SB 15-E-CIGS: SALE TO AND POSSESSION BY MINOR  2:06:57 PM CHAIR COGHILL reconvened the meeting and announced the consideration of CSSB 15(L&C). He welcomed Senator Stevens. 2:07:20 PM SENATOR STEVENS, Alaska State Legislature, sponsor of SB 15, stated that this legislation seeks to prohibit the possession, sale, and exchange of electronic smoking devices to persons under age 19. 2:08:00 PM TIM LAMKIN, Staff, Senator Gary Stevens, Alaska State Legislature, introduced SB 15 on behalf of the sponsor. He gave a slide show of the origins of e-cigarettes as well as the styles, brands, flavorings, and components. He said the bill is about protecting youth from the burgeoning fad of smoking electronic cigarettes, also called vaping. There are over 500 varieties of this product on the market in the U.S. and they are replacing traditional cigarettes. They are sleek, clean, discrete, and relatively inexpensive. He said you'll hear testimony that everyone wants to keep these products out of the hands of youth, but they are already in their hands. He said you will hear that some people have found e-cigarettes to be a miracle in helping them quit smoking traditional cigarettes. That may be true, but youths are the target of this bill and whether they ought to have access to these products. MR. LAMKIN said you'll hear that e-cigarettes are harmless, but there is little conclusive evidence as to their long-term effects on health. Some people maintain that e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine. While that may or may not be true, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said these products should be treated as a tobacco product for regulatory purposes. They function and mimic traditional smoking. Some people maintain that e-cigarettes do not contain nicotine, but that has not been proven. There is no current mechanism to regulate how they are labeled, marketed, or what they contain. MR. LAMKIN said SB 15 is about closing a loophole. Right now, it is illegal for a minor to purchase e-products, but it is not illegal to possess them. The question is that if you agree that tobacco products are appropriately restricted from youth, should e-products be similarly restricted, so we can take them out of students' hands. CHAIR COGHILL listed the individuals available to answer questions. 2:13:33 PM SENATOR COSTELLO asked if the behavioral risk factor survey asks if young people are using e-cigarettes. If so, is the research available and if not, will it be added to the survey. MR. LAMKIN said he is waiting to receive that data. CHAIR COGHILL asked Ms. Muse to address the question. 2:14:22 PM ELIZA MUSE, Deputy Program Manager, Tobacco Program, Division of Public Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) explained that high school students participate in the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey every two years. The first time the survey included a question about electronic cigarette use in Alaska was in 2015. The survey showed that 36 percent of high school students had tried electronic cigarettes and 18 percent were currently using them. The 2017 survey is in process, so the results are not available. SENATOR COSTELLO asked how that compares to the use of traditional cigarettes. MS. MUSE said 11 percent of high school students smoke traditional cigarettes; the difference between the two is statistically significant. 2:16:11 PM SENATOR KELLY commented that the slide show demonstrates good marketing. CHAIR COGHILL added that the marketing obviously targets the younger audience. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI observed that the definition of "electronic smoking product" in Section 10 is so broad it could potentially include an inhaler for asthma. He suggested talking to legislative legal about tightening the language. MR. LAMKIN said that definition was carefully crafted. It borrows language from programs in other states. These products are changing quickly, and the definition tries to encapsulate everything that could arguably have an adverse effect. 2:18:55 PM SENATOR MEYER asked how tobacco is handled in prisons because Section 1 exempts prisoners in an adult correctional facility from the e-cigarette possession prohibition. MR. LAMKIN clarified that AS 11.76.105 regarding possession of tobacco by a minor is existing law. He deferred to a corrections representative to discuss how tobacco use is handled in prisons. SENATOR MEYER indicated he was satisfied. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI directed attention to the language in Section 6, paragraph (3), about maintaining a vending machine that dispenses electronic smoking products and the language in the new subsection (f) in Section 9 that talks about maintaining a vending machine. He asked if language should be added to paragraph (3) in Section 6 that says, "under circumstances not addressed in subsection (f)" in Section 9 of the bill. MR. LAMKIN explained that AS 11.76.109(a), relating to selling or giving product containing nicotine to a minor, was initially intended to address nicotine gum and patches. SB 15 seeks to apply the same rules to electronic smoking products to any place in statute that references cigarettes sold in a vending machine. "It's attempting to close a loophole and be [as] inclusive as possible." CHAIR COGHILL observed that the bill makes the delivery systems for electronic smoking products and the products themselves illegal for minors. MR. LAMKIN confirmed that is correct. He drew an analogy to illegal fishing; the fish warden looks at the tackle and the bait separately and together when considering illegal activity. CHAIR COGHILL asked if the delivery systems have any other legitimate purpose. He said he didn't want the penalty for possession of the hardware to be the same as the penalty for possession of both the product and the hardware. 