Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, McMahan, Lantz, Moeller, Ruderman, Cody, Pflug, Morrell, McDermott, Quall, Kenney, Rockefeller, Wood, Anderson, Kagi, Hunt, Campbell and Miloscia.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Distribution of samples of tobacco products to members of the public is prohibited.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 12 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Bailey, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller, Schual-Berke and Skinner.

A marketing technique used by cigarette makers is the distribution of free samples. The business of sampling is regulated by the Liquor Control Board. Upon payment of an annual fee, a sampler may distribute tobacco samples in authorized areas. These areas include: areas where children under the age of 18 are denied admission; in a store or concession to which a retailer's license has been issued; or at or adjacent to a production, repair, or outdoor construction site or facility. Samplers are prohibited from distributing samples within 500 feet of a playground, school, or other facility being used primarily by persons under 18 years of age.

Distribution of samples of tobacco products to members of the public is prohibited. Various provisions of the laws regulating this practice are deleted or repealed.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Providing free tobacco samples to the public results in addiction and greater health care costs. This practice should be banned.

Testified: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Mary Selecky, Department of Health; Dave Horn, Office of the Attorney General; Sarah Fisher and Ryan Lundquist, Teens Against Tobacco Use; Colin Jones, Public Health-Seattle King County; Mike O'Sullivan, American Cancer Society; Ivy Sager-Rosenthal, Washington Public Interest Research Group; and Nick Federici, American Lung Association of Washington.