HEADS UP - NEWS - UPDATES! (When we know, you'll know!)

[kristin]

January 10, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (KENTUCKY) Just reducing smoking (not good enough when vaping) IS good when the result of taxes? ANTZ touting "50% changed behavior," but reality is just 26% even ATTEMPTED to quit. On plus side, 25% of KY smokers have tried vaping.

Half of Kentucky smokers say higher tax is making them quit - or at least try to quit

OPINION: (Michael McGrady) Regulating vaping While Understanding Policy Comparisons: Comparing US, UK and Australia's regulatory policies on #vaping.

On its current course, “It’s possible the e-cigarette category all but disappears” in the US 2019.

https://bit.ly/2FkZl9I

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO: HEADS UP! Smoke Free Idaho public presentation at City Hall on Jan. 16, 4-6 PM, to prohibit private businesses from catering to #vaping clients. Their smoke-free model includes vaping despite lack of evidence of risk to bystanders.

Public input session on proposed smoking ordinance is Wednesday

NEW MEXICO: HEADS UP! State lawmakers push to increase taxes on #vaping products, additional 5¢/ml of liquid would be added. That would cost vapers about an extra $3 on 60 ml. Sen. Sanchez openly admits it's about revenue, not health. State lawmakers push to increase taxes on cigarettes, e-cigs

DES PLAINES, ILLINOIS: HEADS UP! Law prohibiting adult #smokers 18-20 years old from buying, using or possessing low risk #vaping products expected to return before the council for a final vote on Jan. 22!

Des Plaines aldermen propose raising age for tobacco sales, possession to 21

 

[kristin]

January 11, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

THE MORE YOU KNOW: If just "thinking about" quitting #smoking, 6 / 10 NOT reducing their smoking, & 3 / 4 NOT attempting to quit is considered a "success" for #cigarette tax, why do they still claim reducing smoking/quitting with #vaping isn't good enough? Higher cigarette tax is making Kentucky smokers quit; would it work in Indiana?

NEBRASKA: HEADS UP! Bill LB149 would deny ADULT smokers 18-20 access to lower risk #vaping products & prohibit private businesses from catering to vaping customers on their own property.

Lawmaker looks to increase vaping age to 21 in Nebraska

ERIE COUNTY, NEW YORK: HEADS UP! Community forum on 3/6/19 at Lancaster Opera House to discuss denying ADULT #smokers 18-20 access to much lower risk #vaping products.

Erie County lawmakers indicate new e-cigarette rules could be on the horizon

MARYLAND: HEADS UP! Bill HB 27 would prohibit private businesses from catering to #vaping customers on their property, also removes an oft-cited incentive for #smokers to make the switch to a much lower risk alternative.

Maryland HB27 | 2019 | Regular Session

 

[kristin]

January 16, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS: (UPDATE) Needham Board of Health unanimously approved the ban of flavored tobacco products beginning July City already banned "candy-flavored" vapes. New law will prohibit sale of all vape flavors with exception of regular tobacco. Needham bans flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes

NEW YORK: (HEADS UP!) New York State could deny adult smokers 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products in Cuomo budget plan
Cuomo: Raise e-cigarette, tobacco age to 21

APPLETON, WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!) Despite no evidence of risk to bystanders, city plans to prohibit private businesses from allowing vaping in their establishment, including bars and vape shops. BOH will take up issue Feb. 13 Fox Cities Notebook: Indoor vaping ban proposed in Appleton, expansion of I-41 sought

COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Despite no evidence of risk to bystanders, state lawmaker plans to prohibit private businesses from allowing vaping in their establishment, including bars and vape shops. Lawmakers Plan To Amend Clean Indoor Air Act To Include E-Cigarettes

DECATUR, ALABAMA: (UPDATE) City moving forward to prohibit private businesses owners from allowing vaping in their establishment, but change would exempt vape shops so long as (presumably vaping) customers & cashiers aren't exposed. Marks: Vaping would be allowed in shops that specialize in e-cigarettes

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (MINNESOTA) State taxes vape products at 95%, numerous cities ban flavors, indoor use and 18-20 yr old purchase, then wonders why smoking hasn't declined more. Smoking decline slows in Minnesota

MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) City considering denying adult smokers 18-20 access to low risk vaping products. Asking residents to complete survey at Meriden Tobacco 21 Ordinance Survey (until 1/25/19) through Jan 25.

