when can we expect to see some more action

[eplanet]

1) This is the first comment I've ever made about the ECF, so suggesting that I "keep knocking the ECA" is flat wrong.

Not directed at you..

2) I am not trying to "discredit the ECA" in any way, shape or form. What I'm trying to do is suggest that the KPTV report was a dropped ball. The ECA needs a higher profile on local news shows and in local papers. I see reporting like this go unchallenged all the time. I don't expect the ECA to be there to counter every single report but when we're talking about a station in a top 25 market who made it known that they were doing a report on this subject well in advance, it makes no sense that the ECA wasn't able to martial enough resources to at least speak to the reporter by phone. I did what I could to educate Ms. Tomlinson on the topic, but I don't have the same authority that the ECA does, so my input fell on mostly deaf ears.

I certainly agree...

3) It's all well and good to suggest that we "play nice," but it's a little hollow when you launched the first attack by admonishing us to "get off [our] @$$es and do something."

perhaps I over reacted, don't take it personally...There are a lot of complainers that do nothing and obviously you are not one of them. Thank you for all you have done, Like I have said it is greatly appreciated.

Peace...

[Babachoo]

You sound just like a politician now. Maybe someone else can actually answer some questions. And we ask these questions because we are indeed looking for an ally. But all we have found thus far is a group of people who are busy doing things they can't discuss, repeatedly attack us anytime we ask them questions, and then when they realize how wrong they are, they just spout the whole "common ground" "let's unite" rhetoric, but that doesn't work because you're still not answering the questions, and half the people who originally asked the questions have left the proverbial room and decided that your PR efforts at your own potential allies are so rediculous that they could care less if you ever actually answer anything.

I'm not sure why I still have hope that the ECA will ever step up and act like a professional organization and join our fight on all fronts, I really don't. But hopefully they'll weed out all the people that make them look so terrible and let someone with some experience with customer service handle the duties of conversing with potential allies. Not sure how long my patience will last.

[Surf Monkey]

I certainly agree...

So, why do you think this opportunity was missed, and what do you think the ECA will do to make sure a similar situation doesn't arise in the future?

If I were you, I'd get on the phone with Kerry Tomlinson at KPTV today. Their report aired yesterday and she's still taking comments on it. There's a very real possibility that KPTV will do a followup if they get enough feedback from authoritative sources. My dialogue with Tomlinson is open, but we need teeth behind our push-back on their biased reporting.

[halopunker]

So, why do you think this opportunity was missed, and what do you think the ECA will do to make sure a similar situation doesn't arise in the future?

I couldn't tell you why this opportunity was missed, but I can make a suggestion on how situations like these can be resolved in the future. There is a Contact Page on the ECAssoc.org, how about informing the ECA about said 'opportunities' so they are not missed.

The internet is a vast place, and I for one can not keep on top of everything that is out there. I try to, trust me I do. The thought never crossed my mind to inform the ECA about the advance story, nor do I know if the ECA Contacted the news station to comment on said story. But I can tell you that I, from now on, will report any future stories that are presented in advance to the ECA. I urge you, and everyone else, to do the same.

[LaceyUnderall]

surf - do you have a link to the report so I can forward?

[Surf Monkey]

surf - do you have a link to the report so I can forward?

Indeed.

Video

[LaceyUnderall]

Thank you. I am forwarding that on to the board members and Matt.

[Surf Monkey]

I couldn't tell you why this opportunity was missed, but I can make a suggestion on how situations like these can be resolved in the future. There is a Contact Page on the ECAssoc.org, how about informing the ECA about said 'opportunities' so they are not missed.

Excellent advice! I'll bookmark that page and make sure to note any forthcoming reporting on the subject. I know a lot of people who work for the various media outlets in Portland, so I get some advanced notice on things like this from time to time.

[LaceyUnderall]

Also, another note: This was actually a very well done piece. They are doing an investigative piece on one company, Smoking Everywhere, and determining whether the marketing claims are all they are cracked up to be. We all know on this forum that this is exactly why the Ecig is in the situation it is: Because companies like Smoking Everywhere put their kiosks in malls and completely ignored any marketing FDA regulations what so ever.

Now the two things the ECA could retort would be 1. The fact that they quoted two pharmaceutical reps (Kaiser and ALA) to offer a quote and 2. The dissent against Laugesen's study considering that the dissent provides the FDA with biased reports, funded by the group/company wanting to get their product FDA approved. ie: It is not unusual for a company or a manufacturer to provide the payment for studies. It happens with 99% of the drugs currently on the market that are FDA approved.

As I noted, I did forward this piece on.

[LaceyUnderall]

Excellent advice! I'll bookmark that page and make sure to note any forthcoming reporting on the subject. I know a lot of people who work for the various media outlets in Portland, so I get some advanced notice on things like this from time to time.

That would be awesome! For anyone else rolling through this thread who may be able to do the same thing... please if you are willing, bookmark Contact The ECA | Electronic Cigarette Association it would be greatly appreciated.