Utah legislation

[JustJulie]

Julie -

Thanks for this! I hope you don't mind that I quoted a couple of these talking points and the contact list on the CASAA Call to Action page?

You know that CASAA is welcome to use whatever I have.

I would encourage Utah folks to call the members of the Business and Labor Committee. Calls really count for something, and in Utah, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you actually had the opportunity to talk with some of the representatives in person. If you live near enough to salt Lake City, ask for an opportunity to appear before the Committee or for a personal meeting with a representative.

You might want to also call your local representative, whether or not on the Committee--it's a good way of getting some positive information in the hands of our elected officials. For many politicians, all they know about e-cigarettes is the misinformation they're getting from the antis, and it is vitally important that we start getting accurate information out there.

For those outside the state, your calls and letters are important, too. Don't try to pretend you're a Utah resident . . . just tell the truth, that you have friends in Utah, people who, like you, use electronic cigarettes as an alternative to smoking, and you're very concerned.

When you call, tell them how long you've been using e-cigarettes as an alternative to smoking and then try to highlight the THREE things the proposed legislation addresses (talking points for these three issues are provided in other posts in this thread--just pick your favorites):

1. Removal of non-tobacco flavors from e-cigarettes.

2. Requires face-to-face sales.

3. Bans the sale of e-cigarettes without on/off switches. When you talk about the on/off switch, you might want to mention that you have no idea what that is all about and that as far as you can see, it would basically make it a crime to sell the vast majority of e-cigarettes out there for absolutely no good reason.

 

[kristin]

3. Bans the sale of e-cigarettes without on/off switches. When you talk about the on/off switch, you might want to mention that you have no idea what that is all about and that as far as you can see, it would basically make it a crime to sell the vast majority of e-cigarettes out there for absolutely no good reason.

I just don't get that one. Do they think the auto batteries will somehow get stuck on and start a fire or something??? I love how they just make crap up.

 

[JustJulie]

I just don't get that one. Do they think the auto batteries will somehow get stuck on and start a fire or something??? I love how they just make crap up.

I honestly haven't figured out what this is all about . . . whether it's some kind of stupid child-proofing issue, fire-safety issue, or what . . . if so, it reflects a total lack of understanding of the product.

Here's an excerpt from Representative Ray when he tried to ban e-cigs last year:

Obviously you're getting rid of some of the smoke, but the nicotine is the key ingredient that's the main killer. We still know, for a fact--not maybe--we know for a fact that nicotine causes heart disease. It causes issues with the arteries. It causes hypertension. It's a pesticide. It's used to kill things. We know that it is a poison. We also know that nicotine, for a fact, is more addictive and harder to beat than ...... or ........ So we know the problems that are with nicotine. There's science behind that. The question is, on the e-cigarette, what's better. The whole thing we need to concentrate on is the nicotine itself--that's what we're going after here. We know how deadly it is. It's an absolute when it comes to heart disease and other illnesses. We absolutely know that in a dosage of just a few milligrams is fatal to a child. We know that 30 milligrams is the fatal dose to an adult--actually I have 26, or .26 milligrams, so we know there's a fatality, a toxicity level with nicotine. We know absolutely those things....

He didn't win on an outright prohibition last year, so he's going at it through the backdoor this year.


The forum filter removed some words, replacing them with ellipses . . . it's probably enough to know that he's referring to two illegal substances.

 

[son et lumiere]

I have e-mail the whole lot of em, Gah! this really bites!

Just copy and paste your emails.

 

[Placebo Effect]

I just don't get that one. Do they think the auto batteries will somehow get stuck on and start a fire or something??? I love how they just make crap up.

Another member guessed that it was to "protect the children." I assume Rep. Ray sees the switch as a way to childproof it. However, because it's just a switch and not a lock, the device would be child proof for few children above the age of 2.

 

[babyblueut]

Just copy and paste your emails.