Meriden councilors considering raising age for tobacco, vaping purchases

CHESHIRE, CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) Council considering denying adult smokrs 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products. Considering draft ordinance on Feb. 5th. Cheshire Town Council may raise minimum age to buy vaping devices

 

[kristin]

January 18, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

VERMONT: (HEADS UP!) State lawmakers introducing bills denying adult #smokers 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products, ban direct online sales to consumers and tax #vapor products like cigarettes.
New bill would ban online sales of e-cigarettes in Vermont

OPINION: (Lindsey Stroud) "States should reform how they spend tobacco funds — not restrict access to products"
States should reform how they spend tobacco funds — not restrict access to products

MANKATO, MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) City again looking to deny adult #smokers 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products. Could vote on Feb. 11 to set a hearing and vote for Feb. 28. Mankato to reconsider Tobacco 21 ordinance

DULUTH, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) City moves closer to denying adult #smokers 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products.
https://halfwheel.com/duluth-minn-tobacco-age-increase-proposal-moves-forward/291079

VIRGINIA: (HEADS UP!) State lawmaker moves to deny adult #smokers 18-20 access to low risk #vaping products.
Virginia lawmakers want to raise age to buy tobacco, e-cigarettes to 21

 

[kristin]

January 21, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

RHODE ISLAND: (HEADS UP!) Governor Raimondo looking to add 40% tax to #vaping products, which would help level the playing field for #cigarettes and give state more revenue, while removing cost incentive for #smokers to switch to a far safer alternative.

https://halfwheel.com/rhode-islands-governor-repeats-proposal-for-higher-tobacco-taxes/291356

TEXAS: (HEADS UP!) Rep. Zerwas (R-Katy) introduced bill HB 749, which would deny adult #smokers 18-20 access to very low risk #vaping products.

https://halfwheel.com/texas-joins-states-considering-tobacco-21-bills/291436

SOUTH CAROLINA: (HEADS UP!) Rep. Rutherford (D-Richland) introduced HB 3451, which would deny adult #smokers 18-20 access to very low risk #vaping products.

https://halfwheel.com/south-carolina-joins-states-considering-tobacco-21/291463

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) House Committee Chairman looking to add tax to #vaping products, which would help level the playing field for #cigarettes and give state more revenue, while removing cost incentive for #smokers to switch to a far safer alternative. Indiana cigarette tax hike, legal marijuana bids stalling

 

[kristin]

January 23, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

DECATUR, ALABAMA: (UPDATE) City Council votes 4-1 to add vaping products to #smoking ordinance, denying most businesses the right to allow #vaping in their establishment, limits vaping in vape shops.
Decatur council approves vaping ban

OHIO: (HEADS UP!) American Cancer Society lobbying for high #cigarette tax on #vaping products, pushing to deny #smoking adults 18-20 access to the far safer alternatives to #smoking.

Should vaping be taxed like cigarettes? Some Ohio advocates think so

MONTANA: (HEADS UP!) Senate Bill 96 would add a 50% tax to #vaping products, threatening an important incentive for #smokers to make the switch to the far lower risk alternatives. It's not over! Send a message to your Montana lawmaker here: MT – Stop a tax on vaping! - CASAA

ALACHUA COUNTY, FLORIDA: (UPDATE) County denies adult #smokers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products, treating them the same as #cigarettes. More unreasonable laws will surely follow unless Florida #vapers unite and stand against it! County raises tobacco buying age to 21

 

[kristin]

January 24, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

BELTRAMI COUNTY, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) County denies adult #smokers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products. Latest in string of MN cities ignoring the science of tobacco harm reduction.

