On Feb. 28, during a debate on the House floor on House
Bill 112, sponsor Rep. Paul Ray insinuated that members of the
electronic-cigarette industry had misled him on their support of his
bill. As the only industry representative that Ray has met with this
session, this could not be further from the truth.
The Utah Vapers
has attempted to meet with Ray for three out of the past four years in
which he has been sponsoring bills to control the electronic-cigarette
industry in Utah. During this period, we have had one formal meeting,
lasting just shy of one hour, and one 15-minute meeting in the foyer of
the House building prior to a 2014 interim session.
His claims that
he has worked with the industry simply are not accurate, and his
statements during the Feb. 28 session were insulting.
His final
summation and post-session statement that he is going to continue to try
to further modify the bill before it is presented to the Senate are
reminiscent of a toddler throwing a temper tantrum who goes to the other
parent to get his way. We find these actions conduct unbecoming of an
elected leader, and those of one who acts based on a personal vendetta
rather than for the public.
Aaron Frazier
Founder, Utah Vapers Association
West Valley