Online Vapor Sales at Risk
Last week, the Senate passed S. 1253 – dubbed Preventing the Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Youth Act – a bill that would effectively prohibit online sales of e-cigarettes and would outright prohibit the United States Postal Service from delivering vapor products. This bill, driven by Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), places e-cigarettes into the Preventing All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (PACT) Act.
Forcing e-cigarettes into the PACT Act is a simplistic concept that is antiquated, unnecessary, and completely out of step with the times. First, the bill’s “signature on delivery” requirement will require contact during every delivery at a time when the nation’s online sales model is now “contact-less” delivery to protect against COVID-19. Second, those fortunate to still have jobs are working harder than ever to make ends meet, and first and second shift workers don’t have the time to drive to stores during business hours, nor the ability to sit at home waiting to sign for a delivery of their vapor products. Third, hard pressed Americans can’t absorb the exorbitant cost of an additional $6.00 per transaction just to have the product delivered to their door, assuming any common carriers will even continue to deliver.
We expect the House to vote on the bill when it returns from recess the week of July 20th.
Forcing e-cigarettes into the PACT Act is a simplistic concept that is antiquated, unnecessary, and completely out of step with the times. First, the bill’s “signature on delivery” requirement will require contact during every delivery at a time when the nation’s online sales model is now “contact-less” delivery to protect against COVID-19. Second, those fortunate to still have jobs are working harder than ever to make ends meet, and first and second shift workers don’t have the time to drive to stores during business hours, nor the ability to sit at home waiting to sign for a delivery of their vapor products. Third, hard pressed Americans can’t absorb the exorbitant cost of an additional $6.00 per transaction just to have the product delivered to their door, assuming any common carriers will even continue to deliver.
We expect the House to vote on the bill when it returns from recess the week of July 20th.
