The vapor industry in Virginia needs your help to continue fighting against the Altria-sponsored HB1069 and SB550. Crossover (House bills go to Senate and Senate bills go the House to be heard and voted on) begins on Wednesday morning. This is our big push to target Committee members with emails and phone calls!!
HOUSE Legislators to Reach Out To:
Krizek (Chair), Sickles, McQuinn, Sewell, Askew, Knight, Austin, Wyatt, Torian, Bulova, Carr, Hayes, Reid, Rasoul, Willett,
Morefield, Bloxom, Marshall, Hodges, Coyner, Wyatt, Wiley, Campbell
HB1069 Talking Points (please summarize in your own words):
- does not curb youth access to vapor products
- does not regulate the retail sale of tobacco and nicotine vapor products
- does not address the barriers of information transfer between the FDA and the Office of Attorney General (OAG). State agencies cannot verify that a PMTA application is still pending or not due to commercial data and privacy concerns. Therefore, creating great confusion for consumers and business owners.
- does serve Big Tobacco and will drive adults back to smoking cigarettes
- does create a wasteful spend of taxpayer money by creating a confusion, duplicative registry system which has already been overturned in 3 states with similar law
- Support HB790 that actually regulates the retail sale of vape and tobacco products and will help keep these products out of the hands of kids
SENATE Legislators to Reach Out To:
Lucas(Chair), Deeds, Locke, Marsden, McDougle, Obenshain, Stuart, Reeves, Favola,
Surovell, McPike, Boysko, Pillion, Hashmi
SB 550 Talking Points (please summarize in your own words)
- does not curb youth access to vapor products
- does not regulate the retail sale of tobacco and nicotine vapor products
- does not address the barriers of information transfer between the FDA and the Office of Attorney General (OAG). State agencies cannot verify that a PMTA application is still pending or not due to commercial data and privacy concerns. Therefore, creating great confusion for consumers and business owners.
- does serve Big Tobacco and will drive adults back to smoking cigarettes
- does create a wasteful spend of taxpayer money by creating a confusion, duplicative registry system which has already been overturned in 3 states with similar law
- Support SB582 that actually regulates the retail sale of vape and tobacco products and will help keep these products out of the hands of kids
What Can You Do To Help?
1. Reach out to the legislators above. Click on the names above to gain access to their contact information. Pick up the phones and send emails! PLEASE be courteous and professional! We want them to take us seriously and to understand we are not the problem!
2. Consider supporting the Virginia Smoke Free Association. They have an active lobby team fighting hard for our industry. You can join as a member or submit a one time donation. Every dollar helps us continue this fight! https://www.virginiasmokefree.org/become-a-member/
