Not everyone in San Francisco in the United States agrees with the proposed e-cigarette bans. Indeed, the Small Business Commission of the city recently opposed a proposal to ban the sale of vaping products arguing that it could hurt many small shops.
A BAN ON E-CIGARETTE BEFORE THE FDA TAKES OVER!
Last week, a vote of the commission sent a strong message to the supervisory board, which will vote in the coming weeks on the legislation presented by the supervisor Shamann Walton. This would ban the sale of e-cigarettes until the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assesses the impact of products on public health and approves their commercialization.
Shamann Walton declined to make any changes to his proposal when he presented his bill to the committee last week. "I care more about our youth than profits", did he declare.
He added that the accessibility of vaping products in stores is one of the reasons that gives young people access to products containing nicotine. Any store selling tobacco products in San Francisco, including e-cigarettes, must obtain a permit from the Department of Public Health. These permits are declining due to the 2014 law imposing a limit on the number allowed in each surveillance district. In 2014, there were 970 permits to sell tobacco, but that number has dropped to 738.
Regarding this proposal, it is far from unanimous! "You're hurting small businesses", said Stephen adams, Chair of the Small Business Commission. "Here, the city becomes a nanny again. I sit here, ready to explode, thinking that we are punishing people who respect the laws. »
Si Sharky Laguana was the only small business commissioner to support the law, but still thinks it's not an easy decision to accept. "I am deeply uncomfortable with the challenge this presents for a small number of companies and yet I am also deeply concerned about the impact on young people", did he declare.
During the meeting, Rwhi ZeidanOwner Discount Cigarettes in Chinatown for seven years asked Shamann Walton why he wanted to ban e-cigarettes when many say they are a healthier alternative. He said Shamann Walton should instead focus on childhood obesity, a bigger concern for the health of young people.
Commissioners are concerned about the time companies may have to comply with the law. According to people who work with Shamann Walton, the law could go into effect six months after the vote.
