Committee approves e-cigarette ban

SALT LAKE CITY — After adopting clarifying language and a discussion that, at times, was anything but, a legislative committee approved a bill Tuesday that would effectively ban many nicotine-laced products, including so-called electronic cigarettes.

Despite testimony by e-cigarette users that inhaling the vapors produced by the battery-powered devices allows smokers to stop inhaling tar and other compounds in cigarette smoke, all but one member of the House Health and Human Services Committee voted to pass second substitute SB71 sponsored by Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield.

New candy or mint-based nicotine products also would be banned. Flavored moist tobacco or snuff that has been sold for several decades would be exempted.

The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

— James Thalman