Beltrami County raises age to buy tobacco, vaping products

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS: (UPDATE & HEADS UP!) City Council chooses cautious approach on #vaping product age regulation, but still drafting ordinance that would prohibit businesses from allowing vaping in their own establishments.

Champaign council not yet ready to regulate e-cigarette market

ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) Numerous municipalities in state passing/considering laws denying adult #smokers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Cook County ready to ban under-21 tobacco sales in unincorporated areas

BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) City denies adult #smokers 18-20 access to much safer, smoke-free alternative #vaping products. Some laws are passing fast, without news reports. Please join CASAA to help us stay on top of/alert members in your area!

Bridgeport raises the age of sale of tobacco to 21; law includes e-cigarettes

TYLER, TEXAS: (UPDATE) City prohibits business from allowing use of #vaping products in their establishment. Some laws are passing fast, without news reports. Please join CASAA to help us stay on top of/alert members in your area!

Tyler approves ban on e-cigarettes in public places

 

[kristin]

January 25, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

IN THE NEWS: Congress authorized @FDATobacco to review modified risk claims, but proving far less harm isn't enough. Must also prove impossible: knowing truth won't attract new users. Snus has 30+ years of evidence but can't legally tell public this truth. https://bit.ly/2B4RQQt

MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) Village considering laws to deny adult #smokers 18-20 access to far safer alternative #vaping products and prohibit business owners from allowing #vaping in their own establishments.

Village Considers Raising Age To Purchase Tobacco | Journal & Topics Media Group

THE MORE YOU KNOW: If you're on Facebook, please join your state's CASAA group and help us continue to fight for tobacco harm reduction policies!



ARIZONA: (HEADS UP!) Anti harm reduction groups pushing to pass Tobacco 21 law, which typically also denies adult #smokers 18-20 access to far safer alternative #vaping products. Join CASAA in fighting these laws!

Proposal would raise minimum age to buy tobacco to 21

VERMONT: (HEADS UP!) @GovPhilScott backing outrageous 92% wholesale tax on #vaping products, which would remove an important lower cost incentive for inveterate adult #smokers to switch to the far lower risk products.

https://vtdigger.org/2019/01/24/scott-backs-92-percent-e-cigarette-tax-curb-youth-use/

NORTH DAKOTA: (HEADS UP!) Bill HB 1477 would ban all #eliquid flavors other than tobacco and menthol, removing an important feature that helps #smokers stay off combustible #cigarettes.

ND - Stop a Flavor Ban

OPINION: (Washington Examiner) The FDA is on a mission to 'protect' you from harmless products.

The FDA is on a mission to 'protect' you from harmless products

 

[kristin]

January 28, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

IOWA: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers appear to be helping #tobacco sales by denying adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products, while allowing sale and possession of combustible #cigarettes.

Proposal would lift legal age to purchase e-cigarettes from 18 to 21

DOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers hearing argument to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Dover Y2Y again asking Legislature to raise tobacco age to 21

NEW MEXICO: (HEADS UP!) HB 261 would tax #vaping products with a 76% excise tax, increasing the cost to remove an important incentive for #smokers to make the switch from #smoking to far safer #vapor products.

https://bit.ly/2DEt8YP

MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) Proposed bills would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vapor products and prohibit businesses from allowing #vaping in their own establishment.

Local lawmakers working on Tobacco 21, Helmet to Hardhat legislation

SAN CARLOS, CALIFORNIA: (HEADS UP!) City Council wants to ban flavored #vaping products although it's already illegal to sell to anyone under 21. Would deny adult #vapers access to products that are most successful in helping them quit #smoking.

City looks to ban flavored tobacco, menthol cigs, smoking in apartments - Palo Alto Daily Post

ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers again trying to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Advocates again try to raise state's tobacco-buying age to 21

DULUTH, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) CIty Council voting TONIGHT tp deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Duluth City Council to vote on Tobacco 21

OKLAHOMA: (HEADS UP!) Bill HB 1432 would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

https://bit.ly/2Tl50zB

 

[kristin]

January 29, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Without anyone to speak in opposition last week, Council will vote 2/4 to deny adult #smokers & #vapers access to far safer alternative #vaping products. It's not too late for advocates to fight this anti-THR policy!

