E-cigarette tax would help reduce risk for Alaska consumers — especially teenagers

A collection of electronic cigarette products confiscated at various schools is seen in the state Capitol in Juneau. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)

In elementary school I stumbled upon the harsh realities of tobacco. It wasn’t just a textbook lesson for me — it hit home, quite literally. My dad was a chain smoker and watching his struggle with addiction ignited a determination in me, amplified by my little brother’s support. We became my father’s cheerleaders on the challenging path to quitting. He did and has been tobacco-free for five years.

In middle school, a new adversary emerged—the pervasive rise of e-cigarette use among my peers. Witnessing friends succumb to the vape trend sparked a deep concern for their health, so I joined Youth Encouraging Alaskans’ Health (YEAH) as a teen ambassador during my first year of high school.

I am now a senior and many of my peers remain unaware of the full extent of what they’re getting themselves into when they take that first pull, oblivious to the sheer strength of nicotine and its addictive grip no matter how sweet the taste. They start out innocently enough, drawn in by the promise of stress relief or the allure of trendy flavors, only to become ensnared in a cycle of dependency they never anticipated.

Those who do recognize the need to break free face a recovery fraught with obstacles, hesitant to seek help or confide in others for fear of repercussions. Being underage, they’re often unable to access cessation products like nicotine gum or patches without attracting unwanted attention or potential disciplinary action.

As a result, they feel trapped in a seemingly endless cycle of addiction and shame, grappling with the desire to quit but lacking the resources and support to do so. It’s a harrowing reality that underscores the urgent need for comprehensive education and accessible resources to empower youth to make informed choices about their health.

The idea that increased prices won’t affect consumer spending is laughable, especially when it comes to a population like teenagers.

This is a big reason behind my advocacy with YEAH and why I traveled to Juneau in February with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to advocate for the first state tobacco tax increase in 20 years and the first ever on e-cigarettes, a product explicitly designed to turn Alaska’s kids into the next generation of addicts, featuring the same flavors you see at an elementary-school birthday party: cotton candy, bubble gum, even birthday cake.

Some who oppose this tax suggest it won’t curtail use. Of course, the tobacco industry and those who work on their behalf are probably not honest brokers of what might keep their deadly and addictive products out of kids’ hands, but the idea that increased prices won’t affect consumer spending is laughable, especially when it comes to a population like teenagers. 

I’ve had the opportunity to advocate across Alaska and the United States, but the real challenge remains the daily interactions with friends who remain oblivious to the addictive nature of these substances. Many are still unaware of the calculated tactics — like flavors — employed by corporate tobacco to lure them into a lifelong struggle.

Being on the front lines of advocacy has allowed me to witness the transformative power of personal narratives. Whether in the state capital or within school walls, my journey with YEAH emphasizes the importance of individual voices in shaping a healthier, more informed future for Alaska. As I continue this journey, I’m driven by the belief that every shared story, every classroom conversation, and every video has the potential to make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

But my work becomes a lot easier when the products themselves are harder to get a hold of. There are only so many school assemblies me and my friends can speak at and I know we are making a difference, but at some point lawmakers need to act. Big Tobacco wants Alaska’s lawmakers to ignore basic economic facts we all know — when things cost more, you buy them less.  

It’s a simple math equation, a right answer Alaska lawmakers should arrive at quite quickly if they have a real interest in the health of their kids and grandchildren. The best time to act was years ago. The next best time is right now.

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