Status of Legislation to include e-cigarettes in California's clean indoor air law and youth access law (SB140)

Last year, in part because of lack of proactive support from the big health groups, a bill to include e-cigarettes in the state clean indoor air law was hijacked by behind-the-scenes lobbying by the big cigarette companies (for details, see out California report).
 
This year things are different.  As described below, the big health groups are working hard to support Senator Mark Leno’s SB140.  This is a very well-written bill that will make a substantial commitment to public health.
 
The fact that the bill is stuck in the Senate Appropriations Committee is strong evidence that the industry is fighting hard (as always, in the shadows), since this bill does not require appropriating any money.  Indeed, by improving health it will save money.
 
As Jim Knox notes below, there are also two bad bills that will help the industry.
 
I testified for SB140 in the Health Committee and urge others who support science-based public health to do what they can to help move this bill forward.
 
Here is Jim's briefing:
 
From: Jim Knox [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2015 7:12 PM
 
 
While it is important to support the Department’s strong stance on e-cigarettes, the more urgent need is to mobilize support for Senator Leno’s SB 140 which would require that they be regulated as a tobacco product. This bill would most comprehensively address the issues in the report and implement Dr. Chapman’s primary recommendation.  SB 140 is facing a difficult struggle in the Legislature – including competition from other bills (SB 24 – Hill, AB 216-Garcia) that would impair the effective regulation of e-cigarettes. If your organization is able to, and has not done so, I urge you to communicate your support of SB 140 bill to Senator Leno’s office. And, again - if you are able to, communicate with your constituents to urge them to contact their State Assemblymember and State Senator to support SB 140. The bill has passed the Senate Health Committee but is currently stuck in the Senate Appropriations Committee and faces a tough road ahead. I have attached a fact sheet for your information. If you have any questions on the bill, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
 
Thank you,  
 

Jim Knox | Vice President, Government Relations - California

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Inc.

980 9th Street Suite 2200

Sacramento, CA 95814-2742

Phone: 916.504.2478 | Mobile: 916.202.9715 | Fax: 916.447.6931