Some of Tennessee's largest healthcare advocacy organizations are urging Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to take swift action in response to the emerging public health issues associated with electronic nicotine delivery systems.

In a letter to Gov. Bill Lee, more than a dozen associations petitioned the governor to implement ". . . an emergency temporary measure to restrict Tennessee youth from obtaining vaping products," and encourage the Tennessee General Assembly to ". . . take more permanent legislative action when it convenes in 2020." The letter was initiated and coordinated by the Tennessee Medical Association.

The groups cite an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses as cause for immediate governmental intervention, pointing to three dozen cases in Tennessee and more than 1,000 cases nationwide. Vaping use among teenagers continues to climb. Public health advocates are most concerned about flavored products that are intentionally packaged to mimic candy, juices or other kid-friendly products and marketed directly to adolescents.