SALT LAKE CITY -- Northern Utah Lawmakers are leading the effort to clamp down on the mostly unregulated distribution of smokeless nicotine products.
Everything from candy-like products with nicotine to electronic- cigarettes with nicotine liquid or vapor are the subject of two bills in the pipeline at the state capital.
But regulating the new products hasn't been all that smooth.
On Friday, two separate but conflicting bills were heard for the first time in a Utah House committee. The first bill, sponsored by Rep. Ronda Menlove, R-Garland, would make it illegal to sell the mechanical e-cigarettes to minors.
"The intent of the bill is not to restrict adult behavior," said Menlove.
The many-flavored product, sometimes shaped like a cigarette, produces an inhaled vapor of nicotine of varying strengths.
Prices vary, depending on the technology used.
The products are produced in flavors that include cola, bubble gum and cookies and cream.
But also testifying was Mark Livingston, a Clearfield man who said the product was an alternative to tobacco that helped his son quit smoking.
"This enabled him to stop," said Livingston.
The Menlove bill passed out of the committee before it was discovered the next piece of legislation up for discussion would outlaw e-cigarettes.
The second bill, sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clinton, bans most of the other new, flavored smokeless nicotine products on the market.
Some are shaped like small breath mints and other forms that in larger quantities could harm children.
"They are just like candy, but dangerous," said Ray.
During the committee hearing, Ray discussed exempting both the mechanical cigarettes and snuff. The Davis County lawmaker said the inclusion, particularly snuff, was an oversight in drafting the bill.
A pair of Eden business partners worried their e-cigarette business would vaporize if the Ray bill passed and had testified on behalf of their product.
"This cigarette is safe. We do not sell to children," said Leeann Duncan, who represents the Whitecloud Company, a Florida-based e-cigarette producer.
The nicotine debate continued as representatives from the Utah American Cancer Society and others pointed out the products had not been fully studied for possible effects on people, despite the claims of some manufacturers.
"It says right on the outside of the box: healthy and safe," said Amy Sands of the Utah Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Control.
Members of the committee finally decided to revisit the Ray bill this upcoming week.
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