How You Can Help Hold Big Tobacco Accountable
Nearly 20 years ago, a U.S. Federal District judge found that the major cigarette manufacturers violated civil racketeering laws for deliberately defrauding the public.
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Issue Update - E-Cigarettes
April 23, 2014
Issue Update – E-cigarettes
House Bill 169 and Senate Bill 224
Nicotine Dispensing Devices
We have an exciting update to share with all of you! Our hard work and dedication has paid off.
Yesterday, during the floor debate on the e-cigarette bills (HB 169 and SB 224) an amendment was adopted that stripped out the last of the dangerous preemption language, thereby protecting local control for both tobacco products and e-cigarettes! The amendment passed with a vote of 72 to 46. If you would like to see how your member voted, click here. Every single call you made and email you sent helped to secure this victory!
As reported by News Service Florida, the House sponsor, Representative Frank Artiles (R-Miami), offered an amendment that did not include the prohibition on local regulation of tobacco products. Members of the House then voted to approve another amendment, offered by Representative Bill Hager (R- Boca Raton), which eliminated the prohibition of new local ordinances on sales of e-cigarettes.
Very special thanks are in order for Representatives Bill Hager, who was the amendment sponsor as well as Debbie Mayfield (R- Vero Beach) and Jim Waldman (D- Coconut Creek) who helped rally members to vote in favor of the amendment. They are all truly champions for our cause!
Remember: This is not the finish line. The Legislative Session isn’t over until May 2nd and a lot can happen between now and then. Stay tuned for more developments as we inch closer to the final days.
For now, thank you for all of your efforts in the fight to keep our kids tobacco free! You are making a difference!
Yours in the fight,
Heather
Heather Youmans
Florida Government Relations Director
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
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