White Paper on e-cigarettes
*Utah PTA has a focus on education however, we are also about children's issues that affect the health, safety and welfare of all children.
* The Utah PTA is keeping an eye on the fate of House Bill 245, which could amend the Indoor Clean Air Act to prohibit the use of hookah pipes and e-cigarettes in public places. We have not taken an official position on this bill at the present time however, we are educating ourselves about the issue and possible effects on children.
*The legislation regarding e-cigarettes is on hold. Utah PTA is following all discussion and reviewing current health information about these products.
*E-cigarettes are on our priority list this year because parents have indicated that they have concerns and unanswered questions and they want to make sure that children will be protected in the end.
*One the biggest concern Utah PTA has addressed and will continue to address is the fact that e-cigarettes do not have an off switch, even with an on and off switch, safety switches ect., Utah PTA would still have a similar concern due to how quickly children can learn to use switches. If an e-cigarette is accidently left on a restaurant table or falls out of a purse or pocket in the mall, ect. a child may have access to the e-cigarette and the consequences for the child could be devastating.
*Because there are still so many unanswered questions about e-cigarettes we feel that it is important that we continue to follow this issue closely. From past experience, we can assume that there are probably some hidden consequences that we're not aware of yet and we will be seeking as complete of information as possible.
* As we gain more definitive and conclusive information and evidence about the effects and possible ramifications of e-cigarettes we will educate our parents.
