Pa. House committee advances ban on vaping in schools

Everybody knows that smoking cigarettes isn’t allowed in school. But is vaping?

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced a bill Tuesday to close a loophole that lets students use electronic nicotine delivery systems like vapes on school property. The legislation would also make it a crime under state law to sell these products to anyone under the age of 18.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s having many, many conversations with school officials about children using these products in school,” ranking Democrat Tim Briggs, of Montgomery County, said.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, passed the House unanimously last session but wasn’t considered in the Senate.

The U.S. surgeon general declared youth vaping an “epidemic” last year.