Committee hears testimony on bill to allow e-cigarette vending machines; public health group opposes

The Committee on Federal and State Affairs opened a hearing on House Bill 2,094, which would amend the Kansas Cigarette and Tobacco Products Act to authorize the sale of electronic cigarettes and related devices through vending machines in locations where no person under age 21 is permitted.

Mike Hyam of the Reviser of Statutes Office summarized the bill for the committee: "House Bill 2,094 amends the Kansas cigarette and tobacco products act. And, what it does is it authorizes the sale of electronic cigarettes and vending machines," Hyam said. The bill adds electronic cigarettes to existing statutory definitions for vending-machine distributors and operators, allows vending machines to carry devices and cartridges and creates tax-reporting language for those products.

Proponent testimony came from Eric Kieser, who identified himself as the owner of two health and wellness stores. Kieser described modern…