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Miami-Beach-“Says-No”-to-the-Sale-of-E-Cigarettes City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, Tel: 305.673.7575 PRESS RELEASE Tonya Daniels, E-mail: tonyadaniels@miamibeachfl.gov Melissa Berthier, E-mail: melissaberthier@miamibeachfl.gov FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 17, 2018 Miami Beach “Says No” to the Sale of E-Cigarettes & Liquid Nicotine to Minors — City of Miami Beach adopts legislation to protect our youth from this major public health threat — Miami Beach, FL – The use of electronic cigarettes, known as E-Cigarettes, has skyrocketed to alarming popularity among teens in middle and high schools across the nation. Clever marketing schemes and popular flavors have contributed to a nationwide vaping craze among our youth. Nicotine vaporizers, such as JUUL e-cigarettes, resemble a flash drive and are rechargeable on USB ports. The JUUL website states that the nicotine content in each 5% JUULpod, which contains approximately 0.7 mL with 5% nicotine, provides almost 200 puffs — the estimated nicotine yield of a pack of cigarettes. The City of Miami Beach will impose enhanced penalties for establishments that sell nicotine vaporizers and liquid nicotine to minors. Additionally, they will prohibit the possession of these items by minors and regulate the retailers who are in possession of nicotine vaporizers or liquid nicotine for the purposes of selling the products to consumers, individuals, or the public. Any establishment that sells nicotine vaporizers must post signage stating that the sale of nicotine products or nicotine dispensing devices to persons under the age of 18 is against Florida law. There will also be requirements regarding mail orders and internet sales. “These companies are marketing to children with the hopes of creating lifelong nicotine addictions; this measure seeks to give the ability for police to enforce the law and help keep e - cigarettes out of the hands of teenagers,” said Mayor Dan Gelber. A 2016 U.S. Surgeon General report concluded that the use of nicotine in any form by youth is unsafe, and that nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing adolescent brain. “Four years ago, I sponsored the original ordinance that directly dealt with this subject matter,” added Commissioner Micky Steinberg. “I’m glad my colleagues agree that we must continue to support legislation which protects our children from these harmful products.” The Miami Beach Mayor and City Commission also urge Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties to adopt similar legislation in the interest of public health, safety, and welfare of our youth. ### To request this material in alternate format, sign language interpreter (five-day notice required), information on access for persons with disabilities, and/or any accommodation to review any document or participate in any city-sponsored proceedings, call 305.604.2489 and select 1 for English or 2 for Spanish, then option 6; TTY users may call via 711 (Florida Relay Service).