I can't post this to the correct thread yet, but I had to get this up.
I have an update on HB 2097, the latest bill attacking vaping rights in Oklahoma. It appears that the conference committee has made a recommendation that will remove the worst parts of the bill. vaping products will specifically be excluded from the "tobacco products" and the "tobacco derived products" designation. It will remain legal to buy these products online, and they will not be taxed. On a quick read through of the proposed final version of the bill, the only things relating to vape shops and products is specifically stating that it is illegal to sell them to minors, and that samples cannot be where they can be accessed without assistance unless minors are excluded from the store.
Vape shops will be required to post some signage stating that they do not sell to minors. The new version also indicates that no special licensing will be required, as one of the potential penalties for a violation by a tobacco shop is losing their tobacco license, whereas for a vapor shop, the penalty would instead be to lose their sales tax permit. I would call this a victory for vape shops, as I know most already exclude minors, and as far as I know, it was already illegal to sell anything containing nicotine to minors. Of course, this version still has to pass, but the signature page had the signature of the senator responsible for the offending amendment. The text of the conference committee's final version of the bill can be found here:
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2013-14 COMMITTEE REPORTS/House/CCR Combined/HB2097 ccr.pdf
I have an update on HB 2097, the latest bill attacking vaping rights in Oklahoma. It appears that the conference committee has made a recommendation that will remove the worst parts of the bill. vaping products will specifically be excluded from the "tobacco products" and the "tobacco derived products" designation. It will remain legal to buy these products online, and they will not be taxed. On a quick read through of the proposed final version of the bill, the only things relating to vape shops and products is specifically stating that it is illegal to sell them to minors, and that samples cannot be where they can be accessed without assistance unless minors are excluded from the store.
Vape shops will be required to post some signage stating that they do not sell to minors. The new version also indicates that no special licensing will be required, as one of the potential penalties for a violation by a tobacco shop is losing their tobacco license, whereas for a vapor shop, the penalty would instead be to lose their sales tax permit. I would call this a victory for vape shops, as I know most already exclude minors, and as far as I know, it was already illegal to sell anything containing nicotine to minors. Of course, this version still has to pass, but the signature page had the signature of the senator responsible for the offending amendment. The text of the conference committee's final version of the bill can be found here:
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2013-14 COMMITTEE REPORTS/House/CCR Combined/HB2097 ccr.pdf