Raising age on tobacco products to 21 gets support

NATIONAL: (HEADS UP!) New bill (HR 293) introduced in Congress would ban sale of #vaping products and much lower risk #tobacco products across state lines (incl. online,) add excessive taxes and ban non-tobacco flavors (unless approved as NRT.)

https://bit.ly/2RSY0xn

OPINION: (Brian Darling) The FDA Is Overreaching With Its Attempt to Ban Vaping "Government regulators are supposed to protect, not hurt, the very people they are charged to help."

The FDA Is Overreaching With Its Attempt to Ban Vaping

OPINION: Brilliant points made by @jacobgrier We Are Completely Overreacting to Vaping
"The moral panic against it is an irrational response fueled by anti-smoker bias."

https://bit.ly/2CUUqZl

 

[kristin]

January 30, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you're on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

APPLETON, WISCONSIN: (CALL TO ACTION) BOH would prohibit businesses from allowing #vaping in their own establishments!
WI – Appleton – Stop a #vaping ban! - CASAA

VERMONT: (UPDATE) State House bill H47, a 92% wholesale tax on #vapor products, has passed in Ways and Means Committee. Bill will now go before the full House.

https://bit.ly/2UrzS1G

VIRGINIA: (UPDATE) State bill to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products passed in the Senate and will move to a vote in the House.

Bill to raise age to purchase tobacco products passes Senate, moves to House of Delegates

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) House Bill 1444 would tax #vaping products 8¢ per millimeter ($4.80 on a 60 ml bottle). Increase would remove important cost incentive for #smokers to switch!

Indiana lawmakers considering tax on e-liquids | 2019-01-29 | Indianapolis Business Journal | IBJ.com

WASHINGTON: (UPDATE) State Bills SB 5057 in the Senate and HB 1074 in the House would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

https://bit.ly/2GdsSl5

ALBERT LEA, MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) City would deny adult #smokers and #vapers access to much safer alternative #vaping products. SECOND HEARING possibly on February 25th!

https://bit.ly/2GfE7tv

WARRENSBURG, MISSOURI: (UPDATE) City changes definition of #smoking to include #vaping products, prohibiting businesses from allowing vaping in their establishment and removing important incentive for #smokers to switch to safer alternative.

Council redefines smoking

 

[kristin]

February 1, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Read CASAA's submitted testimony opposing the city's proposed flavor ban on #vaping products and watch video of the committee hearing.

CASAA Submits Written Testimony in Opposition to NYC’s Proposed Flavor Ban (Int. No. 1362-2019) - CASAA

COLORADO: (CALL TO ACTION) HB 1076 would prohibit businesses from allowing vaping in their establishments, removing important incentive for #smokers to switch to safer alternative. Attend the meeting on FEB. 6th and contact your lawmakers using this link!

CO - Stop a vaping ban!

OKLAHOMA #1: (HEADS UP!) SB 290 would prohibit businesses from allowing #vaping in their own establishment, removing important incentive for #smokers to switch to much safer alternative.

Lawmakers want vaping products treated the same as tobacco

OKLAHOMA #2: (HEADS UP!) HB 2460 would change current law and allow employers to discriminate against prospective employees who use any type of #tobacco, including low-risk, smoke-free #vaping products, during NON-working hours.

https://bit.ly/2DOo6ZS

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) @OregonGovBrown wants to double the tax on lower risk #smokefree #tobacco products and extend sin tax that discourage #smokers switching to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Oregon Considers Tobacco Tax Hikes Montana and South Dakota Reject

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Despite sensationalist headlines claiming the contrary, cross-sectional study did NOT show #vaping increases risk of heart attack/stroke, as high risk past and current #smoking weren't excluded as factors. Loose correlation ≠ causation.

