Gov. Evers calls for legislative action to curb youth vaping

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers announced Sunday he wants state lawmakers to pass a package of bills aimed at curbing youth vaping and educating the public about vaping’s potential dangers.

The bills Evers, a Democrat, is requesting would ban vaping and vapor products on K-12 campuses and expand the definition of public health emergencies. Another bill would fund a public health campaign to address youth vaping in the state and a fourth proposal would expand the enforcement capacity of the Departments of Revenue and Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection to prevent vaping products from being sold to minors.

The governor’s office outlined his proposals in a press release Sunday.

“As a parent, grandparent, and lifelong educator, I am deeply concerned about the health and well-being of our kids,” Evers said in a statement. “Vaping is a serious public health epidemic and it is time to take action.”

The governor’s office said vaping products pose serious health risks to young users because the nicotine contained in e-cigarettes can harm parts of the brain that control attention and learning.