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September 16 - September 20, 2019

 

This week, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reported more than 500 cases of vaping-related illnesses and eight deaths. At least 42 of these cases are in Utah. Senator Romney and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) teamed up to introduce the Ending New Nicotine Dependencies (ENND) Act, legislation that would regulate e-cigarette standards and protect public health by prohibiting non-tobacco flavors and ensure that nicotine delivery systems are tamper-proof. In addition, Senator Romney warned against the threat an authoritarian China poses to freedom in the United States, and the world, during a Senate Foreign Relations hearing. The Senator also met with several groups of Utah employers to discuss the economic climate of the Beehive State.

 

With nearly a quarter of high school students vaping regularly, we must take decisive action to prevent a new generation from addiction and serious health risks. Along with Senator Merkley, Senator Romney introduced the ENND Act to ensure that non-tobacco flavored vaping products are removed from the market and prevent vaping devices from being adulterated with hazardous substances. The bill would also apply the existing tobacco excise tax to e-cigarettes and use it to launch a public awareness campaign.

Michael L. Good, MD, CEO of the University of Utah Health released the following statement in support of the ENND Act: “University of Utah Health (UUH) is a regional leader in the clinical understanding of e-cigarette and vaping related lung disease and injury. UUH supports efforts to decrease the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Vaping is especially dangerous to our youth due to risks of addiction and lung disease. UUH supports the legislative concepts of making tamperproof e-cigarette delivery systems and elimination of flavors in e-cigarettes.” You can learn more about the ENND Act here and watch the Senators explain why this legislation is so crucial below.

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Full story by Burgess Everett here.

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In an exchange with the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at a Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Senator Romney highlighted the threats China poses to freedom around the world and America’s responsibility to develop a strategy to confront them.

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Following Iran's attack on Saudi oil infrastructure, Senator Romney warned that direct engagement by the U.S. military in response would be a grave mistake. He noted that the U.S. has continued arms sales so Saudi Arabia can defend itself. The Senator continued that if Saudi Arabia responded against Iran's attacks, the U.S. should be ready to support in a non-kinetic role.

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Full story by Dennis Romboy here.

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Senator Romney met with several groups of Utahns in the office this week, including:

Lance Fritz, Chairman of Union Pacific Railroad.

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Utah representatives of the Direct Selling Association, which included Nu Skin Enterprises, Young Living, and 4 Life Research.

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Utah representatives from the National Automobile Dealers Association.

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Marc Casper, CEO of Thermo Fisher, that employs 800 Utahns in its Logan facility.

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Full story by Eric Tucker, Deb Riechmann, and Darlene Superville here.

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