Vaping health risks: Study links e-cigs to heart attack and stroke—but there's more to it

VERMONT: (UPDATE) State House bill H47, a 92% wholesale tax on #vapor products, that woud dissuade adult #smokers from switching to much safer alternative, has passed in the House. Goes next to Senate.

Vermont House passes 92-percent e-cigarette tax

RUSHFORD, MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) City considering ordinance revisions to include #vaping products. Possible discussion at MARCH meeting. Contact your city officials and make your opinion known!

Rushford council ponders tobacco ordinance, approves engineering studies

OPINION: (RONALD W. DWORKIN) "Public health activists know the difference between fact and fantasy, but they believe the fantasy—that vaping is as bad as smoking—because they themselves have invented and ornamented it."

The Arrogance of Public Health Advocacy - The American Interest

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Focus on #vape pods having "as much #nicotine as pack of cigarettes" (not true: approx. 41 mg in pods vs 200+ mg in cig pack) purposely diverts attention from fact that 99.9% of health risk is from the SMOKE. Low health risk & habitual use doesn't justify bans.

 

[kristin]

February 4, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

IN THE NEWS: Contrary to recent headlines, study did NOT show youth #vaping leads to #smoking. "Gateway" predicts more vaping=more smoking, but HS smoking DECLINED: 20% (pre-vaping 2007) to 7.6% (2017). No evidence "vape first" wouldn't have been "cigarette first" absent vaping.

Link to the study:
Association of Electronic Cigarette Use With Subsequent Initiation of Tobacco Cigarettes in US Youths
Electronic Cigarette Use and Subsequent Cigarette Smoking Initiation

NEW HAMPSHIRE: (CALL TO ACTION) SB 248 would deny people who smoke btwn the ages of 18-21 access to safer alternatives! Take action & urge state senators to reject Tobacco (& #Vaping) 21!

NH - Stop Tobacco AND Vapor 21!

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Town Council may VOTE TUESDAY FEB. 5th to deny adult #smokers and #vapers access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Wallingford ordinance committee to look at changes to tobacco, ethics rules

IN THE NEWS: Defense officials tell troops "no proof" #vaping helps people quit #smoking long term and can lead non-smokers to smoking, but declining #cigarette sales and plummeting smoking rates from switching to low risk vaping tells a different story.

Among troops, vaping is now more popular than cigarettes

MINNESOTA: "Gateway effect" fails to manifest in state as young adults (18-24) stick with vaping while smoking rates in group drop by nearly half since 2014, 44% of vapers bypassed "ever smoking" for vaping, and "never-smoked" for all adults rose to 60%.

E-cigarettes gaining popularity

CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) HB 6404 would ban ALL flavors in #vaping products, while other proposed bills would require signature for delivery, tax the same as cigarettes and deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to these safer products.

Local lawmakers target tobacco, e-cigs, vaping

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, MICHIGAN: (HEADS UP!) Next week, officials plan to prohibit business owners from allowing #vaping in their own establishments, removing important incentive for #smokers to switch to much lower risk products.
Waterford considers vaping ban for minors

NEW MEXICO: (HEADS UP!) Two bills advance in legislature that would tax #vaping products at 76%, negating important cost incentive for #smokers to switch, while another would prohibit business owners from allowing vaping in their establishment.

New Mexico bills to restrict, tax e-cigarettes advance

MONTROSE, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) City plans to prohibit businesses from allowing #vaping in their establishments, negating important incentive for #smokers to switch to safer alternative. Illogically sold as part of plan to address youth vaping.

Montrose Considering Vaping Ordinance

HAWAII: (UPDATE) HB 276 (Senate companion SB 1009) which would ban flavored tobacco and vapor products, has moved to the Committee on Health. Hearing is Tuesday, February 5th at 9:05 AM.

