2015 Concluded CTA's

[Robino1]

URGENT - Washington DC

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has introduced the city’s budget for 2016. The proposal includes the “Vapor Product Amendment Act of 2015” which would tax e-cigarettes at the same rate as other tobacco products which is an unjustifiable 70% of wholesale.

Please take action NOW by sending an email to city council members urging them to remove this harmful tax from the budget.

• Oppose Vapor Taxes in DC - Send an Email

Please also make plans to attend this hearing*:

Friday, May 8th at 10:00 AM
Council Chamber - Room 500
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20004​

*Persons wishing to testify should email committee staff persons to ask that your name be added to the list.

• Sarina Loy (sloy@dccouncil.us, 202-724-8058)
  
• Brian McClure (bmcclure@dccouncil.us, 202-724-8112)

While a speaking position is not guaranteed, members of the public may be permitted to testify even if they do not sign up in advance. (Even if you are not planning to testify, your presence is encouraged as it demonstrates the large number of people affected by and engaged in this issue. As a sign of respect, please refrain from vaping in the capitol building. Please also dress accordingly -- no sweatpants and t-shirts.)
_______________________
UPDATE-
Update 4-30-15:

To testify: Anyone may testify at this Hearing.

• To do so, as soon as possible (and no later than by Wednesday, May 6th) call the Committeeof the Whole office at 202-724-8196to register as a witness.
• Witnesses can submit a copy of written testimony to Nyasha Smith, Secretary to the Council of the District of Columbia (Suite 5, Wilson Building,1350 Pennsylvania Av NW, DC 20004) by Thursday, May 7th.
• If a witness does not provide a copy of the written testimony to the Secretary's Office the day before the Hearing but wishes to have written testimony as part of the record, he or she must bring 15 copies with them to the Hearing.

Time allotted to speak/testify: 3 minutes (but written testimony can be longer).

The record remains open for only two days for submission of testimony for the record.

To observe: Seats are available in the Council Chamber for interested parties and visitors to observe the proceedings. We have been told that signs/posters are not allowed. (Even if you are not planning to testify, your presence is encouraged as it demonstrates the large number of people affected by and engaged in this issue. As a sign of respect, please refrain from vaping in the capitol building. Please also dress accordingly -- no sweatpants and t-shirts.)
__________________
URGENT UPDATE -
(Update 06.12.15)

Final consideration of The District’s Budget is set for Tuesday, June 16th. The excessive and unjustifiable tax on vapor products is STILL in the budget.

There are a couple of points to know about this tax:

1. Vapor products will misleadingly be taxed at the same rate as combustible cigarettes -- 70% wholesale.
2. The language makes no distinction between the Cigarette Tax versus the Vapor Tax. This means that, in the future, when (not if) the City Council decides to raise the cigarette tax, the tax on vapor products will rise along with it.

At this time, the budget is far enough along in the process that there is only one person who has significant influence over the outcome. Please take a moment now to call and email Chairman Phil Mendelson and urge him to remove the vapor products tax. We have provided his contact information below.

Chairman Phil Mendelson pmendelson@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8032
Even if you’ve already participated in our previous updates, please take action again. We have provided a fully editable, pre-written email that you are encouraged to “customize” with your personal story about how vaping has helped you. It is imperative that the chairman hears about your success stories.

• Oppose Vapor Taxes in DC - Send an Email

Call to Action: CASAA: Washington, DC Call to Action: Oppose a 70% Tax on Vapor Products

ECF Discussion: Washington, DC Call to Action: Oppose a 70% Tax on Vapor Products | E-Cigarette Forum


(Writing Tip #1) If you have a lot to say, please craft your email in a separate word doc and then copy/paste it into the field provided. If you take too long, they system will time out and you will lose your work.
(Writing Tip #2) Although we've provided a prewritten email with compelling talking points, we would strongly encourage you to edit the email because personalized communications to legislators are far more persuasive than form letters. At a minimum, PLEASE INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY (just a few sentences) in the text of your email.

 

[Robino1]

URGENT Local CTA - Montgomery Co., MD

Bill 15-15 would establish a 30% wholesale tax on electronic cigarettes sold in Montgomery County. Moreover, the county council will be granted the authority to raise the tax rate each year simply by passing a resolution.

Please take action NOW by sending an email to County Councilmembers. We have also provided phone numbers in the Call to Action (link below).

• Oppose Bill 15-15 - Send an Email

Please make plans to attend this hearing:
TUESDAY, May 5th at 7:30 PM.

Council Hearing Room
100 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850

Even if you are not planning to testify, your presence is encouraged as it demonstrates the large number of people affected by and engaged in this issue. Although the indoor vaping ban in Montgomery County has not yet become law, as a sign of respect, please refrain from vaping in the county office building. Please also dress accordingly -- no sweatpants and t-shirts.

Call to Action: CASAA: Montgomery Co., MD - Oppose a 30% wholesale tax on vapor products (Local Call to Action)

ECF Discussion: Montgomery Co., MD - Oppose a 30% wholesale tax on vapor products (Local Call to Action) | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Hawaii
(Update 4.30.15)

First, HB 145 SD1 would deceptively redefine “tobacco products” to include electronic cigarettes for the purpose of imposing a punitive and unreasonable 80% wholesale tax on vapor products.

This bill is currently being heard in the conference committee Thursday, April 30th at 9:15 AM.

Please take action NOW by sending a message to your lawmakers and committee members urging them to oppose this bill.

• Oppose HB 145 - Send an Email

Second, please also participate in the Hawaii Vapers United Call to Action for SB 1030 and HB 525 here.

Call to Action: CASAA: Hawaii Call to Action: Multiple bills threaten access to and use of electronic cigarettes!

