Not Just Electronic Cigarette Ban But Complete Veto Demanded In Rhode Island
Antismoking groups are supposed to be seen supporting electronic cigarette ban on minors, but in Rhode Island, the group demands and calls for veto. A bill was passed by the state’s lawmakers in July 1, exactly two days before the end of General Assembly 2013 session. This bill prohibits anyone under 18 years old from buying and/or using electronic cigarettes and other vapor products that supposedly heat nicotine to make it vapor.
Stalking Horse Bill
One might expect that antismoking groups would support such legislation, but an association composed of the state’s biggest health advocacy groups contested, stating that this bill is just the stalking horse for electronic cigarette and tobacco companies who merely want to exempt the industry from impending regulations and taxes. According to the coalition, this electronic cigarette ban for minors is not clear on how Rhode Island will impose this new law. A proven violator would be fined $500. The group also contested that minors would simply purchase online if brick and mortar stores would not cater to them. In Rhode Island, many companies actually perform business through online means.
Also, federal regulators are still doing research on the health risks of the devices; this electronic cigarette ban would most likely just cause regulatory loopholes that would have national and long-term effects.
Rhode Island Tobacco Control Network is the coalition that consists of American Cancer Society, American Lung Association, American Heart Association and more. Its director is Karina Holyoak Wood and according to her the bill has no teeth. What the legislators are trying to do is give a light treatment on electronic cigarette industry while appearing as if they were protecting the welfare of children.
Unfounded Concerns
Companies of electronic cigarettes, however, say that the group’s concerns are groundless. Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association is a non-profit group advocating electronic cigarettes and other smokeless alternatives. Its legislative director Gregory Conley said that it is quite unfortunate that these groups are opposing the bill.
John Hogan, director of RJ Reynolds Tobacco’s government relations also agreed that there is no argument that favors this veto. Hogan said that what is important in the end is that the state is enacting a legislation to keep minors away from the products not meant for them.
Spokeswoman for Governor Chafee Christine Hunsinger said that the bill is still under evaluation. It was not officially sent to the governor’s office as of last Tuesday and he was given six days to sign this. He may also choose to veto it or allow it to be a law even with no signature of his.
Once the bill is approved, the state will become one among the other states that have implemented electronic cigarette ban on minors. For only less than one year, these products have already received immense popularity. Nonetheless, they are still not covered by any federal law so what each state, like Rhode Island, does is to enact a law that will define what these products are.
Electronic Cigarettes Considered As Tobacco Products
In other nine states, such as New Hampshire and Vermont, the definition of tobacco products has been revised so that it will include electronic cigarettes and other similar products. Thus, the products were subjected to the same regulations, licensing and taxes imposed on tobacco. Such moves are consistent with the plan of US FDA on what it considers for electronic cigarettes. Yet, it electronic cigarettes happen to have their own regulations specific to their nature, they will be placed under a new category: as vapor products, which is now being used in states like Arizona, Washington, Missouri, North and South Carolina. Some states just refer to them as electronic cigarettes or alternative nicotine products.
Approval From Vendors
Vendors of electronic cigarettes in Rhode Island said that this electronic cigarette ban will not hurt their business. They also opposed what other groups claim that they are targeting the youth through different exciting flavors of juices. Lisa Ciarlone is the founder of the electronic cigarette based in Pawtucket, Vaporetti. She agrees with what various states are starting to do to protect the minors while there is still no federal policy that covers electronic cigarettes.
According to Louis Del Sesto of a Barrington-based store, ECIG Shed, he believes on what the products can do. He knows that electronic cigarettes are healthier as compared to tobacco cigarettes. They have no tobacco, but delivers nicotine. They must not be heavily taxed or regulated like tobacco products. In fact, he also said that he got in the business of selling electronic cigarettes because it helped him quit. He was a smoker and admits that his habit placed his lungs in bad condition that they produced sounds similar to Pop Rocks Candy. His smoking habit made him wheeze, woke up his wife at nights and essentially killed him.
Still, the new RI law is opposed by skeptics, saying that the law is simply a botch and contains no form. They believe that it is all just a masquerade pretending to protect the children and later on the law in RI would be changed to protect the electronic cigarette industry and the sales they are generating. Thus, in the end, the RI bill would only just cause more harm instead of the good cause it was intended for.
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