E-cigarette bill shields industry, not youths

We've all heard and understand the term 'a wolf in sheep's clothing.” That would be an appropriate description for Iowa HF 2109, a bill approved by the Legislature that supposedly will keep our youths from electronic cigarettes.

But with a little deeper examination, one begins to discover the wolflike fur under the woolly covering.

When we peel away the outer wool, we see a familiar wolf staring at us with hungry eyes.

HF 2109 was written and promoted by the tobacco industry and its distributors in an effort to convince us that this legislation has at its heart the best interests of our children.

This is the same wolf, however, that has bitten us in the past, over and over again. It's the same wolf that knowingly lied to us for decades that its bite was harmless even when its own documents showed otherwise.

Every one of us has had a friend, relative or co-worker who has been affected by the health problems of tobacco addiction. So, here comes the wolf again in the form of HF 2109 to tell us that he's only looking out for the best interests of our children.

Prepare for the bite.

HF 2109 creates confusing definitions of 'vapor products” and 'alternate nicotine products” as a way to make enforcement and compliance impossible.

There also is no process, except to take the word of the wolf, as to which products contain nicotine.

On that point, we already know that the 'nicotine free” products have been found to contain nicotine. It's hard to trust the wolf's word that he's not out to bite you when his teeth already are clamped around your ankle.

HF 2109 makes no attempt to protect the public's health by restricting e-cigarette use the same as tobacco cigarettes are.

E-cigarette vapor is not the harmless water vapor as claimed in ads. It contains many of the same carcinogens and toxins found in tobacco smoke.

The end game of this bill is to create loopholes that will allow a new generation of replacement smokers to become hooked on nicotine.

The wolf has been getting hungry as we have made strides in reducing tobacco use, and he needs a new generation of eager lambs to satisfy his hunger.

The governor should join every health-related organization in Iowa, none of which has anything to gain other than the good health of Iowans, and veto this bill. Send a message back to the Legislature that the health of our current and future generations is more important than feeding the greed of the tobacco industry.

The governor should not fall prey to the false cries of 'protect our children” on the surface of this bill, but should look and listen deeper to hear the guttural laughter of the wolf as he ties the hands of health care and public health organizations and leads our sheep to the dinner table.

' Douglas Beardsley of Iowa City is past president/advocacy chair of the Iowa Counties Public Health Association. Comments: dougbeards@gmail.com