How Iowa's vape directory bill would benefit retailers and consumers alike

As a longtime retailer, I stand in support of House File 2677, which awaits Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature. This bill aims to ensure that only legal vape products are sold in our state by creating a directory for retailers to easily identify which products they can stock their shelves with.

Unfortunately, some retailers have come out in opposition to this bill, which inevitably puts them on the side of willfully selling unregulated and unauthorized vaping products. Their opposition also undermines the efforts of responsible retailers seeking to provide harm-reduction alternatives to combustible cigarettes for adult smokers.

Customer safety should be a primary concern for business owners. I take pride in selling products that are legal and meet rigorous standards. House File 2677 aligns with this commitment by restricting the sale of vaping products that have met our Food and Drug Administration’s health and safety standards and have been approved, or are currently seeking approval, from the FDA. This measure is not about stifling innovation or restricting consumer choice; it's about preventing unregulated products from reaching consumers.

The facts show that opposition to House File 2677 is not rooted in a genuine concern for consumer choice or access to less-harmful products.

When similar bills passed in other states, nearly 500 products ended up on Louisiana's directory list, and there are currently 1,602 vaping, e-cigarette, and alternative nicotine products listed on Alabama’s directory. This proves that if House File 2677 were to become law, there would still be plenty of products on the Iowa directory for stores to sell.

Additionally, those claiming they are on the side of providing harm reduction alternatives while opposing this bill are ignoring that the vast majority of the illegal products that they are fighting to continue selling come from China. Only e-cigarette manufacturing sites located within the U.S. are required to register with the FDA and undergo routine inspections. Meanwhile, foreign vaping manufacturers face no obligation for regular oversight, which has resulted in products flooding our country that contain illegal levels of nicotine and even deadly substances like fentanyl. Selling unregulated Chinese vapes does not sound like a type of harm reduction.

By opposing House File 2677, these retailers reveal their true priorities: profit over people.

In contrast, law-abiding retailers like myself are asking for transparency on which products are FDA-approved or currently undergoing the regulatory approval process to ensure that my customers have access to alternative tobacco products that actually reduce harm. Additionally, any retailer who needs to sell illegal products to stay in business might need to consider another line of work.

As retailers, we have a responsibility to prioritize consumer safety, but we are now in the unfortunate position of competing with others who are perfectly happy to continue selling illegal Chinese vapes. That is why I am urging Governor Reynolds to sign this bill into law to protect the interests of law-abiding retailers like us and to ensure the well-being of all Iowans. Together, we can ensure that vaping remains a viable option for those looking to quit smoking while upholding the rigorous public health standards.

Pat Determan is the owner of Lyons Filling Station in Clinton.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa's vape directory bill would benefit retailers and consumers alike