in too short 
supply in 2020: some really great news--specifically, great news on the 
subject of public health.
  According to the 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey, administered by 
the FDA and the CDC, the number of American youth using e-cigarettes 
has dropped by 1.8 million since just last year--1.8 million in 1 year. 
That means, of course, that 1.8 million fewer young Americans are using 
e-cigarettes and vaping devices than 1 year ago.
  This victory for young Americans' health is no accident. The experts 
say a number of factors are at play, but one major contributing factor 
unfolded right here in the Senate a little under a year ago.
  Last December, the President signed the Tobacco-Free Youth Act into 
law. It was a bill I wrote and introduced to stem the tide of what was 
a rapidly growing health crisis among our Nation's young people. The 
bipartisan bill I wrote with my good friend Tim Kaine from Virginia and 
with the help of other colleagues, including Senator Todd Young, raised 
the minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarettes 
and vaping devices, from 18 to 21.
  This is based on clear-cut science. Public health experts tell us the 
harmful effects of nicotine are most potent on bodies and brains that 
are still developing. Nearly 9 out of 10 adult smokers started by the 
age of 18. So we knew it was time to take action.
  I am proud to have led the legislation that took another leap forward 
in getting nicotine addiction away from our Nation's youth, and by the 
looks of these data, it has not taken long for our legislation to begin 
to pay major dividends.
  Nearly 2 million fewer teens in Kentucky, Virginia, Indiana, and 
across the country are having their future put in jeopardy by these 
products. That is a win, and it has happened largely because the Senate 
stepped up.

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