From Massachusetts to Virginia

[tg51]

Virginia now has a proposed House Bill (HB93) mimicking that of Massachusetts: the sale or distribution of flavored tobacco products prohibited; civil penalty. Prohibits the sale or distribution of flavored tobacco products, defined in the bill, and creates a civil penalty of $1,000 for a first offense and $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense.

Things are looking bad for the commonwealth after the recent raising of the tobacco age requirement.

 

[larryspencer]

Unfortunately Virginia is trying to mimic California regarding the nanny state mentality, especially after the recent elections.

 

[fightnhampster]

sad where things have come especially considering Virginia's history as a tobacco producer.

 

[bent1]

These laws interfere with the individuals right to Life, Liberty, & pursuit of Happiness. I don’t see how they stand up to constitutional review.

 

[mso489]

I can understand keeping junior high and high school kids from getting hooked on vaping by sugary flavored capsules. The intent may be well meant. As legislation goes, this sounds like a blunt trauma weapon. I don't see school kids taking up pipe smoking in general. That could be addressed if it happened in a wide cross section, as does vaping, but it hasn't. Legislation should be surgical enough to address the problems that exist, and not those that don't. Laws shouldn't be a bouquet of unintended consequences. Is the idea to get the public to do legislators' will, or to address actual problems at hand?

 

[tg51]

I can understand keeping junior high and high school kids from getting hooked on vaping by sugary flavored capsules. The intent may be well meant. As legislation goes, this sounds like a blunt trauma weapon. I don't see school kids taking up pipe smoking in general. That could be addressed if it happened in a wide cross section, as does vaping, but it hasn't. Legislation should be surgical enough to address the problems that exist, and not those that don't. Laws shouldn't be a bouquet of unintended consequences. Is the idea to get the public to do legislators' will, or to address actual problems at hand?

These points were almost the exact points that I addressed in my letters to my state senator and representative. We’ll see what happens.

 

[lawdawg]

Tobacco bad

 

[kurtbob]

I have noticed these things are easier to push through in commonwealths and states that have a high low income state funded health care burden. It’s easy for them to say “well, since we the state carry the cost of your healthcare we will pass laws to stop your tobacco use. Therefore saving the state millions”. Just an observation from an outsider

 

[brian64]

I don't see school kids taking up pipe smoking in general. That could be addressed if it happened

It's already illegal for minors to purchase tobacco. End of issue. Nothing more is required.

Using children as the reason for this type of legislation is pure BS and I can't imagine how anyone could actually believe that is the true impetus behind it.

 

[diamondback]

Yeah I remember my public school days. Drifting off in class thinking about getting home to try a new pipe blend or how I was going to score a nice cigar. The chicks really loved the pipe & cigar guys. Those were the good ole days.

/sarcasm

 

[brian64]

Yeah I remember my public school days.

Now there's a genuine threat to the healthy development of children and their future quality of life...the government school system. IMO.

Funny how it almost always seems to be the case that the children of those "in power" attend private schools.

 

[diamondback]

Now there's a genuine threat to the healthy development of children and their future quality of life...the government school system. IMO.

Funny how it almost always seems to be the case that the children of those "in power" attend private schools.

True that!

And what’s up with their ungodly lifespan? No smoking I’m sure

 

[brian64]

And what’s up with their ungodly lifespan?

'Vampire therapy' could reverse ageing, scientists find - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/10807478/Vampire-therapy-could-reverse-ageing-scientists-find.html

 

[Worknman]

Even scarier than certain states banning flavored tobacco is the current federal bill working its way thru congress which seeks to eliminate internet tobacco sales altogether.