- CASAA: Alaska Call to Action: Two bills have been introduced that threaten to ban vaping wherever smoking is banned!
Alaska Senator Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) has again introduced a bill (SB 1) that would ban vaping by including it within Alaskas definition of smoking. This provision is tucked inside a larger bill that would significantly expand Alaskas existing statewide smoking restrictions. If this bill passes, bars, restaurants and workplaces throughout Alaska will no longer be able to decide for themselves whether to allow or disallow vaping.
Last year, a bill nearly identical to SB 1 was introduced and made its way through two Senate committees before stalling in the Senate Finance Committee. Unlike last years bill, SB 1 includes an exemption for vape shops. However, SB 1 still deceitfully redefines smoking to include the use of a smoke-free product and needlessly makes vaping in indoor and outdoor environments a fineable offense.
** SB 1 has been assigned to the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. At this time, no hearing has been scheduled. We will update this Call to Action as we learn more.
In the Alaska House, Representative Bob Herron (D-Bethel) has introduced a bill (HB 40) to add using an e-cigarette to Alaskas definition of smoking. In contrast to SB 1, HB 40 would not expand Alaskas existing smoking ban. It is not only wrong to define the use of a smoke-free product as smoking, but any future changes to Alaskas smoking ban would automatically also include vaping.
Please take action now to oppose both of these bills:
Alaska Senator Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna) has again introduced a bill (SB 1) that would ban vaping by including it within Alaskas definition of smoking. This provision is tucked inside a larger bill that would significantly expand Alaskas existing statewide smoking restrictions. If this bill passes, bars, restaurants and workplaces throughout Alaska will no longer be able to decide for themselves whether to allow or disallow vaping.
Last year, a bill nearly identical to SB 1 was introduced and made its way through two Senate committees before stalling in the Senate Finance Committee. Unlike last years bill, SB 1 includes an exemption for vape shops. However, SB 1 still deceitfully redefines smoking to include the use of a smoke-free product and needlessly makes vaping in indoor and outdoor environments a fineable offense.
** SB 1 has been assigned to the Senate Health and Social Services Committee. At this time, no hearing has been scheduled. We will update this Call to Action as we learn more.
In the Alaska House, Representative Bob Herron (D-Bethel) has introduced a bill (HB 40) to add using an e-cigarette to Alaskas definition of smoking. In contrast to SB 1, HB 40 would not expand Alaskas existing smoking ban. It is not only wrong to define the use of a smoke-free product as smoking, but any future changes to Alaskas smoking ban would automatically also include vaping.
Please take action now to oppose both of these bills:
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