LOS ANGELES & SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) today issued the following statement on Senate Bill 140 (SB 140), a measure introduced by Sen. Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), following his withdrawal of the legislation after the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee voted to adopt amendments that were objectionable to the author:

“SFATA recognizes the need for sensible regulation of vapor products and supported a number of policy advancements in SB 140, such as prohibitions on selling to minors, reasonable licensure requirements and child-resistant packaging. Unfortunately, SB 140 took the wrong approach by attempting to classify vapor products the same as combustible tobacco, a notion that was rejected by the committee.

“We reiterate our position that the debate on vapor products should be approached from a science-based position of endeavoring to protect the public health from death and disease caused by smoking, which kills 40,000 adult smokers each year in California and more than 480,000 adults across the country.

“We will continue to work with the California legislature to adopt sensible legislation that addresses the fact that vapor products are significant alternatives to smoking, rather than paving the way for operational burdens for vapor products that provide an alternative for millions of adult smokers.”

About SFATA

Founded in 2012, the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association is the largest trade association in the vapor products industry, representing members across the country, including online retailers, brick-and-mortar vendors, distributors, importers and wholesalers. For more information, visit SFATA.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter @SFATA.