Measure Status

STOW, OHIO: (HEADS UP!) City ordinance would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Stow considers raising tobacco-buying age to 21

NEW HAMPSHIRE #2: (CALL TO ACTION!) HB 680 would subject #vaping products to state's 65.03% wholesale tobacco tax,negating important cost incentive for #smokers to switch. Hearing THURS, FEB 7 at 1:45 PM.

NH - Stop a 65% tax on Vaping!

 

[kristin]

February 5, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

GENEVA, ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) City officials considering ordinance that would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Geneva may ban selling tobacco to people under 21

SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Town Council passes ordinance that denies adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much lower risk alternative #vaping products.

SW raises age to buy tobacco, vapes to 21

VIRGINIA: (HEADS UP!) Bill to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much lower risk alternative #vaping products heading to @GovernorVA Northam's desk.

Bill to raise age of buying tobacco products to 21 headed to governor's desk

NEW MEXICO: (UPDATE & HEADS UP!) Bills to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products AND would tax #vaping products at 76%, negating important cost incentive for #smokers to switch advance in legislature.

Bills to restrict, tax electronic cigarettes advance in New Mexico Legislature

 

[kristin]

February 6, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

ASHLAND, MASSACHUSETTS: (UPDATE) Board of Health bans mint, wintergreen and menthol-flavored #tobacco and #vaping products.

Ashland Bans Menthol and Mint Tobacco and E-Cigarettes

ILLINOIS: @GovPritzker says he will sign law denying adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products.

Tobacco 21 moves out of Senate Public Health Committee

UTAH: (HEADS UP!) State Rep. Paul Ray introduced HB 252 on Monday, which will increase the tax on #vaping products to 86.5 cents per "dosage," negating an important cost incentive for #smokers to switch to the much safer alternative.

Lawmakers will again consider raising taxes on e-cigarettes

IN THE NEWS: (GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN) Proposed ordinance would prohibit sale and possession of non-nicotine #vaping devices to minors under age of 18.

Green Bay leader calls for a new rule on teen vaping

SPRING HILL, TENNESSEE: (HEADS UP!) City officials considering banning the use of low risk #vaping products OUTSIDE in public parks, in spite of lack of evidence of health risks, because of vague "complaints and issues."

City could ban vaping in public parks

 

[kristin]

February 7, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Bill HB 19-1033 passes in House, allowing municipalities to increase tax on #vaping products, which would also reduce affordability for adults, & deny adult #smokers & #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative vapor products.

https://bit.ly/2ULEcZO

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) Separate bills would deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products, and add a 4¢ per ml tax to vaping products. Separate bill would add 8¢ per ml tax.

Indiana could raise smoking age, start vaping liquids tax

PURCELL, OKLAHOMA: (HEADS UP!) City bans use of all #vaping products on all OUTDOOR city property "open to the general public for recreational purposes." Shockingly, article states "possession" alone is also a misdemeanor, even if not being used!

No smoking, vaping

HAWAII: (HEADS UP!) House Bill 387 would prohibit consumers from receiving #vaping and smoke-free tobacco products ordered or purchased through a remote sale (ie. no direct online sales), and applies cigarette and tobacco tax laws to #vapor products.

https://bit.ly/2SeHEiR

 

[kristin]

February 8, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

WYOMING: (HEADS UP!) House Bill 282, first killed on Thursday then quickly revised and approved, will regulate #vaping products the same as #tobacco. On plus side, sin tax has been removed, subjecting #vaping products only to regular sales tax.

Wyoming House revives bill to regulate vaping

CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) Senate Bill 397 would ban the sale of all flavored #vaping products other than #tobacco, mint and menthol flavors, denying adult #vapers access to the flavors that help them quit #smoking. Corresponding House bill is HB 6404.

Haskell Endorses Initiatives Against Opioids, Vaping

NEW MARKET, NEW HAMPSHIRE: (UPDATE) New town ordinance makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to buy, possess and use tobacco and #vaping products, denying adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternatives.

