INDIANAPOLIS, I.N. – Today, the American Vaping Association (AVA), a leading advocate for the benefits of vapor products such as electronic cigarettes, renewed its call for the Indiana State Senate to reject HB 1432. The AVA is joined in its opposition by Hoosier Vapers, a coalition representing Indiana’s small business vape shops and e-liquid manufacturers, virtually all of whom who would be shut down if this bill goes into the law. At least 150 business owners, employees, and consumers are expected to rally today at the State House in Indianapolis at 1 PM.
Previously, both Americans for Tax Reform and AVA have penned editorials urging the rejection of HB 1432 and its companion bill SB 539.
Gregory Conley, President of the AVA, issued the following statement:
“HB 1432 is a direct assault on Indiana small businesses that is is being waged and lobbied for by a large corporation with a special interest in cornering much of the Indiana e-cigarette market.
“While this bill has been touted as a measure to protect children, a simple reading of the bill reveals that it is anything but. HB 1432 would require small businesses in Indiana to spend tens-of-thousands of dollars to even have a hope of coming into compliance with the law.
“Numerous provisions of the proposed law — like casino-style security requirements and long-term contracts for video monitoring — serve no practical purpose and go far beyond what the Food & Drug Administration requires for tobacco manufacturing.
“E-liquid manufacturers in Indiana are supplying a rapidly growing market of smokers who are desperately trying to switch away from tobacco cigarettes. But remarkably, HB 1432 would exempt the e-cigarette products made by Big Tobacco from any sort of regulations. What sense does that make?”
“This bill would shut down countless Indiana small businesses that are paying taxes, creating jobs, and helping Indiana smokers quit. And yet, no one has offered any legitimate justification for such overly restrictive regulations.
“It’s time for the Indiana Senate to stick up for small business owners and vote down this monstrous bill that will kill jobs and harm public health in Indiana.”
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You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website.
About the American Vaping Association
The American Vaping Association is a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair and sensible regulation of vapor products, otherwise known as electronic cigarettes, with the goal of maximizing the number of adult smokers who use these products to quit smoking. The AVA was founded by Gregory Conley, a consumer and industry advocate with a long track record of advocating for vapor products dating back to 2010.
We are dedicated to educating the public and government officials about public health benefits offered by vapor products, which are battery-powered devices that heat a liquid nicotine or nicotine-free solution and create an inhalable vapor. The AVA is not a trade group and does not speak for any particular businesses, including our industry sponsors.
You can learn more about AVA and vaping by visiting the AVA website. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.
