The Vaping Ordinance That Started in Lehi and Moved the Nation

After attending a Utah County Health Department meeting and hearing clear data about children ages 12-16 becoming addicted to nicotine through vaping, Mayor Johnson returned to his council with a proposal: raise the purchase age for vaping products to 21. The state had been attempting similar legislation for eight years without success. Mark and Cedar Hills Mayor Rees worked independently and passed their city ordinances. State legislators were furious. Mark and Mayor Rees went up to the Capitol, met with legislators and the bill sponsor, and spent a day working the halls. They secured 42 co-sponsors in the Utah House. After Mark testified before the Senate committee, Senators who had told him personally there was 'no way' they'd vote for it — voted for it. The bill passed both chambers, drew national attention, and federal legislators began advocating for the same change.