Ya I copied all of the addresses and put them in one email, sent all at once, I really meant that the whole situation bites!

 

[jlarsen]

It appears that HB 170 in Utah (the last third of the bill) at:
H.B. 170 Bill Documents - 2011 General Session
would not only ban sales of flavored smokeless tobacco and cigars, but also flavored e-cigarettes.

Unlike with analogs, at least with e cigs you can get unflavored juice and DIY. It would be pretty difficult for any gov. org to prevent that.

 

[afrazier5]

This has been presented on the agenda for tomorrow's committee meeting: http://le.utah.gov/~2011/agenda/HBUS0225.ag.htm

Just heard from CASAA on this - The bottom line is that, if they vote on this at the meeting (or second reading), it will go before the entire house for a third reading and passage. Then it has to go before the Senate. Will post more as soon as it's known.

 

[applefr3ak]

I also sent a mass e-mail to customers today asking for support and gave them info on where to send letters etc. people most likely wont be able to speak at this meeting.. but as many letters etc will help and i have some locals willing to head down as soon as we know when they will be able to speak.

 

[Vocalek]

All of the House members share a common telephone number and a common Fax number.

Phone
801-538-1029

Fax:
801-326-1544

Ask them to vote against HB 170 - TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCT AMENDMENTS

The proposed Amendments would reduce the effectiveness and restrict access to reduced harm alternatives to cigarette smoking.

 

[applefr3ak]

Thanks vocalek tweeting and fb

 

[Placebo Effect]

The hearing is not until 4 PM (6 PM Eastern), so please people, make those phone calls today.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Representative Ray has offered a substitute bill.

http://le.utah.gov/~2011/bills/hbillint/HB0170S01_ComparedWith_HB0170.pdf

Flavored chewing tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, cigarette tobacco, and pipe tobacco, are ALLOWED. This bill is a now direct attack on e-cigarettes.

ELIMINATES the provision requiring e-cigs to have a switch.

Gets rid of a goofy part of the bill that would have banned 18 year olds from selling tobacco products (smoking age of 19 in Utah)

The bill still bans flavors and mandates face-to-face sales.

 

[kristin]

Thanks Greg! Added updates to CASAA Call to Action page!

CASAA.org | Utah Call to Action!

 

[Cit-e Steamer]

I spoke with 4 legislators today ( + 7 voice mails) and two seem to really dislike this piece of legislation. Plus, 11 of the 14 committee members are Republicans.
I addition, I alerted each member to the CASAA letter and packet.

But, most importantly, this is a public hearing open to public comment. So, if there is anyone living in or near Salt Lake City, you have until 3:30PM MST (1/2 hour notice) to sign up to speak before the committee. If you need talking points, go to casaa.org and print out the Utah Call to Action page. If you need further assistance, please contact board@casaa.org.

 

[Jacinda222]

I will be there.

 

[JustJulie]

I will be there.

Woots!

Make sure to report back to let us know how it went.

One of THE most exciting and empowering things I've done was testifying at the Illinois hearing regarding a ban on e-cigs. I was surprised at how when vapers started telling their stories, some of the legislators actually listened . . . and they didn't recommend the bill out of committee.

Last year, Utah legislators listened, and the ban on e-cigs did not pass.

I feel confident that if people show up to speak to the legislators this afternoon, they'll listen . . . and the ban on flavors and requirement of face-to-face sales will not get out of committee.

GO, UTAH VAPERS!

 

[kristin]

Awesome!! Are you prepared for what you'll say or do you need some help?

I will be there.

 

[Placebo Effect]

Correction: Smokeless tobacco is still likely banned under this bill.

 

[Jacinda222]

I am really REALLY nervous about speaking--but I think if I don't and then the bill passes I will have serious regrets. So, I am gearing myself up.

I would welcome any suggestions. I've printed out the email I wrote to all of the committee members (what are the chances that any of them read it, do you think?) and I figure I'll use that as a guideline. Other than that I'll be winging it.