WHEREAS, The use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices among Philadelphian children and adolescents has reached alarming levels; and
WHEREAS, Scientific evidence has proved youth vaping poses significant risks to physical and mental health, including nicotine addiction, respiratory issues, and developmental harm; and
WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, data from a 2019 Department of Public Health indicates that 7% of high school students reported using electronic vapor products, surpassing the 2% who reported cigarette use, highlighting the shift in nicotine consumption among youth; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey found that about 6% of middle and high school students currently use e-cigarettes, including about 8% of high school students and around 4% of middle school students; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Department of Public Health and other public health stakeholders have previously enacted measures to curb the rise of vaping, including prohibiting flavored tobacco products and restricting the sale of e-cigarettes to minors; and
WHEREAS, Despite these measures, vaping remains prevalent among children, suggesting the need for a comprehensive review of enforcement efforts, educational outreach, and other preventative strategies; and
WHEREAS, Addressing youth vaping requires collaboration between the City Council, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, the School District of Philadelphia, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, and healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, The Committee on Public Health and Human Services seeks to hear from experts, community leaders, school officials, parents, and enforcement authorities to better understand the factors contributing to the prevalence of vaping among children and identify potential improvements in existing policies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby authorizes the Committee on Public Health and Human Services to hold hearings to investigate and assess the prevalence of vaping among children in Philadelphia, as well as the state of current enforcement efforts and their efficacy to curb youth access to vaping products.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Committee on Public Health and Human Services shall solicit testimony from public health officials, law enforcement agencies, school district representatives, youth advocacy organizations, parents, and other relevant stakeholders to develop actionable recommendations to strengthen prevention, education, and enforcement strategies.
FINALLY RESOLVED, That the findings and recommendations resulting from these hearings shall be presented to the City Council for further legislative action to protect the health and well-being of Philadelphia’s children, should it be required.
End