CASAA Call to Action: Rhode Island AGAIN - Now it's HB 5876

[kristin]

Rhode Island: Another Bill to Severely Restrict Online Sales of E-Cigarettes -- HB5876


History: Thanks in part to testimony given on April 9th, 2013 by CASAA members, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to hold SB 622 in committee. HB 5876 is anidentical bill introduced to the House Committee on Finance, that will be discussed on April 23rd, 2013.

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[full text of HB 5876]


Ban e-cigarette sales to minors, but would also greatly restrict online sales of nicotine-containing products by treating e-cigarettes the same as traditional tobacco products.

This bill would:
Specifically, the bill would require a retailer conducting an online sale to: (1) Obtain a copy of the buyer's driver's license; (2) Obtain a statement from the buyer affirming that they are the person pictured; and (3) Send the package through a service that checks the ID of the buyer at delivery. Retailers would be required to perform this check every time a consumer places an order.

HB 5876 would also require e-cigarette retailers in Rhode Island to obtain a tobacco license and only buy their e-cigarettes from licensed wholesalers or distributors.

HB 5876 has been scheduled for a hearing before the House Committee on Finance on Tuesday, April 23rd in Room 35 of the State House in Providence, Rhode Island at 1:00 pm. If you are in or around Rhode Island and can attend and speak at the hearing, please e-mail us at board@casaa.org with the subject line "Rhode Island Testimony." Please help out in any way you can.

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[Zap]

Thanks for posting this. Unfortunately I am unavailable for testimony tomorrow. I'm not sure my testimony would help anyway, as the odds of hiding my disdain for those who wield power over us in this state would be quite low. I'm sure the very few vapers in RI would appreciate help from anyone tomorrow. I hold out little hope this will be defeated in the long run. In fact, I hold out little hope for this state in the long run.

 

[KevinW]

Just looked at the calendar for today and it says SB 622 will be at 3:00 p.m.

PLEASE LORD, let there be a lot of people show up to stop this horrible bill from being passed. Adding such horrible things into a bill that at first glance looks like it is to prevent minors from getting nic supplies is right up Rhode Island's alley for just bad practices.

My stomach is in knots over this and Big Tobacco funding / support this type of bill.

 

[Bill Godshall]

A four page committee substitute bill was introduced today in the RI Senate Judiciary Cmte.

Since the vapers and vendors at the meeting hadn't seen the new bill before, the Senate Judiciary Cmte tabled action on the bill till Thursday.

Interestingly, we knew there was a four page substitute bill yesterday, but Sen Ruggario's staff denied its existance yesterday, and the Senate Judiciary Cmte staff denied its existance today at the beginning of the Judiciary Cmte meeting (when they passed out the original SB 622 again at today's meeting).

But when the bill came up for discussion later in the meeting, the Cmte chair asked if everyone had seen the new four page substitute bill, and all vapers and vendors raised their hands.

One of the vendors is sending me the new four page substitute bill tomorrow morning, so I'll analyze and make recommendations.

 

[KevinW]

So does these mean there was no vote? Did they hear any testimony from vendors and vapers? How many people are you aware of that were there? Should we push to get even more people for Thursday? Sorry if these are stupid questions but I've never been to one of these before and couldn't make it today.

Really worried with Rhode Island being so small and the local vapers section of this forum for Rhode Island being tiny that we will get screwed.

 

[Placebo Effect]

A four page committee substitute bill was introduced today in the RI Senate Judiciary Cmte.

Since the vapers and vendors at the meeting hadn't seen the new bill before, the Senate Judiciary Cmte tabled action on the bill till Thursday.

Interestingly, we knew there was a four page substitute bill yesterday, but Sen Ruggario's staff denied its existance yesterday, and the Senate Judiciary Cmte staff denied its existance today at the beginning of the Judiciary Cmte meeting (when they passed out the original SB 622 again at today's meeting).

But when the bill came up for discussion later in the meeting, the Cmte chair asked if everyone had seen the new four page substitute bill, and all vapers and vendors raised their hands.

One of the vendors is sending me the new four page substitute bill tomorrow morning, so I'll analyze and make recommendations.

I tried to get a copy of the substitute yesterday and was told that their office doesn't release substitute bills until the meeting begins. Yet when I pressed the staffer, he opened up the new bill and told me what was and wasn't in it.

What's ridiculous is that had they just sent CASAA and yourself the substitute bill yesterday, the vapers and vendors would've been there with speeches saying it's a great bill.

Thursday's hearing will be interesting. CASAA, yourself, and Dr. Siegel have shamed ACS and other groups for opposing e-cigarette bans to minors since the last pair of Rhode Island hearings. Will they continue their opposition?

