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Act Now to Stop Alabama HB 65

Alabama was one of the early adopters of a PMTA Registry Law. These laws essentially create a monopoly for Big Tobacco’s vape pod kits by removing competition from the market, and make states the enforcement arm for the FDA.

But someone has to pay to protect Big Tobacco when you pass a Big Tobacco Protection Act. Alabama House Bill 65 (HB 65) has been introduced that would provide funding for Alabama to enforce its “Vapor Product Directory” law. This bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on:

• Wednesday, February 21, 2024
• 1:30 PM
• Room 200

This law will put independent vape shops out of business, hundreds of workers out of jobs, and thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying transition to non-combustible alternatives.

Please take a minute to send an email to your lawmakers urging them to oppose HB 65! 

CRITICISMS OF PMTA REGISTRY BILLS

1. Structured so that the tobacco industry’s vape products remain on market, despite also not having received PMTA authorization, while barring their less expensive competition.
2. Serves as a flavor ban, denying adult vapers the flavors they prefer. An FDA funded study found cigarette sales increase in areas with flavor bans.
3. Bars easy to use disposable vapes, which are ideal for initiates and not coincidentally compete head-to-head with prefilled pod kits made by Big Tobacco.
4. Harms small businesses, vape shops and convenience stores, by removing high-volume and profitable products while leaving lower margin tobacco industry vapes on shelves.
5. Contrary to spirit of consumer choice and entrepreneurship, barring products released after 2016.

ALABAMA WILL PAY TO ENFORCE BIG TOBACCO MONOPOLY

The price difference between independent vape industry products and those made by Big Tobacco is staggering. It costs over $200 to vape 30ml of e-liquid from a Vuse Alto. For Juul users, that cost increases to nearly $350 per 30ml. Jobs will be lost, taxpayers will cover the cost of enforcement, and customers will pay more for alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

A Lost Mary MT15000 Turbo costs a $63 to vape the same amount of e-liquid. The difference for the average user can equal a car lease or student loan payment. 

This table does not even account for the fact that a legally enforced monopoly will provide the tobacco industry with the freedom to raise prices further. What is the worst that can happen? Profitable cigarettes sold in place of vapes?

Consumer freedom, choice, and your pocketbook will take a huge hit if the Alabama increases funding to enforce their Big Tobacco Protection Act.