Attention Illinois CASAA members & vapers!! Call to Action!!

[kristin]

If you are not a resident of these states WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP!

Please watch this thread for updates.

Last night, the Vaper's Coalition (a group of representatives from ecig advocacy organizations) & Bill Godshall met to discuss the proposed bans in New York, Illinois and Maryland.

Three members are planning to speak before the legislature in New York next week. We are attempting to put together a group for Maryland, as well.

Regarding Illinois, two of the Coalition's Missouri members are planning to drive to Illinios to speak on the issue, when we find out if and when they are taking comments. However, we need Illinois residents to be available accompany them should the date be set. We need articulate people, with flexible schedules, to be prepared to just tell their story (we'll take care of all the statistical arguments). Please PM me if you would be willing to participate.

Vocalek and I are working to write a form letter for members to print, sign and mail (snail mail is best). Sit tight - that is forthcoming. Our Illinios CASAA area rep, Tiger, is working on getting the "best bet" names & addresses on the review committee to write - probably someone who is a political opponent of the bill's authors. We would also write something for the governor.

If you are willing to write your own letter (whether you are an Illinois resident or not - we want people to write) please write with certain things in mind:

1. Remain calm and reasonable

2. Tell your personal success story. Remember to emphasize that you switched to vaping as an alternative, don't call it "quitting smoking." We don't want to support allegations that this is an "unapproved drug" for quitting smoking!)

3. Do mention that this would have a negative financial impact for Illinois, as there are many vapers and vendors located there.

4. Do mention the decision they came to in the Utah bill - they decided to ban them from minors, but not from legal adults, because it was helping people.

5. Do mention you support banning sale to minors.

6. If you are a resident, mention you voted for them and will not do so again and will urge your friends and family the same, if they pass this legislation.

7. Mention the recent decision by federal Judge Leon, that these are "tobacco products" and that the FDA failed to show that there was any immediate danger to consumers.

Also mention that the AAPHP has petitioned the FDA to retract their misleading statements and declare these devices "tobacco products", because the AAPHP endorses e-cigarettes as a reduced harm product.

Overall - ONE PAGE OR LESS. Don't overwrite, or it will probably not be read.

These are a lot of the points we will be including in our form letter, as well.

Please stay tuned!

[htchhikr]

Coming soon!

[Drozd]

So I mailed off a letter to the governor of Illinois today..granted I stole and reworded parts of things people have said here in other places...but here is what I sent.

