FDA Senator Ron Johnson sends letter to FDA Cmsnr Califf asking important questions about deeming ban

[sofarsogood]

The attorneys representing the vape companies should be suggesting questions and documents, etc. for the Senate committe to request from the FDA. Trials have a discovery phase but I'm sure the Senate can get more than what discovery can produce. Hopefully the vape industry attorneys are already doing this.

 

[The Ocelot]

I sent an email to Sen. Ron Johnson thanking him for his letter to the FDA. I also submitted a message to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs on their webpage urging all of the Senators to question if the FDA's egregious overstep is really in the public's best interest.

 

[Endor]

I sent an email to Sen. Ron Johnson thanking him for his letter to the FDA. I also submitted a message to the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs on their webpage urging all of the Senators to question if the FDA's egregious overstep is really in the public's best interest.

I did the same, emailing the committee as a whole but skipped emailing Sen. Johnson directly (I'm not a constituent and didn't want to spam him).

I think it is important that we do that. The more voices from the vaping community the committee hears, the more they realize what a travesty the FDA is foisting upon the world is and hopefully spur further investigation and oversight. Certainly, it was probably more useful to me than emailing my US Senators, Boxer and Feinstein, who are already openly anti-vaping.

 

[DC2]

I did the same, emailing the committee as a whole but skipped emailing Sen. Johnson directly (I'm not a constituent and didn't want to spam him).

I think it is important that we do that. The more voices from the vaping community the committee hears, the more they realize what a travesty the FDA is foisting upon the world is and hopefully spur further investigation and oversight. Certainly, it was probably more useful to me than emailing my US Senators, Boxer and Feinstein, who are already openly anti-vaping.

Sometimes I wonder if we should get a Call to Action on something like this.
And then I think maybe not.

Is it better to hear from (hopefully) a few hundred thoughtful and concerned citizens?
Or be bombarded by a few thousand form-letter-type thank you letters?

 

[Rickajho]

Sometimes I wonder if we should get a Call to Action on something like this.
And then I think maybe not.

Is it better to hear from (hopefully) a few hundred thoughtful and concerned citizens?
Or be bombarded by a few thousand form-letter-type thank you letters?

Until we see any equally "thoughtful and concerned" replies from any Senator - instead of form-letter-type responses thanking us for our concern - just go for volume. Because I'm betting that the only time those letters - in thoughtful or form letter fashion - get a Senators attention is when the secretarial staff complains about an issue bringing in a volume of letters so large it requires them to make extra trips to the recycling bin.

 

[Endor]

Until we see any equally "thoughtful and concerned" replies from any Senator - instead of form-letter-type responses thanking us for our concern - just go for volume. Because I'm betting that the only time those letters - in thoughtful or form letter fashion - get a Senators attention is when the secretarial staff complains about an issue bringing in a volume of letters so large it requires them to make extra trips to the recycling bin.

It is a bit of a quandary. I've never worked in government, but I've heard that Senator/Representative/Governor staff simply scan the letters and count up the pro/cons and only report it up the chain if asked by their Senator/Rep/Governor to do so. In that case, volume matters.

However, to a committee like this, it may be different... I don't know.

All that being said, most politicians have a pretty polarized view of vaping already, and tend to fall on party lines to a point. *ALL* of my government representatives, both state and federal, are democrat and against vaping.... so I'm really ...... in the wind when I write to them anyway, as their minds are made up on the matter.

 

[Lannie]

All that being said, most politicians have a pretty polarized view of vaping already, and tend to fall on party lines to a point. *ALL* of my government representatives, both state and federal, are democrat and against vaping.... so I'm really ...... in the wind when I write to them anyway, as their minds are made up on the matter.

Mine are all against vaping, too, and they're all Republicans. Republicans take money from BT and BP lobbyists, too.

 

[Vinnybagodoughnuts]

Can we just keep vaping and get rid of the politicians on August 8th? Now that would be a huge step in improving my mental health.

 

[Endor]

Can we just keep vaping and get rid of the politicians on August 8th? Now that would be a huge step in improving my mental health.

The BP lobbyists have told Congress that they have plenty of FDA-approved pharmaceutical products that can help with improving your mental health... so chalk up another reason to kill vaping!

All kidding aside, I agree... I'd love nothing more that to see these politicians out on the street, replaced with leaders that understand what personal freedom really is and what "government overreach" really means. Certainly this would improve my mental health as well.

 

[Lannie]

We need Statesmen (representatives of The People) rather than Politicians (representatives of The Lobbyists). Like it used to be. A couple hundred years ago...

 

[Kent C]

Mine are all against vaping, too, and they're all Republicans. Republicans take money from BT and BP lobbyists, too.

