Testimony In Support Of Senate Bill 6447
Bob Ramstad
Seattle Pipe Club Political Liaison

Madame Chair and members of the committee, I am Bob Ramstad from Ballard. I am the political liaison for the Seattle Pipe Club and I support Senate Bill 6447.

Legislation Past

• In the not too distant past, Washington law was quite different
• Tobacco shipments required age verification by the carrier
• This was very similar to other laws around the country
• Court actions in Maine made it clear that this approach was unworkable

Legislation Current

• SSB 5340 was passed last session and is in effect today
• It replaced the Maine style law and is relatively straightforward
• As a result, it is very comprehensive
• Effectively, the law is a complete ban on shipments of tobacco products to residents
• One notable exception is that of cigars, which may be ordered by mail

Legislation Proposed

• The inability to mail order pipe tobacco is a hardship
• Pipes and cigars have a very similar profile in many ways
• They also share a history of similar legislation
• Our goal was a simple, short, and appropriate modification
• Adding pipe tobacco to the list of exemptions is clean
• This bill will allow us to enjoy our hobby as before

Commerce & Labor

• Economics and demographics both work against pipe tobacco
• Pipe tobacco overall is a tiny segment of the industry
• Demand for quality pipe tobacco is very limited as well
• Tobacconists in Washington State are few and have been disappearing fast
• Most are not interested in quality pipe tobacco due to limited demand and short shelf life
• Those who do carry pipe tobacco are forbidden to mail tobacco even to long standing customers
• Local mail delivery is fast, and leverages established relationships with customers
• Pipe smokers that live in rural areas are therefore extremely upset with the status quo
• Some pipe smokers will be forced to purchase less expensive lower quality blends locally
• The status quo most likely results in net revenue loss to the state
• The loss is pronounced if more Washington State tobacconists go out of business

January 14 2010 A