So does these mean there was no vote? Did they hear any testimony from vendors and vapers? How many people are you aware of that were there? Should we push to get even more people for Thursday? Sorry if these are stupid questions but I've never been to one of these before and couldn't make it today.

Really worried with Rhode Island being so small and the local vapers section of this forum for Rhode Island being tiny that we will get screwed.

There will be a hearing Thursday, probably at 3 pm but I'm not sure. I do not know how many people were there. All vapers should attend. I believe the 4 page substitute bill contains what we want (ban to minors, no licensing, no arbitrary online sales restriction), and if that's the case, we need vapers there to ENDORSE passage of the bill.

 

[KevinW]

There will be a hearing Thursday, probably at 3 pm but I'm not sure. I do not know how many people were there. All vapers should attend. I believe the 4 page substitute bill contains what we want (ban to minors, no licensing, no arbitrary online sales restriction), and if that's the case, we need vapers there to ENDORSE passage of the bill.

Okay, great. I tried really hard today to make it but just couldn't. I will make every attempt to get there Thursday with my wife. I feel a little better now that I know there are at least a few of us.

One last stupid question. You keep saying a four (4) page bill. The one I just read for the first time on the state's website is like fourteen (14) pages. Is the bill you're talking about an amendment or was that a type-o?

The bill I read (it has tons of changes on it in red and blue text) still has the requirement to produce a state or federal ID at time of purchase and at time of delivery. That is something I would not support.

Kevin

 

[Berylanna]

So, it will be tomorrow before we know if the remote purchase and delivery restrictions are still nasty?

 

[Natey]

I can understand them not wanting to sell to minors. I agree there, but the way they are going to do this is going to wreck the USA suppliers and business, jacking prices up, and or putting them out of business... I cant stand this.. Why don't they do something about underage drinking and driving that kills people at a young age instead of ruin what is helping so many people overcome smoking cancer sticks.

 

[KevinW]

Why don't they do something about underage drinking and driving that kills people at a young age instead of ruin what is helping so many people overcome smoking cancer sticks.

You mean since Governor Chafee's son was charged with "social host" violation as several under age kids were drinking at their horse farm here RI... yeah right. That would make too much sense. Instead we have to drive State Business away and harm our citizens as much as possible. This state makes me rethink moving here on a daily basis.

 

[Natey]

Yeah well don't bother coming over here to Connecticut, we're on a downward spiral, but then again which state isn't? Oh i know, i think ill move to Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont, deep into the woods...

 

[BigCypress]

Hey what do i need to do ? state house tomorrow? 3 ish? Do i have to speak in front of a crowd?

 

[KevinW]

Anyone know how it went today with SB 622? Couldn't find any information online about it (including the "revised bill" that was brought up Tuesday.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Shortly before the hearing, CASAA endorsed a substitute bill for SB 622 (contingent on a technical amendment being made to the bill to clear up a drafting error) that is approximately 4 pages long.

The bill:
- Defines a vapor product ('tobacco-derived product' has disappeared) and classifies vapor products separately from tobacco products
- Does not require tobacco licensing
- Does not regulate Internet sales (except, of course, if a retailer actually sells to a minor)

Because there is no licensing, the sponsor needed to come up with a way to punish retailers who did sell e-cigarettes to minors. The fine is $500 for each offense.

I've been told the committee passed the bill. Great news!

 

[KevinW]

Shortly before the hearing, CASAA endorsed a substitute bill for SB 622 (contingent on a technical amendment being made to the bill to clear up a drafting error) that is approximately 4 pages long.

The bill:
- Defines a vapor product ('tobacco-derived product' has disappeared) and classifies vapor products separately from tobacco products
- Does not require tobacco licensing
- Does not regulate Internet sales (except, of course, if a retailer actually sells to a minor)

Because there is no licensing, the sponsor needed to come up with a way to punish retailers who did sell e-cigarettes to minors. The fine is $500 for each offense.

I've been told the committee passed the bill. Great news!

If that is truly what the SB 622 ended up being then this is a HUGE WIN for Rhode Island and vapers alike. Selling to minors being punishable is fine by me as we should not be supporting that type of behavior.

I am really happy!

 

[Littlewing]

Our representatives ACTUALLY got something right for a change!?!? Complete and utter shock...

 

[AgentAnia]

Well done, everyone!!!!!

 

[BigCypress]

Congrats everyone. Wish I could have help ed more. Whoever needs my email for additional support please pm me.

 

[Jfaria1891]

We Won?!? that was not expected "Our representatives ACTUALLY got something right for a change!?!? Complete and utter shock..." haha yes it is.

 

[KevinW]

I think we all owe the members of the CASAA and those that were on the front lines of the bill a great deal of thanks.

We are all very lucky to have you all supporting and fighting for our rights