A bill banning minors from using e-cigarettes in Kentucky has officially became law.
Gov. Beshear signed the bill, which he dubbed “common sense legislation,” in a brief ceremony at the Capitol Monday. State Health and Human Services Cabinet secretary Audrey Tayes Haynes said the law applies to all e-cigarettes, regardless of whether they contain the key addictive ingredient found in regular cigarettes.
"You cannot tell whether they contain nicotine or not. Enforcement, without a piece that bans all e-cigarettes for those under 18, would frankly be a nightmare. The law really does address this," Haynes said.
The number of youth from grades 6 through 12 who report trying e-cigarettes doubled between 2011 and 2012.
Officials hope the ban will stop more from picking up the habit and moving on to conventional cigarettes.
