CASAA: Washington Call to Action: Multiple bills threaten access to and variety of vapor products
(Update - 02/23/15)
Washington Vapers may be receiving emails from their state lawmakers informing them that HB 1645 & SB 5573 are dead. This is not entirely accurate. In Washington, if a bill is deemed necessary to implement the budget (NTIB), it can be brought back to life -- even in the final days of budget negotiations. In other words, bills that would enact vapor taxes, flavor bans, sampling bans, etc. are all still ALIVE because if such provisions in Governor Inslees budget are adopted, they will need laws to support them.
To compound the threats in Washington, bills are allowed to be introduced up until the legislative session adjourns. This means that we could still see new vapor-related bills introduced up until late-April / early-May.
As the Washington Legislature considers how it will fund the states 2016 budget, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is continuing his push for excessive taxes and harmful bans. Gov. Inslee is asking that the Legislatures budget do the following:
Please take action NOW to protect vaping from these harmful proposals. With an issue as important as this, we are asking vapers not to only send an email, but make phone calls to your State Senator and two State Representatives, asking that they oppose the Governors 95% tax on vapor products and related proposals. Briefly tell your story about how vapor products have impacted your life or the life of a loved one. Remember: Always be respectful and make sure you leave your address so the legislators know you are calling from their district.
(Update - 02/23/15)
Washington Vapers may be receiving emails from their state lawmakers informing them that HB 1645 & SB 5573 are dead. This is not entirely accurate. In Washington, if a bill is deemed necessary to implement the budget (NTIB), it can be brought back to life -- even in the final days of budget negotiations. In other words, bills that would enact vapor taxes, flavor bans, sampling bans, etc. are all still ALIVE because if such provisions in Governor Inslees budget are adopted, they will need laws to support them.
To compound the threats in Washington, bills are allowed to be introduced up until the legislative session adjourns. This means that we could still see new vapor-related bills introduced up until late-April / early-May.
As the Washington Legislature considers how it will fund the states 2016 budget, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is continuing his push for excessive taxes and harmful bans. Gov. Inslee is asking that the Legislatures budget do the following:
- apply a 95% sales tax on all vapor product devices, components, and liquids;
- ban all online sales to WA residents;
- ban all flavors other than tobacco, mint, wintergreen, and menthol;
- ban sampling in all vape shops
Please take action NOW to protect vaping from these harmful proposals. With an issue as important as this, we are asking vapers not to only send an email, but make phone calls to your State Senator and two State Representatives, asking that they oppose the Governors 95% tax on vapor products and related proposals. Briefly tell your story about how vapor products have impacted your life or the life of a loved one. Remember: Always be respectful and make sure you leave your address so the legislators know you are calling from their district.
- Step 1) Oppose Gov. Inslees taxes and bans - Send an Email
- Step 2) Please call your Senator and Representatives and ask that they oppose Gov. Inslees harmful budget proposals relating to vapor products.
, but unofficial counts posted on Twitter reported ~700 vapers in attendance at the protest and the House Committee hearing.
