St. Paul, Minnesota — Tonight, the Minnesota House of Representatives passed HF 2402, the Health and Human Services Omnibus Policy Bill, which contains legislation authored by state Representative Laurie Halverson (DFL – Eagan) regulating e-cigarettes.
Scientific research in recent months has continued to show growing evidence that e-cigarettes are dangerous to public health. The Centers for Disease Control announced last month that the number of e-cigarette-related poison center calls has increased dramatically, and most troubling, more than half the calls involved children under 6 years-old.
The bill adds e-cigarettes to current tobacco regulation and criminal statutes. HF2402 prohibits use of e-cigarettes on public school property; allows local governments to regulate e-cigarettes; and makes selling e-cigarettes to minors a misdemeanor crime.
“These provisions are solely aimed at keep e-cigarettes out of the hands of Minnesota’s children,” said Rep. Halverson. “While e-cigarettes may not have the dangerous smoke that regular cigarettes have, the vapor does contain formaldehyde and other dangerous chemicals. E-cigarettes also come in candy flavors that appeal to children — a tactic the tobacco industry has historically used to target kids.”
The House adopted amendments on the floor to ban the use of e-cigarettes in state buildings, prohibit e-cigarettes from being sold at kiosks, and require child-resistant packaging for e-cigarette liquid.
The bill also contains legislation authored by Rep. Halverson requiring hospitals to give written notice about victim rights and available resources to sexual assault victims.
“Many sexual assault victims are unaware of the resources available to them, both to handle the trauma they’ve experienced and to ensure their assaulter is arrested and charged,” said Rep. Halverson. “We need to do all we can to reduce sexual assaults and help the victims.”
Rep. Halverson encourages constituents to contact her with any comments, questions, concerns, or ideas on any legislative topic. Rep. Halverson can be reached by phone at 651-296-4128 or by email at rep.laurie.halverson@house.mn.