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casaa cta flavor ban

Minnesota – [Concluded] Stop a Flavor Ban!

current status

Bill
Introduced

Passed
House

Passed
Senate

Signed by
Governor

02/17/21 – Public Hearing, 10:30 AM, Preventive Health Policy Division (remote) (meeting minutes)

– Returned to Health Finance and Policy 

02/08/21 – Introduction and First Reading

HF 904, which would ban the sale of vapor products in flavors other than tobacco, has been returned to the Health, Finance, and Policy Committee.

CASAA is tracking this bill and will update this alert as it moves toward a hearing.

What can you do today?
Please take a moment to make contact with your officials and urge them to REJECT HF 904 and its companion bill, SF 1271.

  • State that you are opposed to HF 904.
  • Feel free to add your story noting any changes in health you’ve experienced since switching to vaping.
  • Make sure you include where in Washington you live (preferably you are including your address, but, at the very least, your city/town should be fine).
  • Be brief, be kind, and say thank you 🙂

For those new to vaping or just generally unfamiliar with federal regulations, the premarket tobacco application (or PMTA) deadline was September 9, 2020. This application is required to keep or bring new tobacco/nicotine products on the market. It is estimated that 95% to 98% of vapor manufacturers will not be able to afford this process and will not be capable of filing on time.

 

But 98% is not 100% (as the antis are fond of saying).

 

The FDA has already approved some new tobacco products that are being sold in flavors other than tobacco (specifically mint, menthol, and wintergreen). In the weeks prior to the September deadline, the FDA accepted for review several applications for bottled e-liquid in flavors ranging from tobacco to cereal to fruit. Despite the rhetoric from certain members of congress and the incessant pro-drug war drum beat of tobacco prohibitionists, FDA is still capable of authorizing flavored smoke-free nicotine products for market. Moreover, FDA may even allow manufactures of these products to market them as safer than cigarettes, if they apply for and receive a modified risk order.

 

A flavor ban in Minnesota undermines any decision by FDA to allow low-risk flavored tobacco products on the market after having met the “appropriate for the protection of public health” standard. Even without involving the FDA, flavor bans are being enacted without thorough consideration of the negative consequences. Sales data from Massachusetts and New York suggest that many people who were vaping prior to the flavor bans simply returned to smoking. A similar outcome is being observed in San Francisco, the first major US city to pass a flavor ban targeting vapers.

 

While a flavor ban may amount to an inconvenience for teens who are experimenting with substance use, it is actively harming their parents who are trying to quit smoking and set a positive example for their children.

Read Full Bill Text

Companion Bill
SF 1271 - Flavor Ban

Did you see CASAA's alert about new taxes on vapor products in MN?

Take Action Now!

Minnesota Residents ONLY!

It is always a good time to reach out to your officials with concerns. Use the tool below to find their contact information and send them a message. Urge your lawmakers to Oppose HF 904 and its companion bill, SF 1271.

This alert will be updated with contact information for the House Health, Finance, and Policy Committee soon.

Committee Leadership

  • Chair – Michelle R. Benson, 31, R – 651-296-3219 – Use Mail Form
  • Vice Chair – Rich Draheim, 20, R – 651-296-5558 – sen.rich.draheim@senate.m
  • Ranking Minority Member – Melissa H. Wiklund, 50, DFL – 651-297-8061 – sen.melissa.wiklund@senate.mn

Committee Members

LEGISLATOR LOOKUP