Oklahoma Bill Back from the Dead

Oklahoma State Capitol

Some people just don’t know when to quit.  After Oklahoma’s SB802, about which we previously reported, was defeated by the state’s House Health Committee, it’s back only a few days later.  Apparently not willing to let his tobacco-company-backed bill go down easy, Oklahoma Senator Rob Johnson (R) has attached it as an amendment to HB2097, and unrelated bill which would allow the release certain private records in an emergency.

Hundreds showed up to protest the bill in its original incarnation, which was almost identical the the version resubmitted today.  It would raise taxes on e-cigarette products, require a very expensive tobacco seller’s license to sell e-cigarette supplies, and would essentially criminalize many online e-cigarette sales, according to CASAA.

The bill is backed by tobacco companies like R.J. Reynolds, presumably because it would almost certainly cripple to operations of their smaller competition by requiring a costly tobacco seller’s license, which in turn requires a hefty bond too expensive for many smaller shops to afford.  Elimination of Internet sales would most likely not affect  tobacco companies to any great degree, as they have long-standing relationships with vendors, ensuring they are given shelf space in local shops.

This time there won’t be a public hearing, since Senator Johnson has chosen to inject this this amendment into HB2097 mid-stream. CASAA is urging people to act quickly to stop this bill, for the second time this month.  More details on this bill, and what you can do to stop it, are available on CASAA’s website.

Oklahoma Bill Back from the Dead