SACRAMENTO, C.A. – Today, the American Vaping Association, a leading advocate for the benefits of vapor products such as electronic cigarettes, urged the California Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media to reject AB 768, a bill by State Assemblyman Tony Thurmond (D-Richmond) that would prohibit the use of vapor products and smokeless tobacco at or near any location in California where an organized baseball game is taking place.
The committee will hear testimony on the bill today, April 7th, at a hearing scheduled for 9 AM. The committee’s bill analysis, which notes its overly broad language and lack of necessity, can be read here.
Gregory Conley, President of the American Vaping Association, issued the following statement:
“The Assembly should roundly reject AB 768. The bill’s sponsors may be selling this measure as a way to stop Major League Baseball players from setting bad examples for youth, but even a cursory glance at the bill text reveals that it is nothing more than pure government overreach.
“This vague and overly broad bill would ban the use the of smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products in areas that extend far beyond major league stadiums, including city parks and private businesses like batting facilities. Parents at Little League games who slip away from the stands to vape or use smokeless tobacco would even be breaking the law.
“How will this bill even be enforced? Will California be sending bureaucrats to baseball games to check the upper lips of those in attendance?
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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.
