‘Vape directory’ bill will only harm Iowans — and small businesses

In response to an opinion piece supporting House File 2677, the vape directory bill, as both a vape distributor and someone who uses e-cigarettes as an alternative to smoking cigarettes, I can tell you that this bill will not help small businesses, protect Iowans, or combat a supposed illicit market.

By making it impossible for independent vape retailers to stock or ship a wide variety of e-cigarettes, the bill will only encourage the use of Big Tobacco’s perilous products (cigarettes which independent vape retailers don’t carry) and push our customers who use e-cigarettes into an unregulated and dangerous black market.

Frankly, this bill caters to Big Tobacco. It allows thousands of cigarettes to be sold in stores frequented by youth. It also ensures that Big Tobacco’s e-cigarettes will be sold even though, according to the CDC’s annual youth survey for the past four years, they are among the top five most popular brands used by youth.

In addition to the harmful impact on Iowan smokers, if Governor Reynolds signs this bill, she would wipe out the state’s $75 million-dollar vaping industry. This would ensure the closure of small businesses that don’t sell cigarettes, eliminate hundreds of lost jobs, and drain tens of millions of tax revenue dollars from the state, while leaving Big Tobacco’s cigarettes and vapes right alongside candy, chips, and energy drinks.

Governor Reynolds has a great opportunity to veto HF 2677 and support Iowa’s small business owners while aiding Iowans struggling to quit cigarettes.

Ashley Hartman

CEO, Global Source Distribution

Des Moines