the American Lung Association strongly supports the Transportation Climate Initiative and urges the state legislature to codify it into law.
Ruth Canovi
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Fewer greenhouse gas emissions mean better public health
The Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) recently announced an ambitious draft proposal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 12 states, including Connecticut, and the District of Columbia. While much discussion is centered on the environmental impacts, it’s vital that the public health benefits of reducing emissions also be addressed and emphasized during the public comment period.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Hartford raises the age for buying tobacco products. It’s a good start.
Congratulations to the Hartford City Council on passing an ordinance that raises the age of sale of tobacco products to 21. The ordinance, which was introduced by Councilman Larry Deutsch, makes Hartford the first city in the State of Connecticut to pass this policy. The ordinance, which includes the purchase of electronic cigarettes, was passed just weeks after an announcement from the State Department of Public Health that the number of high school students using electronic cigarettes doubled in just two years.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Raise the age limit to purchase tobacco and e-cigarettes
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is right to be concerned about the increased number of high school students vaping. Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in our nation, and e-cigarettes offer youths an opportunity to begin a harmful and lifelong addiction to tobacco, newly fueled by attractive devices and kid-targeted flavors. While we are glad to see that the FDA is being more transparent about the potential dangers of e-cigarettes, it’s clear that we must act quickly and decisively on the state and local levels to protect our children from these products.