Dear Governor Quinn,

I'm not a constituent of yours, nor will I probably ever be. I'm not a resident of Illinois. I do however travel often for both work and recreation to what up until recently I regarded as your fine state.
Recently, however, I became aware of a great matter of public health concern as well as economic concern. That concern is bill SB3174 which is currently in your state House of Representative. More importantly to me is how this bill concerns electronic cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco.
You probably have very limited exposure to facts about these devices, as do most legislators. The FDA and several states are attempting to ban these life-saving devices, forcing thousands of smokers (who have successfully switched completely to these safer devices) back to smoking deadly tobacco cigarettes. The legislators of these states appear to be placing the health of their tax revenues over that of the health of their constituents. While the FDA released a statement denouncing them last year, they failed to mention that e-cigarettes contain no more carcinogens than nicotine gum or patches. They also did very limited testing on only 2 brands. There are other COMPLETE studies available that directly refute the FDA claims about e-cigarettes. A federal judge has recently ruled that e-cigarettes are a form of a "tobacco product," as they are not for quitting, necessarily, but as a less harmful alternative. The case is currently in appeals court. The results of that case as well as the pending PACT act may well invalidate this bill before you anyway resulting in a tremendous waste of time that could have been better spent. The American Association of Public Health Physicians is endorsing the use of electronic cigarettes as a reduced harm alternative for those who can't or won't quit. They have recently petitioned the FDA to retract their deceiving statements and to reconsider their stance that these are drug devices vs. a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Both the state of California and the state of Utah have rejected bans placed before them outright. Seemingly these states legislatures prefer to have all their facts before jumping to action.
Now I'm sure what this really comes down to the state's revenue. I am not so naive as to believe that bills like SB3174 are anything more than an effort to recover taxes the states are losing by decreased tax revenues due to a decrease in cigarette sales. But by all means if anything, propose a tax on the e-cigarettes or the liquids they use, don't just ban them altogether! There are quite a few in the state of Illinois that have made a business of selling these devices and they create jobs, eliminating their business would also cause loss of revenue and jobs in your state.
Let's face facts, many Americans these days are becoming disenfranchised with the course that our government is taking. We have Illegal drugs and guns on our streets. We have millions of Americans unemployed. We are at war (does anyone remember this?) and the US is in a never ending spiral of depression, both economic and personal. And our elected officials are wasting time with healthier alternatives which could potentially create jobs and tax revenue? And it is to my understanding that you are up for re-election. Realistically, are you willing to throw away the votes of those that are trying to become healthier, and less socially unacceptable as well as small business owners that are helping to stimulate the economy in your state. They WILL remember your actions on this issue.
I, personally am an electronic cigarette user. I switched from combustible cigarettes on 11/23/09. I am a cancer survivor. I was encouraged to quit smoking by my oncologist and doctor. All the "traditional" nicotine replacement therapies with their proven, dismal failure rates failed to help me quit. I then discovered the electronic cigarette which because of it's design and the ability to still take in nicotine I was able to eliminate all the additional chemicals and tar and carbon monoxide. My doctor and my oncologist are thrilled with this. I'd also point to the fact that NRTs like the patch and gum are not approved for long term use. I will also point to the fact that with the turmoil that the Nation's health care system is in, people tend to self medicate. It is being found that there are benefits to nicotine in the treatment of people with illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer's, and mental disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Often they self medicate with cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes give these people a possibly better alternative to those combustible cigarettes. Do you really want to be the politician up for re-election that takes that option away from them?
Those in power may well, indeed be trying to get us back on regular cigarettes to raise their tax revenues by eliminating the availability of alternatives like electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. But, please keep in mind that the ultimate passage or failure of this bill will not result in my cessation of using this device. It will probably not result in the cessation of it's use by thousands of your constituents. I am not going back to smoking, so you still will not get that tobacco tax revenue from me. I will continue using my electronic cigarette in the state of Illinois whenever I visit, whether you ban them being sold here or not. If it means obtaining them illegally through black market means, then I will become a criminal. Passage of this bill WILL inspire me to spend less time and money in the state of Illinois.

In short Please Veto Bill SB3174 if it crosses your desk... For the sake of the health, happiness, and well being of your constituents; For the good of your re-election efforts; For the good of your state and the revenue it generates. Bill SB3174 will hurt the state of Illinois more than it helps.


Sincerely,



"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." -Thomas Jefferson

[miss MiA]

....................
Edit: Uncertain if post was too OT so will save bulk of it for another place or time. (Raised possibility of contact with a noninflammatory area radio host who's somewhat friendly with and occasionally interviews Pat Quinn; and who I've thought might be very interested in both the plight of and use of ecigs himself. Possibility for helping bring attention and perspective to this and the larger story in Illinois.) No idea tho where best to put that or if those kinds of contacts are thought advisable here. PM fine if any of you think so. Thanks for your efforts all.

[Interstink]

"7. Mention the recent decision by federal Judge Leon, that these are "tobacco products" and that the FDA failed to show that there was any immediate danger to consumers."

S1147
Little worried about this one... Calling an ecig and/or eliquid a "tobacco product" may allow government to prevent the distribution (Shipping via. USPS, UPS, etc.) over state lines.

They do state this Bill is to reclaim taxes for high tobacco tax states, but I can also see this as a way to stop the distribution of other "smokeless tobacco products".

[Tiger]

These are the Representatives that are associated with the Senators that voted Nay for Bill SB3174.

Representative Patricia R. Bellock (R)
47th District

Springfield Office:
227-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1448
(217) 782-2289 FAX

District Office:
1 S. Cass Ave.
Westmont Centre, Suite 205
Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 852-8633
(630) 852-6530 FAX
DuPage County
Committee assignments: Investigative Committee; Medicaid Reform, Family & Children (Chairperson); Financial Institutions; Appropriations-Human Services; Human Services (Republican Spokesperson); Labor; Mass Transit.
Associated Senator(s): Kirk W. Dillard


Representative Michael G. Connelly (R)
48th District

Springfield Office:
208-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8028

