URGENT: STOP UTAH’S ATTACK ON E-CIGS!

If HB 112 is passed, overbearing regulations and paperwork nightmares could lead some companies to stop selling products to Utah retailers. Vape stores in Utah could be threatened with closures for not selling ‘approved’ products.Additionally, passage of HB 112 would set a dangerous precedent.  It could lead other states to pass bills setting entirely different manufacturing standards, which would increase the cost of our products significantly.

This bill would also strengthen Utah’s 100% prohibition on businesses within Utah selling ecigarettes to customers on the Internet or through the mail.  This provision has already led at least one Utah-based retailer to pack up and move his operations (and his tax dollars) to Idaho. More money will leave the state if this bill passes.    

As a company, we believe that ecigarettes are a smarter alternative for smokers to traditional cigarettes.  We oppose measures that could potentially stop us from selling our products to adults. We hope you would take this opportunity to educate your lawmakers that HB 112 does next to nothing to protect children, but instead will harm adult smokers and small businesses.

How You Can Help

The Utah House of Representatives will vote on HB 112 later this week and you can help stop it.  

As a consumer of ecigs, you know better than most that these products are NOT tobacco, are NOTHING like combustible cigarettes, and that cost and access to them are important to you.  YOUR story must be heard by the legislators to make positive change, so make sure your voice is heard!

Please consider taking a few minutes to reach out to the members of the Utah House of Representative by phone or e-mail.

Also be sure to reach out personally to your Utah State Representative and Senator with a direct e-mail or phone call to ask them to vote NO on HB 112. Find out who represents you here.  

Please be RESPECTFUL but firm and let the Representatives know:

• You would like them to vote NO on HB 112 because it hands wildly excessive powers to the Department of Health to set rules on electronic cigarette devices, batteries, battery chargers, component parts, etc. imported from other states.

• Tell your personal story on how switching to an e-cigarette has changed your life or the life of someone you love.  

• HB 112 would represent an unfunded mandate on the Utah Department of Health. The bill would require the agency to issue product standard regulations, but does not provide the department with the money necessary to hire experts or fight lawsuits.

• HB 112 is unlikely to survive a court challenge as a violation of the Interstate Commerce Clause.

• You oppose banning adults from purchasing electronic cigarettes on the Internet.  An online sales ban would result in smokers in rural parts of Utah being unable to purchase high-quality electronic cigarette products.

• The sponsor of HB 112, Rep. Paul Ray, sponsored legislation in 2009 to ban sales of electronic cigarettes to adults.  While he now claims to simply be concerned about children, HB 112 goes beyond preventing youth access and is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

• Sign the e-mail with your address so the representatives know they are hearing from Utah citizens.

Remember: An effective letter or phone call is short and to the point. Legislators receive many emails and phone calls each day. The most important thing is to respectfully communicate your opposition to ecigarette taxes and overbearing sales regulations. Please help save the State of Utah!

Copy and Paste Email List for the Utah House of Representatives:

rmenlove@le.utah.gov, dlifferth@le.utah.gov, jdraxler@le.utah.gov, eredd@le.utah.gov, curtwebb@le.utah.gov, janderegg@le.utah.gov, ryanwilcox@le.utah.gov, gfroerer@le.utah.gov, jeremyapeterson@le.utah.gov, dpitcher@le.utah.gov, bdee@le.utah.gov, rgreenwood@le.utah.gov, pray@le.utah.gov, coda@le.utah.gov, bradwilson@le.utah.gov, stevehandy@le.utah.gov, sbarlow@le.utah.gov, rogerbarrus@le.utah.gov, jimnielson@le.utah.gov, beckyedwards@le.utah.gov, dougsagers@le.utah.gov, sduckworth@le.utah.gov, jseelig@le.utah.gov, rchouck@le.utah.gov, jbriscoe@le.utah.gov, angelaromero@le.utah.gov, mikekennedy@le.utah.gov, briansking@le.utah.gov, leeperry@le.utah.gov, janicefisher@le.utah.gov, lwiley@le.utah.gov, lavarchristensen@le.utah.gov, chall@le.utah.gov, janderson34@le.utah.gov, markwheatley@le.utah.gov, parent@le.utah.gov, csmoss@le.utah.gov, ehutchings@le.utah.gov, jdunnigan@le.utah.gov, lhemingway@le.utah.gov, dmccay@le.utah.gov, jbird@le.utah.gov, earltanner@le.utah.gov, tcosgrove@le.utah.gov, seliason@le.utah.gov, mariepoulson@le.utah.gov, kivory@le.utah.gov, kstratton@le.utah.gov, rspendlove@le.utah.gov, rcunningham@le.utah.gov, greghughes@le.utah.gov, jknotwell@le.utah.gov, melbrown@le.utah.gov, kraigpowell@le.utah.gov, jmathis@le.utah.gov, kchristofferson@le.utah.gov, bgreene@le.utah.gov, jcox@le.utah.gov, vpeterson@le.utah.gov, dlayton@le.utah.gov, keithgrover@le.utah.gov, jstanard@le.utah.gov, dsanpei@le.utah.gov, blockhart@le.utah.gov, fgibson@le.utah.gov, mmckell@le.utah.gov, mroberts@le.utah.gov, mnelson@le.utah.gov, jerryanderson@le.utah.gov, kaymciff@le.utah.gov, blast@le.utah.gov, jwestwood@le.utah.gov, mnoel@kanab.net, vlsnow@le.utah.gov, dipson@le.utah.gov

Vapers looking to make phone calls to legislators urging NO votes on HB 112 can use this phone number directory.

For late breaking news on this legislation, please refer to this Action Alert, which will be updated. You can also follow the situation by liking the Utah Vapers Association on Facebook. Thank you for your time and consideration.