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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

Governor Expected to Sign Bill Taxing E-Cigarette, Vape Products

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Friday, April 3, 2020   

FRANKFORT, Ky. - State lawmakers have passed a revenue bill that includes a new excise tax on e-cigarettes. The legislation now heads to the governor's desk.

E-cigarette pods, such as Juul, currently are the only tobacco products sold in the Commonwealth without a tax, and health experts say their relatively low cost is one reason why so many young Kentuckians are using them.

Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky Chief Executive Officer Ben Chandler says the excise tax couldn't have come at a more appropriate time, as research points to smoking as a risk factor for developing serious complications from COVID-19.

"They themselves become more vulnerable when they harm their own lungs," says Chandler. "And when your lungs are compromised, you can't fight off the disease, and you become much more susceptible to tremendous damage."

Gov. Andy Beshear has been vocal about his support for the idea of taxing e-cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young adults are two to three times more likely to respond to price hikes on tobacco products than adults.

Teens who want help quitting vaping can text or call the 'My Life, My Quit' hotline at 855-891-9989.

Chandler says the new coronavirus pandemic highlights how critical it is to prevent future generations from becoming hooked on nicotine.

"We're willing to shut down the economy of this country, in order to try to maintain the health of our people," says Chandler. "And so hopefully, when this is over, people will understand just how precious their health is."

According to state data, around 80,000 middle- and high-school students in the Commonwealth use e-cigarettes.

Disclosure: Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues, Smoking Prevention, Youth Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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