Sen Thune (R-SD)

Thune E-Cigarette Youth Marketing Hearing Statement

"In 1976, Professor Michael Russell, a leading expert on cigarette addiction, wrote: “People smoke for nicotine but they die from the tar.” The introduction of e-cigarettes, which usually contain nicotine but none of the tar involved in ordinary cigarettes, presents new challenges for policymakers, regulators, and the public health community. It is also a new opportunity for increased public health to the extent that these new products may help reduce the number of individuals who smoke combustible tobacco cigarettes."

" In addition, a recent study by researchers at the University College London on the efforts of people to stop smoking found that e-cigarettes are 60 percent more effective than nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine patches or gum."

" Many e-cigarette companies argue that their product is still an emerging technology, and warn that restrictions on e-cigarettes that do not follow the science may inhibit future innovation to create safer products for existing smokers."

"While I am opposed to smoking in general, I look forward to learning more about the apparent potential of e-cigarettes to reduce harm to current smokers."

 

[Lannie]

How interesting. My robo-reply from him said nothing that would lead me to believe his mind was the least bit open about this. It was the standard, "Thank you for contacting me and I'll take your comments into consideration" letters. He said there was nothing for him to vote on, however, so he was able to bob and weave his way away from the questions.

Maybe I'll write again. And again. And again. Not that he'll ever see any of my letters...

 

[nicnik]

Sen Thune (R-SD)

Thune E-Cigarette Youth Marketing Hearing Statement

"In 1976, Professor Michael Russell, a leading expert on cigarette addiction, wrote: “People smoke for nicotine but they die from the tar.” The introduction of e-cigarettes, which usually contain nicotine but none of the tar involved in ordinary cigarettes, presents new challenges for policymakers, regulators, and the public health community. It is also a new opportunity for increased public health to the extent that these new products may help reduce the number of individuals who smoke combustible tobacco cigarettes."

" In addition, a recent study by researchers at the University College London on the efforts of people to stop smoking found that e-cigarettes are 60 percent more effective than nicotine replacement therapies, such as nicotine patches or gum."

" Many e-cigarette companies argue that their product is still an emerging technology, and warn that restrictions on e-cigarettes that do not follow the science may inhibit future innovation to create safer products for existing smokers."

"While I am opposed to smoking in general, I look forward to learning more about the apparent potential of e-cigarettes to reduce harm to current smokers."

I guess that is the statement he read at that June 2014 hearing, which was staged by the Democrats to look like a replay of the famous hearing where tobacco company executives said they believe nicotine (and a couple of them said smoking) is not addictive.

While the Dems behavior was outrageous, dishonest, agressive, and foolish, Thume handled it with dignity, and a desire to learn, as was supposed to be the purpose of the hearing; informational, not a grandstanding marathon by a bunch of whiny, immature behaving US Senators, claiming to be protecting children.

 

[Endor]

I guess that is the statement he read at that June 2014 hearing, which was staged by the Democrats to look like a replay of the famous hearing where tobacco company executives said they believe nicotine (and a couple of them said smoking) is not addictive.

While the Dems behavior was outrageous, dishonest, agressive, and foolish, Thume handled it with dignity, and a desire to learn, as was supposed to be the purpose of the hearing; informational, not a grandstanding marathon by a bunch of whiny, immature behaving US Senators, claiming to be protecting children.

Indeed, I remember this hearing. There was some outrageous behavior by the Democrats, with my Senator (Boxer) leading the charge in just outright foolishness.

So, I'm curious if the FDA will meet the Tuesday deadline in responding to the committee... if not, it will be interesting to see how much teeth there is with this committee's bark.

 

[jjatl]

FDA Snubs Senate Inquiry as Expected, Committee Will Pursue

 

[Coldrake]

The FDA's response about Senator Johnson's letter.

"FDA spokesman Michael Felberbaum said Thursday the agency is reviewing the letter and “will respond directly to the senator.” "

Senator asks FDA for clarity on consequences of new e-cig rules

 

[Katya]

the agency is reviewing the letter

I'm sure they are reviewing it.

 

[LittleBird]

I'm sure they are reviewing it.

Given that Sen Johnson is the only member of Congress with subpoena power, I think they really are reviewing it. And trying to figure out how to weasel out of formulating a coherent response.

 

[Katya]

Given that Sen Johnson is the only member of Congress with subpoena power, I think they really are reviewing it. And trying to figure out how to weasel out of formulating a coherent response.

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly.

Go Senator Johnson! And don't let them fool you!

 

[LittleBird]

Oh, I agree wholeheartedly.

Go Senator Johnson! And don't let them fool you!

I listened to an interview with him. He's plain spoken and, I think, nobody's fool . I hope he blasts them from here to the moon!