Florida Petroleum Council objects to forcing voters to decide on the use of electronic cigarettes and the future of oil and gas drilling in the state

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2018 – The Florida Petroleum Council today raised strong objection  to the Florida’s Constitution Revision Commission’s (CRC) approval of a measure to tie an offshore drilling measure with a vaping ban without any public debate.

“Monday’s decision will force Florida’s voters to vote for or against two completely unrelated, but important, issues at the same time,” said Executive Director David Mica. “Bundling these issues is mixing apples and oranges, and this decision, made without any public debate, could harm jobs, the state economy, tax revenues, and our long-term energy future.”

“Domestic oil and natural gas development is a key driver of Florida’s economy – supporting high-paying jobs and investments in our state. Linking this important decision with electronic cigarette use just doesn’t make sense. Voters should be able to make decisions on public health and its economic future separately.”

The Florida Petroleum Council is a division of API, which represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Its more than 625 members produce, process, and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry also supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. Learn more at www.api.org.

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