In a new bill filed by Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile, new standards would be put into place for businesses selling vapes, specifically requiring gas stations and other retailers to purchase licenses to sell those products. It would also put in programs to deter tobacco exposure to students.
“I’m a Sunday School teacher,” Drummond said. “And, one of my kids was sucking on what I thought was a zip drive. And it was a vape pipe.”
Drummond said kids as young as third grade are allegedly getting their hands on these vapes. Additionally, she said that revenue would go towards the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to check stores, making sure only legal products are sold.
“See, a lot of products are coming out of China, and Mexico,” she said. “And, you don’t know what’s in them. You’ve got formaldehyde, all kinds of chemicals that are in them. So, this will give us an opportunity to regulate them.”
That regulation comes in the form of a registry with the Department of Revenue. Drummond explained a registry is used to vet products that are sold in stores, and make sure they are not illegal. Besides regulation, the bill also requires schools to teach students about the harms of vaping.
However, Molly Cole with the Alabama Hemp and Vape Association said the regulations would restrict those people who use the products as an alternative to tobacco.
“You’re really taking away choice from people that need to be able to have access to this,” Cole said. “Because, otherwise, they’re gonna go back to tobacco cigarettes, they’re gonna go back to the dip products.”
Rep. Russell Bedsole, R-Alabaster, believes there should be stronger regulations on the products.
“I’m not sure if it’s the right ‘vehicle’ if I’m being honest,” Bedsole said. “I would like to see this legislative body take a firmer stance- try to limit the locations in which vapes are available.”
Drummond said the bill is not restrictive; it’s about protecting children and making sure parents know what is available to their children.
“They need to go into these facilities and see what’s being sold on the shelves, so that they can know and be abreast of what their children are facing,” she said.
The bill passed in the House and will now heads to the Senate for a committee vote.
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