Governor Rick Snyder says he’s troubled by legislation headed his way that would regulate nicotine vapor devices – or e-cigarettes.
That may be a signal the bill is headed for a veto, but the governor says he’s not ready to announce his decision – only that the bill is in for some “special attention.”
“Well, I don’t normally say that so that let you know that it’s going to get some extra review,” he says. “I have concerns about what happens next because one of the real issues is, is it a tobacco product or not and should it be treated like a tobacco product?”
The governor and members of his administration called for treating e-cigarettes as a tobacco product when the bill was before the Legislature. His top health advisors have suggested it should be vetoed.
“You know, I respect the debate that went on in the Legislature, but I don’t think the issue that it’s more of a tobacco product got the full hearing that it should have, and maybe we need to go back and review this,” says Jim Haveman, the governor’s community health director.
Supporters of the legislation say it’s a good first step to ensure minors can’t buy e-cigarettes or nicotine refills. They also say the state should wait for more FDA research on the health effects of nicotine vapor.
