Plus momentum continues in support of HB 1203/SB 5183 with endorsement of The Columbian editorial board
OLYMPIA, WA— Today, Flavors Hook Kids Washington released high-quality polling data showing broad and overwhelming support across Washington state for legislation to end the sales of all flavored tobacco products. House Bill 1203 and Senate Bill 5183, sponsored by State Senator T’wina Nobles and State Rep. Kristine Reeves, are being considered now in the Washington State Legislature. See below for key data points.
HB 1203 and SB 5183 also received a major boost last week by earning the endorsement of the Editorial Board of The Columbian of Vancouver, the largest newspaper in Southwest Washington. The Editorial Board wrote, “…according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, commercial tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States… It would be wise for Washington to take action to make tobacco as unappealing as possible to youths.”
Polling Research:
The poll was conducted by FM3 Research from November 19 to 25, 2024. It was a statewide poll of likely voters with 910 respondents, and the margin of sampling error was +/- 4.0%.
“This research confirms strong public support for ending the sale of all flavored tobacco in Washington. The tobacco industry is constantly finding ways to lure kids into becoming lifelong customers and making their products taste like candy is nothing new. They added menthol decades ago to cigarettes to mask the harshness of tobacco. This relentless targeting of youth, Black and Brown communities, and other populations with flavored tobacco products has created a public health emergency unfolding right before our eyes,” said Andrew Estep, campaign manager of Flavors Hook Kids Washington. “Our coalition of support for this legislation grows every day as doctors, nurses, public health experts, educators, community groups and teenagers join together in saying ‘enough is enough.’ Sixty-three percent of Washingtonians, a clear and convincing majority, agree: We can protect kids by ending the sale of all flavored tobacco products and we should pass this bill during the 2025 legislative session.”
Key points from the polling research show that a strong majority of Washingtonians back key provisions of HB 1203 and SB 5183:
- 63% of Washingtonians support ending the sale of flavored tobacco products
- 86% of Washingtonians view tobacco companies unfavorably
- 80% of Washingtonians are concerned about young people using e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches
- After hearing arguments on both sides, including pro-tobacco arguments, 64% still support the legislation
- 57% of Washingtonians are more likely to back a legislator who supports ending the sale of flavored tobacco products
- In two battleground legislative districts, support is still very strong. 71% support the proposal in the 26th LD, and nearly 60% support it in the 10th LD
Momentum is steadily increasing for the legislature to end sales of flavored tobacco, including flavored e-cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and flavored nicotine pouches (like flavored Zyns), during the 2025 legislative session. In December, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal became the most prominent elected official so far to support the bills, saying “We know the lifelong effects of smoking, and we know that e-cigarettes are often more addictive and more dangerous than they may appear… I encourage my colleagues to join the fight.”
Other organizations backing the Flavors Hook Kids Washington (FHKW) campaign include American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Association of Washington School Principals, El Centro de La Raza, the Somali Health Board, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, and numerous NAACP branches. FHKW is powered by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.
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