Kentucky bill (HB 174) reintroduced to ban smoking and e-cig use in workplaces

[Bill Godshall]

Kentucky Rep. Susan Westrom has reintroduced legislation (HB 174) that would ban e-cig use and smoking in all workplaces by falsely defining smoking as including the use of smokefree e-cigs. There is no mention of e-cig use ban in bill summary. The bill was referred to KY House Health & Welfare Cmte.
14RS HB173

KY Rep. Susan Westrom claims 65% of Kentuckians support banning smoking in workplaces, but respondents weren’t informed her bill (HB 174) also bans e-cig use.
Westrom's Smoke-Free Bill Gaining Support - ABC36 News WTVQ Lexington Kentucky

On a related matter, the Bullitt County (KY) Fiscal Court enacted an ordinance that banned all tobacco use on all county property (but the news article didn't mention e-cigs, and I couldn't find it at the county's website). But ACS, AHA, ALA, the KY Health Dept and Ellen Hahn aren't pleased because last year (or maybe 2 years ago) the Bullitt County Fiscal Court sued to block the Bullitt County Health Department approved regulation that banned smoking and e-cig use in all workplaces in the county.
http://www.courier-journal.com/arti...0037/Bullitt-County-votes-approve-smoking-ban

KY Gov. Beshear ironically calls Bullitt County’s tobacco usage ban on county property a “wolf in sheeps clothing”, urges support for Health Board’s previously approved e-cig usage and smoking ban (now in litigation) and Rep. Westrom’s state bill to ban e-cig use and smoking in all workplaces (despite e-cigs posing no harm to nonusers)..
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20140114/OPINION01/301140016/Help-Kentucky-stop-smoking

 

[joecil]

I agree as someone who has lived in Lexington, Kentucky for 10 years and plan to retire later this year but still live here. I am now recovering from lung cancer and if it wasn't for e-cigs (now nicotine free mixes) I would still be smoking. Needless to say the patch, gum and pills didn't work however e-cigs did. I would be on my way to a death sentence now as I wouldn't have been able to quit otherwise. I smoke a pack or more a day for 50 years but quit instantly with no more cigarettes since finding e-cigs. I'm now 5 months free and tumors are gone.

 

[rothenbj]

I'll tell you, with all the problems in this country and all that desire to rid the world of smoking, these legislators sure waste a lot of time on what appears to be a relatively harmless activity.

 

[Schwiggiddy]

Where is the part where it includes vapor? I'm not seeing it, and I did read the links.

Edit: Oh wow I see it now. This is really sneaky, and the linked articles don't even mention that it will include e-cigs as well.

 

[Stringer63]

Hopefully, this bill will be amended to remove e-cigs as part of the ban. That's what happened last year with a similar bill that died. I can only imagine what the B&M's in the state are thinking (if they know about it) as no one could even taste flavors without walking outside 15' from the frickin front door! Lumping e-cigs in with the known effects of second hand smoke is uninformed BS. As opposed to hearing joecil's story (and many others like it), these politicians can only visualize a 15 year old vaping - come on, wake up! These devices save lives.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Another bill (SB 117), which appears to be the same as HB 174 (it would ban vaping and smoking in nearly all workplaces), was introduced in the KY Senate.
But it's cosponsored by just 3 Senators, none of whom seem to be interested in banning smoking in workplaces (or else they wouldn't have included a vaping ban).
14RS SB117

 

[Bill Godshall]

The KY House Health Cmte approved HB 174 (with a 10-3 vote)
Kentucky House panel OKs smoking ban bill - KansasCity.com


Please note this same Cmte approved the same bill last year, but it died aftewards.

 

[Bill Godshall]

HB 174 has been referred to the KY House Rules Cmte (which is comprised of legislative leaders).

Meanwhile, SB 117 was referred to the KY Senate Judiciary Cmte.

 

[Bill Godshall]

KY Representative Stan Lee has filed an amendment to HB 174 that would exempt e-cigs from the bill.
14RS HB173

All KY vapers and vendors should urge the KY House Rules Cmte, and other Representatives to support Stan Lee's amendment to HB 174.

Also, please thank Rep. Lee, who did the same thing last year.
House District 45

 

[Bill Godshall]

Looks like a victory for vapers in Kentucky, as Rep. Susan Westrom has filed an amendment (Amendment 5) to her bill (HB 174) that eliminates e-cigs from the definition of "smoking", and that would exempt cigar bars and private clubs from the bill's smoking ban.
14RS HB173

Westrom realizes that she cannot get a majority of votes for HB 174 in the Kentucky House as long as her bill bans e-cig use in workplaces, and as long as her bill bans smoking in cigar bars and private clubs.

It is very likely the KY House will approve Westrom's amendment, but it remains to be seen if a majority of KY House members will support HB 174 even with Westrom's amendment.

KY vapers and vendors should thank Westrom for her amendment, and should especially thank Rep. Stan Lee for filing the amendment to remove e-cigs from the HB 174 (which likely prompted Westrom to include it in her amendment).

 

[Bill Godshall]

Kentucky bill (HB 173) that would have banned smoking/vaping in workplaces is dead
http://www.courier-journal.com/arti...1/Bill-ban-smoking-Kentucky-dead-sponsor-says