Collaborative Research Paper

Background of the Bill S.B. 97 defines e-cigarettes and adds e-cigarettes to existing
cigarette and tobacco product provisions in Chapter 161, Health and Safety Code, as
well as Section 48.01, Penal Code. Key provisions of S.B. 97 August 1996: FDA issues
rules to ban tobacco sales to minors and its advertising near schools or playgrounds
March 2009: FDA adds electronic cigarettes to Import Alert 66-41 and directs the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection to reject the entry of electronic cigarettes into the United
States.
Author is Juan Hinojosa,Alvarado, Garcia, Jose Rodriguez, West, Zaffirini; Sponsors are
Collier, Guillen, Isaac, Paddle. Juan Hinojosa is a Democrat and Texas Senator that first entered
office in January of 2003 and is expect to end his term by January of 2017. He was born in 1946
and is currently an attorney for his hometown, McAllen and a senator for District 20. The
committee served are such of Finance-VC; Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs; Criminal
Justice;Natural Resources and Economic Development. Juan Hinojosa looked at the survey that
was conveyed from High School students and minors that were using the e-cigarette and the
numbers were going up dramatic just in Texas and he could not take it anymore so he suggested
the bill. He said "We now have many minors using e-cigarettes in school because they think it's
a way to avoid smoking regular tobacco cigarettes.

Components of the Bill-Prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to any person younger than 18
years of age; Prohibit anyone younger than 18 years of age from possessing, purchasing,
consuming, or accepting an e-cigarette; Prohibit e-cigarette sales in a manner that permits a
customer direct access to the e-cigarette as well as the installation of a vending machine
containing e-cigarettes ; and Create an offense for selling e-cigarettes to any person who is
younger than 18 years of age. A violation of that section is a Class C misdemeanor and a fine of
up to $500 may be imposed.
Discuss how the bill will be funded. Relating to regulation of the sale, distribution,
possession, use, and advertising of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and tobacco products; amending
provisions subject to a criminal penalty. I do not think that this impact the state budget alone
because people that are over 21 will still be able to buy it and prohibiting means it's more lives
that are being saved. So instead of the budget being demolished, it means that the budget will
increase with the lives saved.
Interest group that supports banning of e-cigarette is American Lung Association
(ALA), American Heath Association, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH); and a group that
oppose the bill are the smokers Club, FORCES International. American Lung Association and
because they are concerned about people smoking in the way that it kills their lungs. It is very
important to take good care of your lung if you want to live longer. FORCES International and
because it is Consumer rights non-profit organization advocating the education of the individual
citizen to make his/her own choice regarding smoking.
State Comparison- Louisiana Senator Rick Gallot is the author and the sponsor is Stuart
Moss. April 24, 2014. The restaurant owners and the people surrounding it are happy to be

eating in the smoke free environment and happy to be able breathe fresh air, but of course there
is a group that goes against it. American Lung Association and The smokers Club.
Compare and Contrast the similarities and differences of bills. 1st Both ban e-cigarette
from public view 2nd Ban for minors under 18 years of age 1st mostly concerned in the
restaurants in Louisiana 2nd Louisiana doesnt say anything about the citations for catching you
while smoking. The bill has a good impact in other states too because it does save lives in a long
run and being secondhand smoke free protects you from being able to be next to someone that
does smoke and in the restaurants or outside in a public view, it gives you an advantage to walk
past fresh air.
Journey of the Bill through the Legislative Process. The bill was filed on 11/10/2014 by
Juan Hinojosa. Bill reported out of Senate committee on Health & Human Services with vote of
9 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Present Not Voting, 0 Absent .Bill reported out of House committee on Public
Health with vote of 11 Ayes, 0 Nays October 1st, 2015 the Governor signed the bill. Bill Goes
into Effect on September 1st 2015.

V. Group Analysis
A.) We think that as Texas grow its economic, having less people in the hospital because of
lung cancer or lung diseases from smoking will be beneficial both financially and brings Texans
families and friends joy. Teens not being allowed to purchase e-cigarettes brings satisfaction to

FDA and it helps prevent both the minor from smoking and people around that minor from
secondhand smoking.
B.) As we discussed in our group, we have came to the conclusion that we are FOR banning
the e-cigarette and AGAINST e-cigarette being allowed for minors. We know the health hazard
that the cigarette has and a person younger than 18 should not smoke it or even purchase it.
C.)

PLAN OF ACTION: Discuss 3 Specific Policy Solutions:

1.) Recommendation 1: Provide a solution to this problem.

2.) Recommendation 2: Provide a second solution to this problem.

3.) Recommendation 3: Provide a third solution to this problem.