A bill to regulate the sale of electronic cigarettes in Utah was unanimously voted down by the Senate Business and Labor committee on Friday. This surprising turn of events left the bill’s sponsor Rep. Paul Ray “perplexed” and essentially prevents the bill from passing during the 2014 Legislature.
H.B 112 garnered a lot of support from state regulators up to this point, which is why it being postponed for further study and research left some confused. Others however are likely ecstatic, from the small businesses that could be negatively affected by the bill’s passing to the average vaper in Utah.
The Utah Vapors Association did show support the for the fourth version of the bill which did not include the provision calling for the state health department to regulate the manufacturing of e-cigarettes.
At first, the bill banned Internet sales, but both the fourth and eighth versions allowed for Internet, phone and mail sales as long as there was an age-verification mechanism.
Many local businesses support regulation of e-cigarette sales but fears continue to loom against “over regulation” which could hurt the 30+ vapor businesses in Utah that are growing with the estimated 2 billion dollar industry.
Find Out More
KSL – Ecig Bill Shelved Leaving Sponsor Perplexed
Deseret News – Senate Committee
Utah.Gov – H.B. 112