Sent to my congressman and both my senators

[MickeyRat]

I sent the following to my congressman and both my senators. Oddly enough, I haven't heard from any of them not a form letter...nothing. Don't know what that means. Regardless, I would encourage all of you to do something similar. Of course I've redacted my name and address which was included in the actual letter.


Dear Senator xxx,

I'm writing this to ask for your help with an issue that concerns me very much. This should not be a partisan issue. It's a health issue and it's one that can save lives. I'm talking about less harmful alternatives to smoking that are gaining in popularity. The ones I've heard about are electronic cigarettes and snus. I use electronic cigarettes

Unlike nicotine patches or gum, these are not nicotine sessation products. They are specifically for replacing cigarettes and intended for long term use. I cannot argue that using these products is as healthy as quitting altogether. However, with all the advertizing, expense, and social stigma associated with smoking, smokers that consider that a reasonable option have already quit. Putting more pressure on them is at best futile and at worst cruel.

It's far more reasonable and humane to encourage an alternative that is less harmful. Electronic cigarettes provide small doses of nicotine and using them is a similar experience to smoking. What they don't have is tar or any of the 4000 other known harmful chemicals in cigarettes. The ones you might be familiar with resemble cigarettes but, the best ones actually don't. They don't produce noxious odors, burn things, leave butts everywhere or any of the other things people find offensive about cigarettes.

To date, the FDA has done everything in it's power to block this life saving product with the most biased of studies and sowing misinformation. The courts have ruled that they are a tobacco product (the nicotine is extracted from tobacco) not a drug delivery device. So, the ban failed. Now the FDA is moving to regulate it. My fear is that the regulations will have the same effect as a ban.

With the exception of nicotine, all of the ingredients in the liquid that is vaporized by these devices (juice) are regarded as safe. One of them is used in vaporizers and hospital air conditioners. There have not been many studies on nicotine separate from tobacco but, the ones that have been done indicate that it's not a carcinogen and likely no more harmful than caffiene.

My doctor regards me as a former smoker. Unfortunately, my wife didn't quit till she got COPD. When she told her pulmonologist she had switched to an electronic cigarette he said, "Great! That won't hurt your lungs!"

The only rationale for a ban is the fact that they cannot be proven to be 100% safe over time. That ignores the fact that they replace a product that is known to be dangerous over time.

The only other negative thing is that because they aren't limited to tobacco flavors, some of the flavors are marketing to children. A stroll down the vodka aisle at the nearest liquor store will demonstrate the fallacy of this argument. Flavor alone does not constitute marketing to children.

Frankly, I expect to receive an answer that mimics the FDA line on this. If you don't find out for yourself, you are condemning thousands of people to an early grave. I can point you to studies that will show the truth of what I have said. Please ask your doctor about them. See what he/she says. If you wish, I'll be happy to come to your office and show you how they work and answer any questions you have.

Please help see to it that the FDA regulations on these products are in line with their known harm to health.

Thank You,

[Luisa]

I sent the following to my congressman and both my senators. Oddly enough, I haven't heard from any of them not a form letter...nothing. Don't know what that means. Regardless, I would encourage all of you to do something similar. Of course I've redacted my name and address which was included in the actual letter.


Dear Senator xxx,

I'm writing this to ask for your help with an issue that concerns me very much. This should not be a partisan issue. It's a health issue and it's one that can save lives. I'm talking about less harmful alternatives to smoking that are gaining in popularity. The ones I've heard about are electronic cigarettes and snus. I use electronic cigarettes

Unlike nicotine patches or gum, these are not nicotine sessation products. They are specifically for replacing cigarettes and intended for long term use. I cannot argue that using these products is as healthy as quitting altogether. However, with all the advertizing, expense, and social stigma associated with smoking, smokers that consider that a reasonable option have already quit. Putting more pressure on them is at best futile and at worst cruel.

It's far more reasonable and humane to encourage an alternative that is less harmful. Electronic cigarettes provide small doses of nicotine and using them is a similar experience to smoking. What they don't have is tar or any of the 4000 other known harmful chemicals in cigarettes. The ones you might be familiar with resemble cigarettes but, the best ones actually don't. They don't produce noxious odors, burn things, leave butts everywhere or any of the other things people find offensive about cigarettes.

To date, the FDA has done everything in it's power to block this life saving product with the most biased of studies and sowing misinformation. The courts have ruled that they are a tobacco product (the nicotine is extracted from tobacco) not a drug delivery device. So, the ban failed. Now the FDA is moving to regulate it. My fear is that the regulations will have the same effect as a ban.

