The Utah House passed a bill Tuesday that would ban the sale of nicotine-laced candies.

Rep. Paul Ray, R-Clearfield, said that while the candies are not currently in Utah, he expects they are on their way and they pose a threat to children.

"We need to protect our children before they get addicted to nicotine," Ray said, "because that will get them addicted to tobacco later in life."

HB71 would not apply to smoking-cessation gum and other aids that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

It would make the sale of the candy a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $750.

Ray removed language that would have restricted advertising, conceding it "may be in a gray area constitutionally."

The House also stripped wording that would have banned electronic cigarettes, which turn a liquid into vapor to simulate smoking without producing toxic smoke. They are marketed as a smoking-cessation aid.

The measure passed 54-17 and now goes to the Senate.

Robert Gehrke