South Carolina Revive Bill to Create Vaping Registry

South Carolina senators are once again attempting to tackle the issue of children’s access to illegal vapes by proposing a bill that would create a registry of vapes and e-cigarettes approved for sale in the state. The bill, which was sent to the Senate floor on Thursday, would base the registry on products that have received approval or are pending approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The Senate Medical Affairs Committee voted to advance the bill, but some senators have expressed their intention to propose changes once it reaches the floor. A nearly identical effort last year passed the Senate unanimously but never received a hearing in the House.

Despite potential disagreements on the specifics of the bill, all 10 senators in the meeting agreed that children have far too much access to vapes. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, who has two sons in middle school, noted, “It’s kind of scary how much this stuff’s in middle schools.”

Some senators have cautioned that relying solely on the FDA’s registry, which only includes tobacco- or menthol-flavored e-cigarettes, could negatively impact businesses selling vapes that are still in the lengthy approval process. Sen. Kimbrell warned, “You’re essentially going to shut them down.”

Senators Kimbrell and Matt Leber, R-Johns Island, have suggested that the state could vet e-cigarettes itself, creating a registry of products likely to receive federal approval. They plan to investigate this option and propose changes when the bill reaches the Senate floor.

However, Sen. Billy Garrett, R-Greenwood, has countered that such a process would be expensive and time-consuming for the office, emphasizing the need for immediate action. “We’ve got to do something now,” Garrett said. “We’ve got to stop it right now.”

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Matthew Ma

Marketing at Ecigator

With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.