In light of increased numbers of e-cigarettes being confiscated from school-aged children, the South Carolina Senate has passed a bipartisan proposal that aims to crack down on the number of illegal cigarettes being marketed toward children. 

The Senate passed the proposal on April 2 with a unanimous 45-for and zero-against the proposal. 

The bill aims to address the increase of illegal e-cigarettes coming in from China that often have flavors such as “bubble gum,” “cotton candy,” “sherbert,” “cupcake” and “lollipop” among others. 

The products can also look like makeup brushes or flash drives, which makes them easier to conceal in student’s backpacks.

Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto D-Orangeburg said that from the way the product is made, it’s meant to entice children.

“It’s clear from the colors and shapes of these, that these are being marketed to children,” Hutto told the SC Daily Gazette. 

The bill, if passed, would create a registry of vapes that are legal to sell in the state. Products not on said registry could be seized from retailers. Those who make or distribute unapproved vapes must remove them from all state stores or run the risk of paying a $1,000 per day fine for every day that they remain out. 

The lists of approved and unapproved vape and other e-cigarette products would be maintained by the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. 

According to the Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, 47% of high-school aged students in South Carolina reported that they vaped in 2020. 

Disposable vapes, like normal and e-cigarettes, contain nicotine but often contain higher amounts. These disposable vapes can also be laced with other substances like THC and fentanyl. 

Nicotine is harmful especially to children and young adults who are still developing, experts say. Some of the harmful effects of using nicotine underage is a reduced attention span, mood swings, impulse control, seizures and lung damage, according to the Federal Drug Administration. 

If the bill is signed into law, then the registry listing approved and prohibited products would have to be fully functional when the Attorney General first releases it or by Sept. 1, 2024.