TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey will take up legislation to curtail access to e-cigarettes amid concerns about vaping illnesses, as well as a proposed bond to replace pipes after lead was found in drinking water, a top lawmaker said Thursday.
Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney, who sets the agenda in the Senate, said the issues will come before lawmakers in the lame duck session after the Nov. 5 election. Earlier this month, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy pressed for legislative action on vaping and water infrastructure. Members of the Assembly, but not the Senate, are on the ballot this year.
Gina Wilder, a spokeswoman for Democratic Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin said lawmakers are preparing legislation to regulate the vaping industry. On water infrastructure, she added that Assembly members are gathering information on “the necessity of providing all New Jerseyans with quality and safe drinking water.” She said legislation will be coming.
Murphy said he wants to ban flavored e-cigarettes in response to a nationwide concern over mysterious illnesses linked to vaping. The idea came from the report by the governor’s task force on e-cigarettes that also recommended barring the online sale of vaping devices and supplies as well as increasing penalties for retailers who knowingly sell to underage buyers.
Murphy also seeks a $500 million bond to finance lead pipe replacement across the state after tests showed some lead in Newark’s water.
Sweeney, though, indicated he’ll seek changes to Murphy’s proposals.
On vaping, he said he wants to try to limit the availability of the e-cigarettes, though he stopped short detailing his plan.
“It’s just too available,” he said. “We have an epidemic.”
Sweeney earlier said he wanted to phase in a ban on all vaping products.
On the debt to finance lead pipe replacement, Sweeney said he thinks the state will need more than the $500 million Murphy is seeking but didn’t specify how much. He also questioned whether it was right for residents in towns and cities who already replaced their lead service lines to pay again through the proposed bond.
Voters must sign off on new debt through ballot questions, and Sweeney said he expects the referendum to be before the electorate next year.
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