ABERDEEN, S.D. (aberdeennews.com) – One of two bills related to vaping and reducing the number of flavors available to customers not only drew criticism, but a death threat for an Aberdeen legislator.
Rep. Carl Perry, R-Aberdeen, said Hughes County law enforcement investigated the threat he received at the end of a voicemail left by a man upset about House Bill 1064.
Perry introduced HB 1064, which was intended to reduce the flavor options for vaping cartridges. According to the bill, the flavors could only be tobacco, mint or menthol.
Perry has previously noted the number of messages he’s received in opposition to this bill. But, he said, two weeks ago, one message crossed the line. Not only was it critical, but threatening as well.
The message advocated for the withdrawal of the bill, which was deferred to the 41st legislative day by the House Health and Human Services Committee on Feb. 18, essentially killing it. In the message, the threatening man repeated said “we vape, we vote” and ended his message with a menacing, “I’m going to kill you.”