Governor, State of California
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Governor Brown,
I respectfully request your veto of Senate Bill X2-5. This bill redefines “tobacco product” in current law to include vapor products and extends current restrictions and prohibitions against the use of tobacco products to vapor products.
My focused objection to this bill is that it is unfit to include electronic vapor devices under the legal definition of “tobacco products” because they do not contain tobacco. These devices do not produce secondhand smoke and offer an alternative to smoking for individuals who are trying to reduce or eliminate their tobacco use.
Electronic vapor devices deserve their own thoughtfully crafted regulation, not to be lumped in with tobacco. Senate Bill X2-5 is poorly drafted and leaves issues of ambiguity in licensing and taxation requirements for vapor retailers. I am afraid that this bill will greatly inhibit the attempts of individuals who are in the process of quitting smoking as well as the small businesses that provide these devices.
I thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Joel Anderson
Senator, District 38