HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1937

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed Legislature

Title: An act relating to prohibiting a person from selling or giving a vapor product designed solely for smoking or ingesting tobacco to a minor.

Brief Description: Prohibiting a person from selling or giving a vapor product designed solely for smoking or ingesting tobacco to a minor.

Sponsors: Representatives Ross, Jinkins, Angel, Green, Harris, Cody, Morrell, Hope, Ryu, Schmick and Moscoso.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Government Accountability & Oversight: 2/21/13 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/5/13, 96-0.

Passed Senate: 4/11/13, 46-1.

Passed Legislature.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Adds "vapor products" to the list of tobacco-related products that if sold or given to a person under the age of 18 makes the seller or giver guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY & OVERSIGHT

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Hurst, Chair; Condotta, Ranking Minority Member; Holy, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Kirby, Moscoso, Shea and Smith.

Staff: Thamas Osborn (786-7129).

Background:

A person is guilty of a gross misdemeanor if he or she participates in the selling or giving to a person under 18 years of age any type of tobacco-related product, including the following:

In recent years a new smoking product (vapor product) has been introduced that, generally, has the appearance of a cigarette and functions as a means of inhaling vapor that contains nicotine. However, unlike a cigarette, this vapor product neither contains tobacco nor involves combustion. Rather, it is a battery powered electronic device that heats a liquid nicotine solution, thus generating nicotine-laced vapor that can be inhaled by the user.

Summary of Bill:

"Vapor products" are added to the list of tobacco-related products that if sold or given to a person under the age of 18 makes the seller or giver guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This is a commons sense piece of legislation that serves public safety. "Vapor products" are a form of drug delivery system that provides the user with a dose of nicotine. It should be regulated like other tobacco products since it is a device that serves the same function as a cigarette.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: T.K. Bentler, R.J. Reynolds Tobacco.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.