2:25:14 PM MR. LAMKIN responded that it was a challenge to develop a definition that encompassed both open and closed delivery systems. The former can be dismantled to replace the nicotine or other substance, whereas closed systems are a single, generally disposable, unit. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if there has been any talk about establishing a threshold that is intended by the phrase "products containing nicotine." MR. LAMKIN said that's an option but whether it will affect youth behavior in a meaningful way is another question. SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he didn't want to ban smoking a substance that isn't intended because there are trace amounts of nicotine in any number of products, including tomatoes. 2:28:34 PM CHAIR COGHILL said he is open to regulating the delivery system because he has yet to hear that they are beneficial. MR. LAMKIN said there are people who smoked for decades who argue that e-cigarettes are an effective tobacco cessation product. He restated that the bill is not about older smokers, it only targets youth. 2:30:17 PM MR. LAMKIN provided a sectional analysis for SB 15, version R, speaking to the following summary: Section 1: AS 11.76.IOS(a) Adds to existing law that, as with prohibiting minors from possessing cigarettes or tobacco, to also prohibit possession of electronic cigarettes and any component thereof. Section 2: AS 11.76.105(c) Extends an existing exception for possession by minor of a tobacco product, to include E cigarettes possession, provided the minor is using an e cigarette for an approved medical purpose, such as smoking cessation, and is provided by a parent or prescribed by a doctor. Section 3: AS ll.76.106(a) Adds to existing law that, as with controlling access to and sale of tobacco products to minors (that is, "behind the counter"), that E Cigarettes access also be controlled and restricted in a like manner. Section 4: AS ll.76.106(b) Extends an existing exception to clerk-controlled access to tobacco or E Cigarette products sold through a vending machine, which are covered in the next section. Section 5: AS ll.76.107(a) Adds to existing law that, as with tobacco product vending machines, vending machines dispensing electronic cigarette or nicotine products must also be supervised. Section 6: AS ll.76.109(a) Adds to existing law prohibiting the sale of nicotine products and electronic cigarettes, or any related component thereof, to a minor under 19 years old. Section 7: AS ll.76.109(b) Extends an existing exception for minor possession of a nicotine product, to include E-cigarettes possession, provided the minor is using an E-cigarette for an approved medical purpose, such as smoking cessation, and is provided by a parent or prescribed by a doctor. Section 8: AS ll.76.109(e) Extends the existing fine of at least $300 for selling nicotine products to minors, to include selling E-cigarette products. Section 9: AS 11.76.109(£) adds a new subsection that is consistent with existing law regarding placement of vending machines dispensing tobacco products; that the same requirements are applied to vending machines dispensing E-cigarette or nicotine products. Section 10: AS ll.81.900(b) Establishes a definition for "electronic smoking product," summarized as follows: (67) (A) a device designed to aerosolize and inhale nicotine, a synthetic of nicotine, or another substance that "'may have an adverse effect" on the person inhaling from the device; [basically, the hardware] and (B) the accompanying compounds, oils, vapor fluids, chemicals, or agents intended to be aerosolized and inhaled in conjunction with the device. Section 11: AS 43.50.070(a) Adds enforcement provision for the state to suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a business for violating provisions relating to selling E-cigarette products to minors. Section 12: AS 43.50.105(b) is amended for conformity and consolidation, changing "tobacco" endorsement to "business license" endorsement, for purposes of shipping or transport of cigarettes. It also sets up conformity for the following Section 8 of the bill, relating to a required business license endorsement for selling E-cigarette or nicotine products. The effect is that existing tobacco license endorsement holders may also sell E-cigarette products, and eliminates a need for the state to establish a separate database for vendors only selling only E Cigarette products (and not tobacco), thus reducing fiscal costs of implementation. Section 13: AS 43.70.075(a) amends existing law requiring a special business license endorsement in order to lawfully sell tobacco products for each location the products are sold, by including the same license endorsement requirements for lawfully selling E-cigarette or nicotine products, an endorsement for each location. Section 14: AS 43.70.075(d) amends existing law relating to selling tobacco to minors, by adding the same penalty provisions, including graduated fines, for selling E-cigarette or nicotine products to minors. Following repeated convictions within a 2- year period, civil fines are structured as follows: 1st offense: a civil penalty of $1,000 (from $300) 2nd offense: a civil penalty of $2,000 (from $500) 3rd offense: a civil penalty of $4,000 (from $1,000) After 3 convictions: suspend license indefinitely (from I-year) and a civil penalty of $10,000 (from $2,500) Section 15: AS 43.70.075(f) amends existing law requiring signage when selling tobacco products, to also require signage for selling E-cigarette or nicotine products. The signage must read "The sale of electronic smoking products or products containing nicotine to a person under the age of 19 without a prescription is illegal." Signage must be 8.5 inches by 11 inches, which is a change to make sign design and printing more efficient for both the state and vendors. Section 16: AS 43.70.075(i) amends existing enforcement provisions that, as with tobacco sales, to allow the State to seize and destroy a vendor's inventory of E-cigarette or nicotine products in the event violating the law prohibiting sales of those products to minors. Section 17: AS 43.70.075(l) is amended for conformity that, as with tobacco sales, to allow one business license endorsement to serve as an umbrella if a vendor has multiple locations they are selling E-cigarette or nicotine products, and to shut down only the offending vending machine or outlet location in the event of a violation. Sections 18-23: AS 43.70.075(m), (r), (t), (v), (w), and (x) are amended for conformity that, as with tobacco sales, to allow an evidentiary and administrative hearing, appeal process, and penalties in the event of violations of these statutes, involving the sale of £-cigarette or nicotine products to minors. Section 24: AS 43.70.IOS(b) is amended for conformity that, as with tobacco products, a vendor must have the appropriate business license endorsement in order to lawfully sell E cigarette or nicotine products. Section 25: AS 43.70.110 is added for conformity, linking the definitions of "electronic smoking products," and distinguishing between traditional cigarette (tobacco) products and other modern nicotine alternatives. Section 26: AS 44.29.092 is amended for conformity that, as with tobacco sales, providing the Dept. of Health and Social Services the authority to issue citations for violating state law regarding minors buying, selling or possessing E cigarette or nicotine products. Section 27: Is the applicability and effective date, applying to offenses committed only after the effective date of the bill, which would be 90 days after the bill is enacted MR. LAMKIN noted that there is a request for an effective date on January 1, 2018. 2:39:37 PM MARGE STONEKING, Executive Director, American Lung Association in Alaska, testified in support of SB 15. She said e-cigarettes represent the long evolution of tobacco products in the US. They are following the same patterns as conventional cigarettes, particularly relating to youths. Electronic smoking products have been in this country for about a decade and just three months ago the surgeon general issued a report that said there is no safe level of nicotine for youth and that all the same policies and effective programs that work to reduce the rates of youth tobacco use should be applied to e-cigarettes and vape products. That includes retail licensure and underage sales enforcement, both of which are addressed in this bill, she said. SB 15 brings electronic vapor products under the very effective youth tobacco enforcement program. It is one of the most effective programs in the country with regards to retail licensure and underage sales enforcement. She clarified that the surgeon general report is a meta-analysis, which means that any research that has been done that is related to youth and e- cigarettes or nicotine use is referenced in the report. CHAIR COGHILL summarized that the bill would move e-products behind the counter and provide the same enforcement and sting capacity as for traditional tobacco products. MS. STONEKING said that's correct. She added that the underage tobacco enforcement team conducted a survey of vape shops regarding underage sales. The survey found that one-third of vapor retailers around the state are selling to youths and in Anchorage fifty percent are selling to youth. CHAIR COGHILL observed that the difference is that someone could buy vaping products on the internet but not tobacco. He asked if other states have addressed that issue. MS. STONEKING said she didn't have conclusive information but it makes sense to her to clean up what is within Alaska's jurisdiction first. CHAIR COGHILL said it may be that having a stamp or endorsement would be the only management tool. MS. STONEKING voiced support for taxing the products as a means of discouraging youth use. 2:44:58 PM SENATOR COSTELLO asked what her preference is for an effective date. MS. STONEKING deferred the question to Joe Darnell. JOE DARNELL, Investigator, Tobacco Section, Division of Behavioral Health, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Anchorage, Alaska, said it doesn't make a difference for the program he runs but commerce will need time to get the licensing parts in place. He suggested she ask Angela Birt. 2:46:52 PM ANGELA BIRT, Chief Investigator, Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Anchorage, Alaska, said it would be helpful if it were January 1, 2018 to align with the annual December 31 license renewal date. 2:47:32 PM CHAIR COGHILL said he would talk to the sponsor about the effective date. He asked members to submit amendments by Wednesday next week. SENATOR COSTELLO asked the sponsor to clarify that advertising is being addressed at the federal level. MR. LAMKIN said he understands that the Food and Drug Administration is working on regulations regarding marketing, sales, and labeling and intends to align them with tobacco regulations. 2:48:44 PM CHAIR COGHILL held SB 15 in committee for further consideration.