Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
04/03/2017 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Confirmation Hearings | |
| SB16 | |
| SB15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | SB 16 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 15-E-CIGS: SALE TO AND POSSESSION BY MINOR
2:39:30 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of SB 15 and noted
that the intent is to take public testimony. He listed the
individuals who were available to answer questions.
2:41:38 PM
TERRENCE ROBBINS, representing himself, Ketchikan, Alaska,
testified in strong support of SB 15. He said it will reduce
youth access to nicotine by raising the age to purchase e-
cigarettes to age 19. Youth are drawn to flavored nicotine
products such as e-cigarettes making them susceptible to
addiction. A 2015 youth survey by the American Medical
Association showed that 81 percent of youth users of e-
cigarettes started with a flavored tobacco product. He said that
paring that with the Surgeon General report that states that 90
percent of current smokers became addicted before age 18, you
can see why it is important to limit youth access to nicotine.
He reported that he started using flavored chewing tobacco at
age 13 and continued for the next 27 years.
2:43:27 PM
ALYSSA KEILL, representing herself, Fairbanks, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 15. She is a swim coach of school age children
and she doesn't believe that youth benefit from easy access to
electronic smoking devices. Furthermore, they don't understand
that these products are no less harmful than other tobacco
products.
2:44:10 PM
BETTY MACTAVISH, American Lung Association of AK/ACSCAN, Kodiak,
Alaska, testified in support of SB 15. She spoke of the Surgeon
General report; the health effects of inhaling particles that
contain nickel, tin, and lead; and the effects of nicotine on
the developing brain. She said youth in her community are using
e-products in increasing numbers. Reports from school police
officers indicate that youth are mixing e-juice with marijuana.
She stated that she has found no one in the community of Kodiak
who is opposed to the bill. Even retailers do not believe that
e-cigarettes should be sold to minors.
2:46:20 PM
KRISTIN COX, representing herself, Juneau, Alaska, testified in
support of SB 15. She opined that it is appropriate to include
e-cigarettes under the tobacco retail license. Allowing local
control will help protect youth. She reported that in 1995 the
Alaska youth smoking rate was 37 percent and the rate of stores
selling tobacco to minors was 34 percent. Since the state
implemented the statewide local enforcement program, the rate of
stores selling to minors has decreased to 7 percent and the rate
of youth smoking has decreased by 70 percent. She expressed
great concern that the tobacco industry is targeting youth with
its marketing and candy-flavored e-products.
2:48:15 PM
NOEL CROWLEY BELL, representing herself, Palmer, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 15. She expressed concern about the
rising use of electronic cigarettes and the unrestricted
marketing that resonates particularly to youth. Signage at
retail shops barring the entrance of persons under age 19 does
not seem to stem the use by youth. SB 15 will address the
problem by dealing with how and where youth are accessing these
devices. She noted the Surgeon General report that warns that
youth are particularly vulnerable to the long-term consequences
of brain exposure to nicotine. It concludes that the use of
nicotine in any form is unsafe for youth.
2:51:14 PM
LOGAN DANIELS-ENGEVOLD, representing himself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 15. He stated that during high school
he saw many classmates who missed a lot of great opportunities
because they used e-products. "If there is no repercussion for
sale, then there is no reason to stop," he said.
2:52:09 PM
STEVEN MAPES, representing himself, Kenai, Alaska, testified in
opposition to SB 15. He said he owns Mapes Vapes and is a member
of SFATA (Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association). He
described the bill as redundant, expensive for the state, and
unnecessary. He maintained that the FDA regulations pertaining
to personal vaporizers and electronic smoking devices and
nicotine products address the age requirements for sales of
nicotine devices and products in all states. He said he has
helped 312 adults to stop using tobacco products. He asserted
that electronic devices are a healthy alternative to smoking for
adults. He expressed concern that the wording in the bill allows
parents and guardians to purchase nicotine products for minors
under their supervision. He warned that SB 15 will cost the
state money.
2:54:57 PM
ALEX MCDONALD, representing himself, Fairbanks, Alaska,
testified in opposition to SB 15. He owns Ice Fog Vapor and is a
member of the Smoke Free Alternative Trade Association (SFATA).
He expressed concern that the bill allows a parent or guardian
to provide e-cigarettes to a minor under their supervision. He
questioned how this would be enforced and recommended removing
that provision. He also expressed concern that the federal
regulations deeming all vapor products and components tobacco
products includes such things as cotton, wire, and batteries. He
also asserted that the federal regulations make this bill
redundant. He discussed a 12/16/16 memo to Stacy Toner and
recommended that the state wait to see if vaping is included in
the SYNAR block grant requirements before moving forward with
the legislation.
2:58:16 PM
BEVERLY LARSON, representing herself, Anchorage, Alaska,
testified in support of SB 15. She is a high school student who
sees many kids her age buy e-products. Access is quite easy.
They are tobacco products and she believes they should be
treated as such. She voiced support for weeding out retail shops
that are breaking the law by selling to minors.
2:59:36 PM
EMILY NENON, Alaska Government Relations Director, American
Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Juneau, Alaska, testified
in support of SB 15. She recounted the efforts starting in 2003
to prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors. The penalties
were increased to suspend the sales license endorsement. In 2003
the rate of tobacco sales to youth was 30 percent. The next year
when the penalties for noncompliance were in place the rate
dropped to 10.2 percent. The current statewide rate of sales of
tobacco products to youth is close to 6 percent.
She said the recent survey of vape shops around the state shows
that over 26 percent of e-cigarette shops sold to minors. In
Anchorage, half of the vape shops that were surveyed sold e-
cigarettes to youth. Convenience stores and other tobacco
retailers that are accustomed to compliance checks sold to youth
at a rate of 2.3 percent. She said it has been demonstrated over
the years that the low rate of sales to youth is the result of
the penalties. She said, "It's the suspension of the sales
license endorsement that really makes the difference." The civil
penalties the FDA provides are comparatively light.
MS. NENON said the nicotine in electronic cigarettes is not the
only concern. The CDC fact sheet states that in addition to
nicotine, electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) aerosols
contain heavy metals, ultra-fine particulate, and cancer-causing
agents. They also contain propylene glycol, glycerin, or
flavorings. Some of the manufacturers claim that the latter are
safe because they meet the FDA definition of "generally
recognized as safe." However, that designation does not apply to
inhalation.
CHAIR COGHILL held SB 15 in committee with public testimony
open.