Vapor Voice

Tag: Vermont

  • Amazon to Pay $400,000 to Vermont for Vape Sales

    Amazon to Pay $400,000 to Vermont for Vape Sales

    Credit: Sundry Photography

    Amazon will pay Vermont $400,000 and improve its vetting practices to settle claims that it failed to stop online vendors from selling e-cigarettes, Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark announced Wednesday.

    An investigation by the attorney general’s office found that third-party sellers had been hawking tobacco products, especially vapes, to Vermonters on Amazon over the past few years.

    That practice violates a Vermont law, which prohibits the online sale of tobacco products to anyone other than a licensed dealer. Amazon also prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes, and has a variety of safeguards in place to prevent such sales, according to the settlement, according to media reports.

    But even so, “between July 2019 and September 2024, certain e-cigarettes were purchased from third-party sellers in Amazon’s store and shipped to Vermont consumers,” the settlement reads.

    After being informed of the infractions by Vermont’s attorney general, Amazon made unspecified improvements to its oversight practices, the settlement said.

    In addition to the payment, each year for the next four years Amazon will also create a list of vendors that have sold tobacco products to Vermont — the “Vermont Evasive Seller List” — and provide the list to the attorney general if needed.

  • Lawmakers to Let Vermont Veto of Flavor Ban Stand

    Lawmakers to Let Vermont Veto of Flavor Ban Stand

    Credit: Belyay

    The governor vetoed a bill last week that would have banned flavored vaping and tobacco products in Vermont, and it appears lawmakers won’t override him.

    Gov. Phil Scott expressed concerns about a loss in state revenues. He also argued it would be hypocritical to enact such a ban while Vermont continues to benefit from the sale of flavored cannabis and alcohol products.

    It takes a two-thirds majority in both the House and Senate to override a veto. And while the bill passed both chambers by wide margins, it never met that threshold, according to media reports. This week, Senator Phil Baruth announced on the Senate floor that the chamber would not attempt an override.

    Backers of the legislation, who have pursued the ban for years, say they’ll continue exploring their options.

  • ATR: Scott Veto a ‘Huge Relief’ for Vermont Vapers

    ATR: Scott Veto a ‘Huge Relief’ for Vermont Vapers

    Credit: Carsten Reisinger

    Vermont Governor Phil Scott returned Senate Bill 18, a sweeping ban on flavored tobacco, vapor, and all other nicotine-containing products, without a signature after it passed the Senate 18-11 and the House 83-53. Both fell short of enough votes to override the veto.

    Tim Andrews, director of Consumer Issues for Americans for Tax Reform (ATR), said Scott’s veto is a “huge relief” to Vermonters who rely on vaping products to avoid returning to combustible cigarette use. He also said, “Rejecting the tax hike will make it easier for those who currently smoke to achieve cessation using vapor products, as flavors are proven to be a crucial factor in an adult smoker’s decision to quit.”

    In his veto letter, Scott described S.18 as “hypocritical and out of step with other initiatives that have been passed”. Alongside the double standard of enacting a tobacco flavor ban post the legalization of cannabis (flavored varieties included) in 2020 and state advertisement of flavored alcohol products, the bill also compromises the state’s revenue stability, the ATR wrote in a press release.

    This bill would have resulted in an estimated revenue loss of between $7.1 to $14.2 million in fiscal year 2027. Nearby Massachusetts has already experienced similar consequences as a result of its own flavor ban, seeing a $17 million loss in tobacco tax revenue to New Hampshire, which gained $18 million in revenues as residents drove across the border to purchase flavored products, according to ATR.

  • Vermont Governor Vetos Flavored Vape Sales Ban

    Vermont Governor Vetos Flavored Vape Sales Ban

    Credit: rabbit75 fot

    The governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, has vetoed legislation banning the sale of flavored vaping and tobacco and products in the state.

    Backers of the bill say it would help discourage young people from becoming addicted to tobacco. But Scott described the bill as “hypocritical” because Vermont allows the sale of flavored alcohol and cannabis products. He read part of his veto letter during a press conference in Montpelier, according to media reports.

    “I’ve found people lose faith in government when policies have these types of inconsistencies because they contradict common sense,” Scott said. “Furthermore, from a purely practical point of view, these products will continue to be widely available just across the river in New Hampshire and through online sales.”

    Bill sponsors say they’ll try to secure the votes to override Scott’s veto in the coming weeks. The bill didn’t pass either the House or Senate with veto-proof majorities.

  • Governor Scott may Veto Vermont Flavor Ban Bill

    Governor Scott may Veto Vermont Flavor Ban Bill

    Credit: Andy Dean

    The Vermont House and Senate have agreed to a bill banning the sale of flavored tobacco and e-cigarette products.

    However, the legislation faces a possible veto from Gov. Phil Scott.

    Backers of the ban say the state spends roughly $400 million a year to treat tobacco-related illnesses and that the tobacco industry targets younger smokers with fruit-flavored vaping products and BIPOC adults with menthol cigarettes.

    It’s estimated that the ban could result in a $15 million loss in state tax revenue, which Scott is concerned about.

    At a recent press conference, he also said the bill is inconsistent with state law, which allows the sale of flavored alcohol and cannabis products, according to media reports.

    “So it just seems like we’re not being fair about this in some respects. I mean, we already do it in some, many areas,” Scott said. “If it’s $15 million that we stand to lose by putting this ban into place, I think we better reflect on that.”

    Supporters of the bill argue that the revenue loss will be offset by the huge savings in health care costs associated with the ban.

  • Vermont Moving Closer to Flavored Nicotine Ban

    Vermont Moving Closer to Flavored Nicotine Ban

    Credit: Belyay

    It’s likely going to become law. The Vermont House Committee on Human Services advanced a bill last week that would ban selling flavored vaping and other tobacco products, but made changes to address disagreements on whether to include menthol cigarettes.

