In Ohio, new legislation would outlaw the sale of any flavored vaping products that aren't expressly approved by the FDA, with the exception of tobacco and menthol. If the law is approved, vape shops would be destroyed, and bottled e-liquid and disposable vapes—products that the great majority of users prefer—would no longer be legally accessible. However, it wouldn't affect the illicit vape goods that big tobacco corporations sell.
The State Senate's version of HB 33, the 2024–25 appropriations measure, was amended at the last minute to include the proposed flavor prohibition. The measure was enacted the day after the modification was added, and there was no public discussion of it.
Rapid opposition to the flavor prohibition is required.
The flavor ban proposal was pushed to Ohio lawmakers by R.J. Reynolds, the company that makes the use vape products. The proposal bears similarities to earlier bills sponsored by Reynolds and Juul Labs and introduced in other states. The only flavors of vapes offered by both brands are tobacco and menthol.
The appropriations measure has been passed by both the Senate and the House; but, in order for the entire General Assembly to approve a final version, the discrepancies between the bills—including the anti-flavor amendment—must be resolved in a conference committee.
This week, committees will start working on the final bill. In order to convince state legislators to remove the anti-flavor provision from the final, reconciled bill, resistance to the amendment must mount quickly. The appropriations bill is necessary to fund the government for the upcoming fiscal year.
In addition to informing Ohio vapers about the deceptive amendment and offering them a straightforward method of opposing the flavor restriction, CASAA has released a call to action. In order to voice opposition to the proposal, Ohioans can also contact the offices of the senators and members of the state house.
