Press Releases

Washington, DC—October 28, 2019….Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today announced that the Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act (H.R. 3942), legislation he is a cosponsor of, passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The bipartisan bill implements new safeguards – including age verification requirements – to prevent the online sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and protect the health of children.

Congressman Womack said, “Electronic cigarette use among minors has risen to alarming rates, and internet marketplaces provide easy access to these harmful products. A child can’t walk into a store and purchase tobacco products, and the same rules should apply while shopping online. This legislation closes an internet loophole to help ensure that our youth can’t obtain e-cigarettes and nicotine products.”

The Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act would direct e-cigarette online retailers to:

• Verify the age of customers for all purchases;
• Require an adult with ID to be present for delivery;
• Label shipping packages to show that they contain tobacco products; and
• Comply with state and local tobacco tax requirements.

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the number of high school students who reported e-cigarette usage increased nearly 80% between 2017 and 2018. E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly used by middle and high school students. In fact, CDC Director Robert Redfield highlighted this rising epidemic and its health impacts with Congressman Womack and Arkansas medical experts during a recent health tour to the Third District. 

The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.

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