Durbin, Delauro Introduce Bill To Ban Child Labor On Tobacco Farms
This press release appears on Senator Durbin’s website here and appears below. Press Release May 13, 2025 Durbin, Delauro Introduce Bill To Ban Child Labor On Tobacco Farms WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today reintroduced legislation to protect child workers from the dangers of exposure to tobacco plants, including nicotine poisoning. The Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit children under the age of 18 from working in tobacco fields and coming into direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves by deeming this type of work as oppressive child labor. “Kids as young as 12 can be recruited to work on tobacco farms where they are exposed to toxic tobacco plants containing nicotine and may experience common symptoms of nicotine poisoning like nausea, vomiting, headaches, and dizziness. Putting a stop to this disgraceful labor practice is simple and common sense,” Durbin said. “With the Children Don’t Belong on Tobacco Farms Act, Congress can finally act to protect these kids before it’s too late.” “Big Tobacco has spent decades profiting off children – by targeting them as customers and exploiting their labor,” said DeLauro. “Right now, kids as young as 12 are working in tobacco fields, exposed to toxic levels of nicotine that can cause lasting harm. That is why I’m […]