Newmarket raises to 21 minimum age for tobacco, e-cigarettes

IN THE NEWS: FDA TPSAC Committee, at which CASAA CEO @Hello_Alex Alex Clark testified (in addition to the Swedish Match hearing), voted that the scientific evidence SUPPORTED proposed modified risk label. CASAA's written TPSAC comments post forthcoming.

USSTC's Modified-Risk Application for Copenhagen Moves Through FDA Committee

NEW JERSEY: (UPDATE & HEADS UP!) Assembly Bill 4896, which would require adult consumers be present to sign for delivery of their #vaping products, has passed in committee.

Conaway, Armato, Vainieri Huttle Bill Restricting Delivery of Electronic Smoking Devices and Tobacco Products to Residences Clears Assembly Committee - Insider NJ

 

[kristin]

February 11, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

NEBRASKA: (CALL TO ACTION!) LB 314 would subject #vapor products (liquids & devices) to state’s 20% wholesale tax on products other than snuff. Scheduled for hearing Thursday, February 14 at 12:30 PM.

NE - Take action to stop a tax on vaping!

CONNECTICUT: (CALL TO ACTION!) Two bills (HB 6464 & HB 6404) that would tax #vapor products at 50% and outlaw flavors are scheduled for public hearings THIS WEEK. (See link.)

CT - Stop the attack on vaping

 

[kristin]

February 12, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS: (HEADS UP!) Anti-vaping coalition wants to force #vaping outside to somehow keep youth from seeing them and to "protect health," even though vapor has not been shown to pose any health risk to bystanders. Council meeting on Feb. 19th. Coalition to propose adding e-cigarettes, vaping to Nacogdoches smoking ordinance

SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO: (HEADS UP!) Council will review legislation to deny adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products and will act on it at upcoming meetings.

Summit County pondering under-21 sales ban on vaping products, e-cigarettes

INDIANA: (HEADS UP! & UPDATE) Proposed 4¢ per ml tax passes in House, moving to Senate.

Indiana House Approves New Tax On Vaping

 

[kristin]

February 15, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)

WEST VIRGINIA: (HEADS UP!) Committee passes bill that would deny adult #smoker and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping products to "protect youth," but they admit "our 18- to 21-year-olds actually purchase a small amount of tobacco.”

Senate bill would raise tobacco-use age to 21

MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) Bills pass in committee that would deny adult #smokers & #vapers 18-20 access to much safer #vaping products (even though 18-24 smoking dropped 50% since 2014) & prohibit business owners from allowing vaping in their establishments.

Bills to curb smoking pass MN House Committee, including Tobacco 21

OPINION: (American Council on Science and Health) CDC Misleads By Calling E-Cigarettes A 'Tobacco Product'

Note: While High School smoking is INSIGNIFICANTLY up in 2018 (after CDC/FDA warnings about vaping seemed to increase interest?) it's still down from 22.5% pre-vaping in 2002 to just 8.1% in 2018.

CDC Misleads by Calling E-Cigarettes a 'Tobacco Product'

HUDSON, OHIO: (UPDATE) Council wisely REJECTS law that would have denied adult #smokers and #vapers access to much safer alternative #vaping and #smokefree products.

Hudson rejects Tobacco 21 measure

LEHI, UTAH: (UPDATE) City is first in state to unwisely deny adult #smokers & #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping & #smokefree products.

Lehi becomes first Utah city to raise legal tobacco age to 21. It may not be the last.

VIRGINIA: (UPDATE) "Veto proof margins" anti-harm reduction bill denying adult #smokers and #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping and #smokefree products heading to desk of Gov. Ralph Northam.

Virginia will raise age for buying tobacco, e-cigarettes to 21

UTAH: (HEADS UP!) HB 252 & HB 327 anti-harm reduction laws would deny adult #smokers & #vapers 18-20 access to much safer alternative #vaping & #smokeless products & increase tax on #vaping products to 86.5% like tobacco.
House Bills propose higher taxes on e-cigs and vape products, raising legal age to buy tobacco products

BERKSHIRE COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS: (HEADS UP!) Tri-Town Board of Health looking to pass anti-harm reduction ban on flavored #vaping & #smokefree products, removing very important feature that helps adult #smokers quit.

