Bills, bills everywhere, as the sounds of legislation fill the air!

Its legislation season in Utah and House Bills are springing up everywhere. With a number of issues being raised in the House of Representatives, the ongoing fight against vaping is not to be forgotten.

Recently introduced House Bill 252 and House Bill 324 specifically target the sale and use of tobacco and non-tobacco products. The implementation of these two pieces of legislation can create major change on the vaping front.

Initially introduced by Representative Paul Ray,House Bill 252 would impose taxes on e-cigarettes and vape pens. By classing electronic devices with tobacco products and imposing similar taxes on them, these products would be out of price point for minors. The overall intended impact is they will be less attainable among the younger population.

In addition to House Bill 252, there is the potential of another Bill hitting the legislative scene.House Bill 324promises to raise the legal age of smoking from 19 to 21. Sponsored by Representative Steve Eliason, with the backing of a number of major tobacco companies, this Bill also aimsto combat the issue of underage smoking.

Over the years, and especially in recent times, vaping companies have been coming under heavy fire for the ease with which middle and high school kids have been accessing and using their products at schools.

Now with states having more autonomy to govern the approach to these issues, Bills like House Bill 252 and House Bill 324 are being introduced in the hope of restricting the situation of access and practice by minors.

Though both Bills are in the early stages and are yet to be reviewed by the committee, the potential impact they could have throughout Utah in the fight against underage vaping, if they are to be introduced, is already palpable.