Lane County Commissioners Tuesday voted 3 to 2 to regulate the sales of e-cigarette products. The ordinance would establish tobacco retail licensing and ban e-cigarette sales to minors.
At the Board meeting, Chair Pat Farr referred to the recent death of a child who consumed liquid nicotine, used in e-cigarettes. Holding a small vial of gummy-bear flavored liquid, he asked Lane County Public Health Doctor Patrick Luedke:
Farr: "How many kids will this kill?"
Luedke: "That's enough to kill 4 toddler size humans."
Farr: "Could a 12-year old go into a store and buy this today?"
Luedke: "Absolutely."
Farr: "A 12-year-old could go buy this and hand it out to their brothers and sisters and, look we got gummy bears here, kids."
The County's ordinance aims to keep e-cigarettes out of children's hands. It applies to unincorporated parts of Lane County. Commissioner Jay Bozievich voted against it because of concerns it could be challenged in court. Commissioner Sid Leiken said it needed more public comment. The ordinance takes effect in 30 days.