    If passed, the ban would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. However, the ban on menthol cigarettes would be delayed until July 1, 2025, and the Health Equity Advisory Committee would produce a report on whether the ban is discriminatory and present it to the assembly in the 2025 legislative session, according to media reports.

    The bill proposes a ban on selling flavored tobacco products and substitutes, including cigarettes, vapes, cigars, snuff, and chewing tobacco. The bill’s most recent draft defines flavors as any taste or aroma other than that of tobacco, including “fruit, chocolate, vanilla, honey, maple, candy, cocoa, dessert, alcoholic beverage, mint, menthol, wintergreen, herb or spice, or other food or drink.”

    There were disagreements over whether the ban supports people of color, who are disproportionately targeted by the marketing of menthol cigarettes, leading to them being more likely to die of tobacco-related diseases. Or, the ban would discriminate against people of color and the LGBTQ community by banning their preferred cigarettes and other menthol tobacco products.

  • Flavor Ban Bill Dies in Vermont General Assembly

    Flavor Ban Bill Dies in Vermont General Assembly

    Credit: Rabbit75_fot

    A bill that would have banned the sale of flavored tobacco products and flavored e-liquid products has died after the Vermont General Assembly adjourned for the year.

    S.B. 18 would have banned the sale of vaping products such as e-liquids and other tobacco products that have a characterizing flavor other than tobacco.

    Like bills recently introduced in other states, the bill contained a provision that said if a company claims that the product has “a distinguishable taste or aroma other than the taste or aroma of tobacco, ” it would be considered flavored, according to Halfwheel.

    The Vermont Senate passed S.B. 18 in late March, but it failed to get out of the Vermont House Committee on Human Services.

    Several states in the Northeast have or are considering flavor bans. Connecticut also introduced a bill that would ban flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have barred the sale of flavored vaping products. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco items, including flavored cigars, cigarettes and vaping goods.

    Vermont’s ban was originally proposed in early 2020 as a way to prevent youth use, but was sidelined after the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact the country.

  • Sunsoil CEO Sets Sights on Price Cuts for Cannabis

    Sunsoil CEO Sets Sights on Price Cuts for Cannabis

    Credit: Sunsoil

    Sunsoil, the largest CBD and hemp company in Vermont and the fifth largest in the United States, is the only U.S. CBD company to do everything on-site — from farming to production, to manufacturing and distribution.

    The company is also the only FDA-certified organic hemp company to do everything by hand. Sunsoil’s new CEO, Bharat Ayyar, said he believes doing the process this way lends itself to better products and cheaper prices.

    Ayyar has only been CEO for a few weeks, and in his new role, he has continued to prioritize the same intentions that got the company to where it is now, according to MYNBC5.

    “If you’re using it [CBD] every day and buying from other brands, it could cost you over $100 a month, which is wild,” Ayyar said. “A lot of people can’t afford that, and so our goal is really to cut the price of CBD.”

    He continued on to share that the company has taken on a goal to cut down its prices by 80 percent over the next five years. Ayyar said the company is “well on our way to doing that” and has already cut down their prices by 40 percent since January.

    Ayyar also wants to clear up any misconceptions people might have about CBD and raise awareness about the wide range of people it can help. He said it’s something he had already witnessed in his own life, after converting his parents to using Sunsoil’s products.

  • Vermont Senate Gives Nod to Preliminary Flavor Ban

    Vermont Senate Gives Nod to Preliminary Flavor Ban

    Vermont lawmakers have taken a big first step toward banning flavored tobacco products and e-liquids.

    The Senate gave preliminary approval to S.18.

    The bill would ban the retail sale of flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and e-liquids, according to WCSX.

    It would also get the Attorney General’s Office to report on the extent to which Vermont may legally restrict advertising and regulate labels for the products.

    Several states in the Northeast have or are considering flavor bans. Connecticut also introduced a bill that would ban flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have barred the sale of flavored vaping products. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco items, including flavored cigars, cigarettes and vaping goods.

    Vermont’s ban was originally proposed in early 2020 as a way to prevent youth use, but was sidelined after the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact the country.

  • Lawmakers in Vermont Reintroduce Vape Flavor Ban

    Lawmakers in Vermont Reintroduce Vape Flavor Ban

    Credit: Carsten Reisinger

    A bill in the U.S. state of Vermont is gaining traction that would outlaw all flavored vaping and other tobacco products.

    Sponsors of the legislation said the bill is an attempt to curve the spike of youth nicotine use and to improve the health of all Vermonters, according to NBC5.

    “The health consequences are huge, we know of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, various cancers, and pre-cancerous chronic conditions like emphysema,” said Sen. Virginia Lyons, lead sponsor of the bill.

    Lawmakers also acknowledged that while the state may lose money from tobacco tax revenue, it could be made up in healthcare savings with Vermont spending an average of $348 million annually to treat tobacco-caused illnesses.

    NBC5 received the following statement on the potential ban from an R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company spokesperson.

    “Reynolds is committed to Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and we believe our portfolio of potentially reduced-risk products can play a critical role in its delivery. We strongly believe there are more effective ways to deliver tobacco harm reduction than banning menthol in cigarettes. Evidence from other markets where similar bans have been imposed demonstrates little impact on overall cigarette consumption.”

    Several states in the Northeast have or are considering flavor bans. Connecticut also introduced a bill that would ban flavored e-cigarettes. New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island have barred the sale of flavored vaping products. Massachusetts banned all flavored tobacco items, including flavored cigars, cigarettes and vaping goods.

    Vermont’s ban was originally proposed in early 2020 as a way to prevent youth use, but was sidelined after the Covid-19 pandemic began to impact the country.