District Office:
25W380 Chicago Avenue
Suite 100
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 579-4848
(630) 579-4860 FAX
DuPage County
Email: Repconnelly48@gmail.com
Committee assignments: Public Utilities; Health Care Availability Access; Appropriations-Public Safety; Judiciary I - Civil Law; Business Occupational Licenses; Veterans' Affairs; Tourism & Conventions.
Associated Senator(s): Kirk W. Dillard


Representative Charles E. Jefferson (D)
67th District
Assistant Majority Leader

Springfield Office:
109 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-3167
(217) 557-7654 FAX

District Office:
200 S. Wyman #304
Rockford, IL 61101
(815) 987-7433
(815) 987-7225 FAX
Winnebago County
Email: staterepchuck67@aol.com
Committee assignments: Aging; Consumer Protection; Labor; Public Utilities; Juvenile Justice Reform; Consumer Regulation; Tourism & Conventions; Public Utilities Subcommittee (Sub-Chairperson).
Associated Senator(s): Dave Syverson


Representative Dave Winters (R)
68th District

Springfield Office:
215-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0455
(217) 782-1139 FAX

District Office:
3444 N. Main, Suite 80
Rockford, IL 61103
(815) 282-0083
(815) 282-0085 FAX
Winnebago County
Committee assignments: Railroad Industry; Environment & Energy; Electric Generation & Commerce (Republican Spokesperson); Electric Utility Oversight (Republican Spokesperson); Youth and Family; Environmental Health; O'Hare Airport Environmental Impact; Telecommunications Committee.
Associated Senator(s): Dave Syverson


Representative Ronald A. Wait (R)
69th District

Springfield Office:
219-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0548
(217) 782-5257 FAX

District Office:
411 S. State Street
Belvidere, IL 61008
(815) 547-7771
(815) 547-7767 FAX
Boone County
Email: repwait777@aol.com
Committee assignments: Transportation, Regulation, Roads; Cities & Villages; Judiciary I - Civil Law; State Government Administration (Republican Spokesperson); Appropriations-Public Safety; Veterans' Affairs; Judiciary II - Criminal Law; Minority Procurement; Constitutionality and Redundancy; Enhancement of Criminal Penalties; Expansion of Sex Offenses and Sex.
Associated Senator(s): J. Bradley Burzynski


Representative Robert W. Pritchard (R)
70th District

Springfield Office:
200-3N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0425
(217) 782-1275 FAX

District Office:
2600 DeKalb Avenue, Suite C
Sycamore, IL 60178
(815) 748-3494
(815) 748-4630 FAX
DeKalb County
Email: bob@pritchardstaterep.com
Committee assignments: Approp-Elementary & Secondary Educ; Insurance; Financial Institutions; Appropriations-Higher Education; Elementary & Secondary Education; Higher Education (Republican Spokesperson); Veterans' Affairs.
Associated Senator(s): J. Bradley Burzynski


Representative Jim Sacia (R)
89th District

Springfield Office:
210-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8186
(217) 558-7016 FAX

District Office:
50 W. Douglas St.
Stewart Centre Suite 1001
Freeport, IL 61032
(815) 232-0774
(815) 232-0777 FAX
Winnebago County
Email: JimSacia@aeroinc.net
Committee assignments: Investigative Committee; Agriculture & Conservation (Republican Spokesperson); Prison Reform (Republican Spokesperson); Juvenile Justice Reform; International Trade & Commerce; Veterans' Affairs; Judiciary II - Criminal Law; Appropriations-Public Safety; Tourism & Conventions.
Associated Senator(s): Tim Bivins


Representative Jerry L. Mitchell (R)
90th District

Springfield Office:
630 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-0535
(217) 557-0571 FAX

District Office:
100 E. 5th St.
Rock Falls, IL 61071
(815) 625-0820
(815) 625-0839 FAX
Whiteside County
Email: repjmitchell@comcast.net
Committee assignments: Approp-Elementary & Secondary Educ; Elementary & Secondary Education (Republican Spokesperson); Public Policy & Accountability; Railroad Industry; Veterans' Affairs; School Transportation; Charter Schools; Tourism & Conventions.
Associated Senator(s): Tim Bivins


These are the Representatives that are on the Rules Committee.

