Preparing News response to FDA decision?

[JamieJ]

I was wondering if the ECA, CASAA or some great minds on this forum have thought about preparing a news statement ahead of time to respond to which ever way the FDA rules on this case. It would seem that perhaps this would be an opportune time to have a good response with proper education prepared to send or email to major newpapers or television stations as there is a good chance that the FDA decision will make the news and if we send out info with a contact name and phone number of an organization leader it would be easy for reporters to have a response ready and know someone to contact to hear the our side rather than reporters trying to seek out anyone to comment on their experience with e cigs.

[mtndude]

Great opportunity for combined efforts... once CASAA is established, we will be putting together a Communications team.

I'm sure there are limitless talents to draw from.

[Vocalek]

No need to wait. I have contacted some other writers running for the CASAA board about forming a team now to get started on CASAA's response(s).

[LaceyUnderall]

The ECA has a Rapid Response Kit that is in the final proofing stages now that will be available here asap, which will be available for assistance for local bans and prohibition...

As far as a response to the Judge's ruling... Matt has been forming relationships over the past 5 months with journalists and is ready to go no matter which way the judge decides. These relationships are becoming more sound which is evident from the presence of the ECA and Matt in many news reports lately. It bares well on the communities ability to be heard with the media when the judge does finally make a ruling.

[doots]

great work everyone. keep up the hard work God bless you!

[TropicalBob]

The ECA, the only functioning group at the moment, could do us all a favor by contacting our allies NOW -- Drs. Siegel, Nitzkin, Rodu, Whelan and Laugesen -- and asking if it would be okay to get a statement from them once a decision in this case is handed down.

Then Matt, or an ECA rep, should indeed call them for reaction and quote them in a press release. The mainstream press doesn't know enough about this topic to know whom to contact. They'll call ASH, the American Lung Association, the New Jersey senator. They don't know of Siegel's position, of Rodu's long harm-reduction battle, or Laugesen's Health New Zealand research now almost two years old.

And the press won't give a rat's patootie what any of us think about the decision. We are not important in any way. Get experts ready to react. Do NOT prepare anything sour grapes or conspiratorial in tone. It will be laughed into the circular file. Imagine a few e-addicts questioning the long-deliberated verdict of a federal judge! Laughable.

Let the experts say what needs to be said, and the press will listen. Let everyone else fade away like exhaled vapor.

[LaceyUnderall]

The ECA, the only functioning group at the moment, could do us all a favor by contacting our allies NOW -- Drs. Siegel, Nitzkin, Rodu, Whelan and Laugesen -- and asking if it would be okay to get a statement from them once a decision in this case is handed down.

Then Matt, or an ECA rep, should indeed call them for reaction and quote them in a press release. The mainstream press doesn't know enough about this topic to know whom to contact. They'll call ASH, the American Lung Association, the New Jersey senator. They don't know of Siegel's position, of Rodu's long harm-reduction battle, or Laugesen's Health New Zealand research now almost two years old.

Allies have already been contacted and are waiting

[TropicalBob]

Bravo, bravo. What is not needed is a bunch irate e-smokers getting quoted as being irked by a federal judge's carefully weighed decision. Or shouting about "personal freedoms". Or condemning the President and the FDA. That would be a turnoff to the 4 out of 5 who don't smoke .. and don't care how this goes down.

In order to matter, a name needs modifiers: eg., "Dr. Murray Laugesen, head of Health New Zealand, where studies have been conducted for almost two years .. "

Find those names that have great modifiers. Call 'em "credentials" if you must. Good for you.

[nitewriter]

So CASAA should not prepare a reply? Even if it's constructed in an intelligent and non-condemning way?

[TropicalBob]

No, it should not. It has no standing with the public or press. ECA's Matt Salmon now does. Let ECA handle this one. I look forward to the day when CASSA has earned influence; today is not that day. A knee-jerk reaction, no matter how well-worded, would be a stumble out of the gate. Let ECA work for us on this.