Recently, according to a report from Fox 56 news, the Kentucky House of Representatives passed a bill aimed at combating the illegal sale of electronic cigarettes and their influx into the market. The new legislation aims to tackle the “epidemic of e-cigarettes” in the state, particularly targeting the widespread use of vaping among students in schools.
Rebecca Raymer, a Republican lawmaker and one of the main advocates of the bill, stated, “Through extensive research into this issue, I have found that the majority of confiscated e-cigarettes are flavored disposable vapes. What surprised me is that many of these e-cigarettes are being sold without authorization.” This was her statement following the passage of the bill.
The new bill passed with a vote of 62 to 26 and will now proceed to the Senate for consideration. It’s noteworthy that Republicans hold an absolute majority in both chambers of the legislature.
The legislation aims to remove unauthorized electronic cigarettes, vaporizers, and other tobacco products from stores in Kentucky. Businesses in the state are required to confirm whether they engage in retail sales of tobacco products when submitting commercial filings with the Secretary of State’s office. This list will be forwarded to Kentucky’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which oversees the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
The legal minimum age to purchase smoking products in Kentucky is 21. Under the bill, retailers found in violation for the first time will face fines ranging from $100 to $500. For second violations, fines will increase to $1,000; and for third violations and beyond, fines will be $5,000. The legislation also includes fines for wholesalers and manufacturers suspected of distributing unauthorized tobacco products.
Raymer stated in a Monday statement, “This measure strikes a balance between the demand of Kentucky consumers for FDA-certified products and our obligation to safeguard public health and keep harmful e-cigarette components out of stores and away from our children.”
However, the proposal faced sharp criticism from Representative Savannah Maddox during the House debate, who argued that it would ban products used by adults in Kentucky and predicted strong public opposition to the bill.
Raymer responded, saying that the bill is intended to be crafted within the regulatory authority of the FDA. “I am not a fan of government overreach,” Raymer said. “But the fact is, we are not the regulatory body for these products; the FDA is. That’s been authorized by our elected representatives through Congress.”
