Legislation in Hawaii (HB 1321) would redefine vaping as smoking, ban vaping in virtually all workplaces

[Bill Godshall]

Legislation in Hawaii (HB 1321) would falsely redefine "smoking" to include the use of smokefree e-cigarettes, and would ban e-cigarette use in virtually all workplaces and public places (even though e-cigarettes have never harmed any nonuser).
HB1321.DOC

Testimony can be submitted at
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1321&year=2013
Nobody has submitted testimony yet.

Sponsored by Reps. CULLEN, KAWAKAMI, MCDERMOTT, MIZUNO, OSHIRO, Aquino, Fale, Har, Hashem, Ichiyama, Ito, Say

So 12 of 51 Representatives in the HI House are cosponsors.

HB 1321 was referred to House Committees on Health (HLT) and Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPC)

Of the 8 members on the HLT Committee, none are HB 1321 cosponsors.
Of the 15 members on the CPC Committee, 3 are cosponsors (Kawakami is Vice Chair, and McDermott and Har are members).

 

[Fiamma]

OMG they're at it again. We beat the taxation only what, a year ago? Time to give written testimony vapers.

 

[Petrodus]

Wait till the FDA reveals their "Deeming Regulations"

Those opposed to smoking as well as anything that reminds them of tobacco
will be dancing in the streets with joy...They will take the FDA's deeming regulations
as a government stamp of approval e-cigarettes are a major concern to the public
making our experience fighting the "anti-freeze" lies seem like a walk in the park !!

 

[bacc.vap]

I'm no leagal Beagle, is it true that if this passes it will force any ecig related mall kiosks and vapor lounges to shut down?

 

[sonicdsl]

I'm no leagal Beagle, is it true that if this passes it will force any ecig related mall kiosks and vapor lounges to shut down?

We don't know what will happen yet; everything discussed so far is speculation (whether educated or wild). April is just when they say they will announce any impending regulations. Then there will be commentary period, submittal to congress, other things that will happen before whatever they propose may or may not take effect.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Great news. This bill appears to be DEAD for the 2013 legislative session.

Sadly, this bill will likely carryover to the next legislative session (either at the end of 2013 or beginning of 2014), so the issue will not go away for long.