Chairperson :
Representative Barbara Flynn Currie (D)
25th District
Majority Leader

Springfield Office:
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8121
(217) 524-1794 FAX

District Office:
1303 E. 53rd Street
Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 667-0550
(773) 667-3010 FAX
Cook County
Committee assignments: Rules (Chairperson); Investigative Committee (Chairperson); Revenue & Finance; Joint Comm. on Government Reform; Income Tax (Sub-Chairperson).
Associated Senator(s): Kwame Raoul


Republican Spokesperson :
Representative William B. Black (R)
104th District
Deputy Republican Leader

Springfield Office:
314 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-4811
(217) 782-1873 FAX

District Office:
7 E. Fairchild
Danville, IL 61832
(217) 431-1986
(217) 431-2088 FAX
Vermilion County
Email: wbblack@sbcglobal.net
Committee assignments: Rules (Republican Spokesperson); Investigative Committee; Transportation, Regulation, Roads; Financial Institutions; Appropriations-Higher Education; Railroad Industry.
Associated Senator(s): Michael W. Frerichs


Member:
Representative Lou Lang (D)
16th District
Deputy Majority Leader
Springfield Office:
109 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1252
(217) 782-9903 FAX

District Office:
4121 Main Street
Skokie, IL 60076
(847) 673-1131
(847) 982-0393 FAX
Cook County
Email: langli@ilga.gov
Committee assignments: Investigative Committee; Insurance; Judiciary I - Civil Law; Rules; Joint Comm. on Government Reform; Telecommunications Committee.
Associated Senator(s): Ira I. Silverstein


Member:
Representative Timothy L. Schmitz (R)
49th District
Deputy Republican Leader

Springfield Office:
224-N Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-5457
(217) 782-1138 FAX

District Office:
127 Hamilton Street
Suite D
Geneva, IL 60134
(630) 845-9590
(630) 845-9592 FAX
Kane County
Email: info@timschmitz.org
Committee assignments: Appropriations-Human Services; Human Services; Labor (Republican Spokesperson); Environmental Health; Rules; Health Care Availability Access; Telecommunications Committee; Medicaid Reform Subcommittee.
Associated Senator(s): Chris Lauzen


Member:
Representative Arthur L. Turner (D)
9th District
Deputy Majority Leader
Springfield Office:
300 Capitol Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-8116
(217) 782-0888 FAX

District Office:
3849 W. Ogden Avenue
Chicago, IL 60623
(773) 277-4700
(773) 277-4703 FAX
Cook County
Committee assignments: Rules; Investigative Committee; Executive; Prison Reform; Revenue & Finance; Joint Comm. on Government Reform; Sales and Other Taxes (Sub-Chairperson); Telecommunications Committee.
Associated Senator(s): Rickey R. Hendon


Governor of Illinois.


Pat Quinn (D)

Springfield Office:
207 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-6830
(217) 524-4049 FAX

James R. Thompson Center:
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph Street, Ste. 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 814-2121
(312) 814-6775 FAX

[kristin]

UPDATE!! PLEASE READ!!

This just in from Treece:

I talked to both the Rules Committee office and the Assemblymember's office (Colvin, who's sponsoring the bill in the House) this morning.

The bill isn't expected to be assigned to a committee until after Easter, but I'll be checking it every day.

Colvin's secretary suggested calling once the bill is assigned to a committee.

Once it's assigned to a committee, I think that will be the time to start writing letters, etc.

Also, please don't post extra stuff in this thread other than important questions or relevant news - I don't want the updates to get lost!

[kristin]

Originally Posted by Interstink

"7. Mention the recent decision by federal Judge Leon, that these are "tobacco products" and that the FDA failed to show that there was any immediate danger to consumers."

S1147
Little worried about this one... Calling an ecig and/or eliquid a "tobacco product" may allow government to prevent the distribution (Shipping via. USPS, UPS, etc.) over state lines.

They do state this Bill is to reclaim taxes for high tobacco tax states, but I can also see this as a way to stop the distribution of other "smokeless tobacco products".

I think that is the least of our worries , but you can omit the part about tobacco products and quote the part where he said the FDA failed to show the public danger.

[MechTechVpr]

Has there been any movement on this bill ...anyone working on the Maryland issue / looking for people to go to Maryland

[CES]

I haven't heard anything new about Illinois, but the Maryland bill to ban died in committee.