Kentucky Bill Would Allow Cities to Pass Vapor Laws

Many states are seeking to limit local governments from passing restrictions beyond state vaping and tobacco laws such as flavor bans. A Kentucky lawmaker, however, has filed a bill to give cities and counties more power to pass their own rules dealing with smoking and vaping.

According to WKYT.com, Senate Bill 166 would allow cities, counties or other local governments to adopt tougher rules or restrictions than the state allows when it comes to smoking or vaping products.

Tony Florence, the owner of four Lexington vaping stores, told the news agency that the bill would be extremely damaging to because business owners and other vaping advocates would have to fight regulation in every city or county, causing problems for thousands of mom-and-pop style businesses.

Florence says vaping products generate a lot of tax revenue for the state and he says this bill would be hurtful to a product that he says is less harmful than cigarettes.

SB 166 is sponsored by Senator Wil Schroder and would impact the use, sale, or distribution of tobacco or vapor products. The bill has been assigned to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee but has not yet been called up for a vote.