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"Solomon may have experienced the worst, but the risks for all the kids is so huge, and not having laws that protect our kids, it's not right," Zorn said.
Zorn stressed that partial legislation fails to solve the broader youth vaping epidemic.
"There are all sorts of tobacco and nicotine-related products that are putting our children's health at risk," she said.
Zorn further emphasized the need for complete policy coverage across all retail channels.
"Going and fixing a half of a piece of the puzzle when you have a 100-piece puzzle isn't going to get the puzzle completed," she said.
Medical professionals also raised concerns regarding the physiological and mental health impacts of adolescent vaping.
Dr. Adam Goldstein, director of Tobacco Intervention Programs at UNC Health, noted that nicotine usage severely complicates existing youth mental health conditions.
"Virtually almost every single mental health condition that an adolescent may have can be worsened by the product, and it may make it more difficult to actually get over," Goldstein said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescent nicotine exposure impairs brain development.
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American Lung Association data indicates tobacco causes roughly 14,200 annual deaths in North Carolina.
