HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 5597
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to protecting the health of minors by prohibiting tobacco product sampling.
Brief Description: Prohibiting tobacco product sampling.
Sponsors: Senators Oke, T. Sheldon, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Carlson, Shin, Winsley, Spanel, Kline, Regala, Haugen, Jacobsen, Poulsen, B. Sheldon, Stevens, Keiser, Kohl-Welles and Rasmussen.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/19/04, 2/27/04 [DPA].
Brief Summary of Bill (As Amended by House Committee) |
• Distribution of samples of tobacco products is restricted to 21 and over locations. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 11 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Campbell, Clibborn, Darneille, Moeller, Rodne, Schual-Berke and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
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.
Summary of Amended Bill:
Distribution of samples of tobacco products to members of the public is prohibited in any place other than a 21 and over location.
Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:
Tobacco samples may be distributed in 21 and over locations only. The total ban on tobacco sampling is deleted.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: Children need to be protected from exposure to tobacco products. Tobacco sampling is a tool to get new consumers for tobacco products. Children have gotten tobacco products from tobacco sampling events.
Testimony Against: None.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Oke, prime sponsor; Mary Selecky, Department of Health; Ryan Lundquist, Gig Harbor High School Student; and Mike O'Sullivan, American Cancer Society.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: (In support) Nick Federici, American Lung Association of Washington.