Democrats urge Governor DeWine to veto bill that poses serious health threat to vulnerable children across Ohio

House Bill 513 was fast-tracked during the almost 17-hour lame duck session with neither the health nor the legal consideration it drastically needed.

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and Health Committee Ranking Member Rep. Beth Liston (D-Dublin) today sent a letter to Governor Mike DeWine urging him to use his executive powers to veto House Bill 513 which would strip cities and villages of the right to protect children from dangerous flavored forms of tobacco.

“Allowing this bill to become law would open the gates to a health and safety issue in our primary schools, middle schools and secondary schools across Ohio– likely leading to the death of roughly 259,000 of today's youth to tobacco-related disease,” said House Democrats.

House Bills 513 is undergoing processing by LSC and Clerk staff and will soon be sent to the Governor for his consideration.