Tri-Town Health Board sets its sights on flavored tobacco - Berkshire Record

APPLETON, WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) #Vape shop owners convince BOH to exclude shops from indoor #vaping ban (but may just be grandfathered, so fight not over.) Still would prohibit other businesses from allowing vaping. March BOH meeting, then to full Council.

Appleton vape shop owners compromise with city officials on proposed workplace vaping ban

IN THE NEWS: (FLORIDA) Not enough that voters approved Amendment 9 (banning offshore drilling & indoor #vaping), ANTZ push lawmakers to reclassify vapor products as #tobacco, so they can regulate & tax even more. Except that isn't what voters agreed to.
https://bit.ly/2N8ZAWi

COMMENTARY: (SALLY SATEL @slsatel - WALL STREET JOURNAL) Vaping Is Harm Reduction - The surgeon general is right on opioids, but wrong on tobacco.

"Dr. Adams should embrace harm reduction as boldly for nicotine addicts as he does for opioid users."

https://on.wsj.com/2DGnowp

IN THE NEWS: (MADISON, WISCONSIN) Lawmakers claim law needed because "even if the devices don't contain tobacco using them will lead to tobacco use." Except vaping liquid NEVER contains tobacco & NO EVIDENCE nicotine-free liquid leads to tobacco use.

https://bit.ly/2EdqjOw

COMMENTARY: (GUY BENTLEY @gbentley1) "...FDA is planning a massive regulatory onslaught against products that are significantly safer than cigarettes based on an unproven hypothesis and an alleged gateway that is as poorly defined as it is elusive."
https://washex.am/2V0eCjH

IN THE NEWS: Researchers Try Nicotine To Treat Memory Loss:
"It's been known for some time that nicotine itself could have beneficial effects in even reducing diseases such as Parkinson's disease." - Dr. Sudha Seshadri, director of UT Health San Antonio's Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

https://bit.ly/2V1ae46

HARDIN COUNTY, KENTUCKY: (HEADS UP!) Anti-harm reduction law would deny adult #smokers & #vapers access to much safer alternative #vaping & #smokefree products.

https://bit.ly/2EcgnF6

PONCHATOULA, LOUISIANA: (UPDATE) Anti-harm reduction law prohibits #vaping indoors, despite lacking any evidence of harm to bystanders from vapor, removing yet another incentive for adult #smokers to switch to a far safer alternative.

https://bit.ly/2DFSvZ4

SUMMERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA: (UPDATE) Council wisely votes against anti-harm reduction law that would have prohibited #vaping OUTDOORS in parks and at events, Councilman Walter Bailey "argued that vaping isn’t known to have the same negative effects ."

https://bit.ly/2GINrpT

IN THE NEWS: (OAK FOREST, ILLINOIS) To justify fairly reasonable ordinance banning sales to minors, Police Chief Timothy Kristin makes shockingly unscientific and disproven claim that "ingesting nicotine" is "what is bad about smoking cigarettes."
https://bit.ly/2GtLjmF

WEST WINDSOR, NEW JERSEY: (HEADS UP!) Anti-harm reduction law would license stores but BAN #VAPE SHOPS. Health officer Jill Swanson conflates "pure nicotine" with e-liquid, stating "one drop" on skin can "kill an adult." Public hearing Tues. Feb. 19th!

https://bit.ly/2XewlGi

ARKANSAS: (HEADS UP!) House Bill 1442 would add a 10¢ tax on #vaping products, plus sales tax, to fund a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in the state. Ironically increasing the cost a product that could actually help lower cancer rates. https://bit.ly/2DGTjwJ

IN THE NEWS: CASAA CEO Alex Clark Speaks in Support of Modified Risk Tobacco Products at FDA

http://www.casaa.org/news/casaa-speaks-in-support-of-modified-risk-tobacco-products-at-fda/