In an article published in Tampa Bay Times, anti-smoking groups are still fighting to totally eliminate the habit of smoking by pushing the campaign to ban the sale of e-cigarettes in the free market due to the reported incidents of minors purchasing the tobacco alternative. On the other hand, the proposed bill to ban e-cigarettes in the State is strongly opposed by the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society (McGregory). The root of the issue is the language in the proposed bill stipulating that the local government will not have the power to regulate the sale of e-cigarette. It appears that the anti-smoking groups are not very much aligned with its initiative to eliminate smoking. Observing how the issue of policy making against smoking escalates in Florida suggests a different story and motive.
The anti-smoking group believes that the new Bill will drive the former smoker to go back to tobacco or somehow believes that eliminating the local government’s control over e-cigarette sale will lead to minors getting access to it. The argument over the purpose of the new bill is not mainly the issue. Seeing how interest groups impose their idealism towards the tobacco issue is a manifestation of extensive lobbying in the government. Concerns about health and or the minors being exposed to smoking habits appears to be an argument being used to mask the real initiatives behind the campaign. After reading the article, a quick trip to an e-cigarette store was made to ask the storeowners about their opinion on the proposed Bill. It comes clear that such campaigns are a form of compromise to keep all related industries from losing business.
Works Cited
McGregory, Kathleen. "Anti-smoking groups work to kill e-cigarette bill in Florida." Tampa Bay Times [Tallahassee] 7 Apr. 2014: n. pag. Web. 8 Apr. 2014. <http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/anti-smoking-groups-work-to-kill-e-cigarette-bill-in-florida/2174007>.
