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ATLANTA — Lawmakers in Athens want the state to create a type of registry of e-cigarette products approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The goal is to inform retailers and consumers about what is legal and what is not.
Richard Elliott on Channel 2 There were so many people in the committee room Monday registered to speak on the bill that the committee chair agreed to come back for another meeting to hear everyone’s opinions.
Athens Congressman Houston Gaines gave several examples of illegal e-cigarette products that said “Made in China” on the back.
Basic question: What’s in the vape cartridge you’re smoking?
The FDA hasn’t approved them, so Gaines said Georgia shouldn’t either.
“Customers don’t know what’s legal and what’s not. What’s approved by the FDA. It’s important to know that the people approve of it,” Gaines told Elliott.
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So Mr. Gaines authored a bill that would create an official registry, a list of all e-cigarette products approved or pending approval by the FDA.
The state Department of Agriculture would maintain and issue it. Products not on this list cannot be legally sold in Georgia.
Monday afternoon’s committee hearing was so well attended that the committee chair agreed to hold a second hearing to give everyone a chance to speak, but some people objected bitterly.
One of those who spoke out Monday was vape store owner Dillon Gilbert, who claims the bill would destroy the vaping industry.
“I own vape stores in Savannah and Columbus,” Gilbert said. “We want common sense regulation, but unfortunately this bill is a death blow to our industry.”
But Gaines contends the bill would help remove vaping products containing fentanyl and THC from store shelves.
“You want to make sure what you’re using is tested and approved and won’t kill you. There have been cases of young people dying from e-cigarettes laced with fentanyl and THC.” Gaines said.
Under this bill, stores caught selling these unapproved e-cigarette products could face significant fines and even license suspension.
We need to act quickly to pass this bill. Crossover day is next week.
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