To: Rep. Perry, L.,
Subject: HB-112
Date: 2014-02-24T03:31:59Z
Body:
Dear Representative:
I am asking you to vote Yes on HB-112. I support this bill because I feel that something must be done in legislation to protect children from the e-cigarette epidemic. You know the facts about the substantial rise in usage among youth. This law will help regulate this specific industry and will ensure those who sell these products are licensed. The requirement to be licensed will also allow local health agencies to monitor sales and restrict licensing privileges if sales are done to minors. HB-112 is about preventing youth access to an addictive tobacco product. Based on UDOH and CDC data: 1. Kids’s use of e-cigarettes in Utah has tripled from 2011 to 2013 (while rest of the country has only doubled) 2. Despite having no legal access to e-cigarettes, Utah youth are three times more likely to report current use than adults. 3. Nearly one-third of Utah youth who use e-cigarettes report that they never tried conventional cigarettes. 4. E-cigarettes are the preferred tobacco products for Utah kids. In some areas, as many as 20% of children use e-cigarettes regularly. 5. All the major cigarette companies are now in the e-cigarette business. Our kids deserve to not be targeted by the tobacco industry with products that are designed to addict children. Please help protect Utah kids by voting YES on HB-112 to require a retail license for e-cigarettes sales and product standards for these currently unregulated, addictive products. Sincerely, Kelly Guymon State Delegate