FLORIDA VAPE SHOP BILL

A bill filed in the Florida House would require vape shops to be permitted and regulated by the state. Under the proposal, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, would also have authority over retail establishments that sell e-cigarettes and other vape products. Currently, vape shops in Florida are unregulated. The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said as of January, there had been 2,668 people with lung injuries stemming from e-cigarettes or vaping across the country and 60 people in 27 states have died. But representatives of the heart and cancer associations said they opposed the House plan because they do not believe it will solve the problem. They say a better solution would be to expand the definition of “tobacco products” in Florida law to include e-cigarettes.