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Bill

Bill

A 671

Relates to requiring a valid prescription in order to purchase, obtain or use an electronic cigarette; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Linda Rosenthal

Requires a valid prescription to buy, obtain, or use electronic cigarettes, repealing current non-prescription access.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 671

Bill A 671 — Summary

Overview

  • Bill Number: A 671
  • Title: Relates to requiring a valid prescription in order to purchase, obtain or use an electronic cigarette; repealer
  • Status: REFERRED TO HEALTH
  • Introduced: January 8, 2025
  • Sponsor: Linda Rosenthal (primary)
  • Committee Assignment: Health
  • Related Bills (prior sessions): A 8628, A 668, A 187

Note: The current available information does not include the full text of the bill. The summary below reflects the bill’s stated purpose in its title and status information, not the exact statutory language.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill would mandate that a valid prescription be required to purchase, obtain, or use an electronic cigarette.
  • It also includes a repealer component, indicating that existing legal provisions authorizing non-prescription access to electronic cigarettes would be repealed or removed.

Key provisions (high-level)

  • Prescription Requirement: Any purchase, acquisition, or use of an electronic cigarette would necessitate a valid medical prescription.
  • Repealer: Existing provisions that currently allow non-prescription access to electronic cigarettes would be repealed or repealed to the extent inconsistent with the new prescription requirement.
  • Scope: While not detailed in the summary, the bill is likely to define what constitutes an “electronic cigarette” and what qualifies as a “valid prescription” in its full text.

Important: The exact definitions, exemptions (if any), prescription validity periods, penalties for noncompliance, and enforcement mechanisms are not specified in the information provided. These would appear in the bill’s text.

Who would be affected

  • Consumers: Individuals seeking to purchase, obtain, or use electronic cigarettes would be subject to prescription requirements.
  • Retailers and sellers: Businesses that sell electronic cigarettes would need processes to verify prescriptions and ensure compliance.
  • Healthcare providers: Prescribers would play a central role in issuing valid prescriptions for e-cigarettes.
  • State health department/agency: Likely responsible for enforcement and regulatory guidance.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Committee action: Referred to the Health Committee (January 8, 2025).
  • Status in current session: Active referral to Health; no further actions outlined in the provided information.
  • Next steps in legislative process: If advanced, the bill would proceed through hearings, potential amendments, and votes in the Health Committee and subsequent chambers, followed by floor votes and potential enactment.

Legislative context and related bills

  • The bill has related bills from prior sessions: A 8628, A 668, and A 187, suggesting ongoing interest in restricting or redefining access to electronic cigarettes.
  • As with many health-related bills, considerations may include public health impact, enforcement feasibility, costs, and equity concerns.

Notes for readers

  • The available information does not include the bill’s full text, definitions, penalties, or implementation timelines. For a complete understanding, a reading of the introduced bill text and any subsequent amendments is necessary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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