With the exception of nicotine, all of the ingredients in the liquid that is vaporized by these devices (juice) are regarded as safe. One of them is used in vaporizers and hospital air conditioners. There have not been many studies on nicotine separate from tobacco but, the ones that have been done indicate that it's not a carcinogen and likely no more harmful than caffiene.

My doctor regards me as a former smoker. Unfortunately, my wife didn't quit till she got COPD. When she told her pulmonologist she had switched to an electronic cigarette he said, "Great! That won't hurt your lungs!"

The only rationale for a ban is the fact that they cannot be proven to be 100% safe over time. That ignores the fact that they replace a product that is known to be dangerous over time.

The only other negative thing is that because they aren't limited to tobacco flavors, some of the flavors are marketing to children. A stroll down the vodka aisle at the nearest liquor store will demonstrate the fallacy of this argument. Flavor alone does not constitute marketing to children.

Frankly, I expect to receive an answer that mimics the FDA line on this. If you don't find out for yourself, you are condemning thousands of people to an early grave. I can point you to studies that will show the truth of what I have said. Please ask your doctor about them. See what he/she says. If you wish, I'll be happy to come to your office and show you how they work and answer any questions you have.

Please help see to it that the FDA regulations on these products are in line with their known harm to health.

Thank You,

Good for you MickeyRat! Good letter and great for you to take the initiative. It is so important to educate legislators before we are down to the wire on a ban!

[Vocalek]

Excellent. We will soon be launching a campaign that will ask everyone in the U.S. to contact their three Federal legislators.

[MickeyRat]

I thought I'd follow up on this. I just got a call from an aide of my senator's (Richard Burr). He apologized about the delay getting back to me and assured me that the Senator is concerned about it. Lorillard is in NC after all and he is a politician. He agreed that our concern is justified. He did say that there probably won't be any guidance from the FDA before the election. He knew a little bit about PVs. Like most people, I don't think he was aware of the world most of us know about but, he did agree about the health benefits. He assured me that the Senator's office is keeping an eye on it and has been communicating with the FDA on this subject.

This is a politician and I'm sure this isn't a high priority but, it's encouraging that they actually took the time to call me rather than sending a form letter.

[filter]

very nice. are we allowed to copy/paste your work to send to our reps?

[Luisa]

I thought I'd follow up on this. I just got a call from an aide of my senator's (Richard Burr). He apologized about the delay getting back to me and assured me that the Senator is concerned about it. Lorillard is in NC after all and he is a politician. He agreed that our concern is justified. He did say that there probably won't be any guidance from the FDA before the election. He knew a little bit about PVs. Like most people, I don't think he was aware of the world most of us know about but, he did agree about the health benefits. He assured me that the Senator's office is keeping an eye on it and has been communicating with the FDA on this subject.

This is a politician and I'm sure this isn't a high priority but, it's encouraging that they actually took the time to call me rather than sending a form letter.

In my opinion,Mickeyrat you are a hero!

[hellerhighwater]

very nice. are we allowed to copy/paste your work to send to our reps?

I would also like to use this to contact a few federal and state officials. Very informative and well written. Please let us know if we have your permission.

[synthros]

Excellent. We will soon be launching a campaign that will ask everyone in the U.S. to contact their three Federal legislators.

Awesome that's precisely what's needed. Remember the recent copyright fracas(can't remember what they were trying to get passed was called). People let all their representatives know en masse that they were against it. Senators and congress people panicked, that bill died fast and hard. I don't have a good handle on the numbers, I don't know how many of "us" there are. But if there are as many if "us", as I think there are this could be very effective indeed. Count me in!!!

[Luisa]

Awesome that's precisely what's needed. Remember the recent copyright fracas(can't remember what they were trying to get passed was called). People let all their representatives know en masse that they were against it. Senators and congress people panicked, that bill died fast and hard. I don't have a good handle on the numbers, I don't know how many of "us" there are. But if there are as many if "us", as I think there are this could be very effective indeed. Count me in!!!

Good for you! The problem is that most of "us" really do not understand the danger facing availability of ecigs and will not take the time to do anything constructive. I do not know the number of people on this forum,but I would guess that probably only 10% are active members of CASAA and never help them with this battle--either financially or actively lobbying their government representatives.

[MickeyRat]

very nice. are we allowed to copy/paste your work to send to our reps?

I would also like to use this to contact a few federal and state officials. Very informative and well written. Please let us know if we have your permission.

Awesome that's precisely what's needed. Remember the recent copyright fracas(can't remember what they were trying to get passed was called). People let all their representatives know en masse that they were against it. Senators and congress people panicked, that bill died fast and hard. I don't have a good handle on the numbers, I don't know how many of "us" there are. But if there are as many if "us", as I think there are this could be very effective indeed. Count me in!!!

Anyone is welcome to copy that letter and send it to government officials. You have my permission!!!