[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Tobacco-Free Use Act

  Now, on another matter, Mr. President, I would like to end on 
something the walls of this Chamber don't hear enough of--some good 
news. According to an annual survey conducted by the CDC and the FDA, 
the number of young people in America smoking e-cigarettes dropped to 
its lowest level in the last decade. Let me say that again. E-cigarette 
use among America's youth is now roughly one-third of the alltime high 
it hit just 5 years ago.
  There are a lot of factors at play in this downward trend, but one 
powerful tailwind originated right here in the Senate.
  In 2019, youth e-cigarette use was at its peak. That is the year that 
I wrote and introduced the Tobacco-Free Use Act with my good friend 
Senator Kaine from Virginia. Our bipartisan bill raised the minimum age 
to purchase tobacco products, including e-cigarette devices, from 18 to 
21.
  We didn't try to reinvent the wheel. We knew that nearly all 
smokers--roughly 95 percent of them--started by the age of 21. By 
raising the age limit, less tobacco winds up in high schools, which 
means less opportunity for children to get their hands on addictive 
vaping devices.
  This issue hits close to home. Kentucky has the highest cancer rate 
in the country. In years past, we have even topped the list for higher 
proportion of cigarette-related cancer deaths.
  Now as the senior Senator from Kentucky, my decision to spearhead 
this litigation surprised some people. My home State has a close 
connection to tobacco. But as I pointed out in the past, Kentucky 
farmers don't want their children forming nicotine addictions any more 
than any other parent.
  If we have learned anything in the fight against addiction is that 
families are right to be worried. At this critical stage of 
development, nicotine products can be the first step in a life maligned 
by serious health problems.
  So while more work remains, I am proud that the Senate stepped up to 
address this public health crisis, and I am grateful to see this 
legislation is actually making a difference.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so 
ordered.