ECF Discussion: Hawaii Call to Action: Multiple bills threaten access to and use of electronic cigarettes! | E-Cigarette Forum
________________________________________________________________
(Writing Tip #1) If you have a lot to say, please craft your email in a separate word doc and then copy/paste it into the field provided. If you take too long, they system will time out and you will lose your work.

(Writing Tip #2) Although we've provided a prewritten email with compelling talking points, we would strongly encourage you to edit the email because personalized communications to legislators are far more persuasive than form letters. At a minimum, PLEASE INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY (just a few sentences) in the text of your email.

 

[Robino1]

Urgent Local Westchester Co., NY

Take action now to oppose Countywide indoor vaping ban.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators will hold a public hearing regarding RES-2015-41 which would amend The Smoke Free Worksite Law to include prohibiting the use of electronic cigarettes in all places of employment.

Monday, May 11th, 2015
7:00 PM
800 (8th floor) Michaelian Office Bldg.
148 Martine Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
Main Tel: (914) 995-2800​

Please make plans to attend this meeting. Public comments are heard during the first 30 minutes of the Board meeting. You should arrive 30 minutes early and sign up for one of the 3 minute time slots.

Call to Action: CASAA: Westchester Co., NY - Local Alert: Take action NOW to oppose Countywide indoor vaping ban!

ECF Discussion: Local Call to Action: Westchester Co., NY | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Kansas

It is likely that tax language regarding electronic cigarettes will be added to a tobacco tax bill in Kansas. As soon as more details emerge, we will update this alert. In the meantime, we are asking Kansas advocates to take action by sending a message to lawmakers urging them to oppose ANY taxes on vapor products.
Please take action NOW and send a message to Kansas lawmakers urging them to oppose ANY taxes on vapor products.

• Oppose a KS Vapor Tax - Send an Email

____________
Update
(Update - 06.01.15)

Tax language is on the move in the Kansas Senate TONIGHT. We are now receiving intel that this is a $0.20/ml tax on e-liquid that is being inserted into a budget bill. It is likely the bill will be voted on tonight, Monday, June 1st, 2015.

Please, even if you have already sent an email, send another message to your state senator urging them to oppose ANY extra tax on vapor products.

• Oppose a KS Vapor Tax - Send an Email

Please stay on alert as this will likely move on to the house for consideration tomorrow. We will issue updates as this bill moves through the process.

___________
UPDATE

(Update - 06.02.15)


Last night, a budget bill amendment that would have imposed a $0.20/ml tax on e-liquid was debated on the floor of the senate. Most of the amendment was defeated including the vapor tax. However, as many Kansans are aware, there remains a very large gap in the state’s budget. Although this amendment did not succeed, the budget shortfall remains and lawmakers will be scrambling over the next few days to find untapped or underutilized sources of revenue. It is likely we will see an attempt to tax e-cigarettes again.


The next few days are likely to be chaos in the Kansas legislature which is why it is vital that harm reduction advocates reach out to lawmakers and urge them to oppose any attempt to tax e-cigarettes.

• Oppose a KS Vapor Tax - Send an Email

____________
URGENT UPDATE

(Update - 06.08.15)
Last night (Sunday, June 7th, 2015), the Kansas Senate approved a bill that would impose the 20 cent per milliliter tax on e-liquid. Fortunately, the tiered distribution system that was mentioned in previous updates was stripped out of the plan.
The bill now moves to the house and will be voted on around 2:00 PM today.
It is absolutely imperative that everyone in Kansas oppose this tax. Please take action now by sending your representative a message urging them to oppose ANY tax on vapor products in Kansas.

• Oppose Vapor Taxes in Kansas - Send an Email

Call to Action: CASAA: Kansas Call to Action: Oppose ANY new tax on vapor products!

ECF Discussion: Kansas Call to Action: Oppose ANY new tax on vapor products! | E-Cigarette Forum

(Writing Tip #1) If you have a lot to say, please craft your email in a separate word doc and then copy/paste it into the field provided. If you take too long, they system will time out and you will lose your work.
(Writing Tip #2) Although we've provided a prewritten email with compelling talking points, we would strongly encourage you to edit the email because personalized communications to legislators are far more persuasive than form letters. At a minimum, PLEASE INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY (just a few sentences) in the text of your email.

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Pennsylvania

HB 682 would deceptively redefine “smoking” to include the use of e-cigarettes for the purpose of banning vaping in the same places where smoking is currently prohibited. This bill is scheduled for a hearing in the House Health Committee on Monday, June 15th, at 11:00 AM. Testimony at this hearing will be by invitation only.

In light of the fact that the committee will not be considering public comment at Monday’s hearing, please take this opportunity to email your Representatives NOW.

Oppose HB 682 - Send an Email​

Call to Action: CASAA: Oppose an indoor vaping ban in Pennsylvania (HB 682)

ECF Discussion: Oppose an indoor vaping ban in Pennsylvania (HB 682) | E-Cigarette Forum

(Writing Tip #1) If you have a lot to say, please craft your email in a separate word doc and then copy/paste it into the field provided. If you take too long, they system will time out and you will lose your work.

(Writing Tip #2) Although we've provided a prewritten email with compelling talking points, we would strongly encourage you to edit the email because personalized communications to legislators are far more persuasive than form letters. At a minimum, PLEASE INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY (just a few sentences) in the text of your email.

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Utah
The Utah Legislature will once again be entertaining the prospects of enacting taxes on vapor products as the Revenue and Taxation Interim Committee meets on

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015
2:30 PM
Rm 445, State Capitol​

Agenda: http://le.utah.gov/Interim/2015/html/00002676.htm

Please take action NOW by sending committee members a message urging them to oppose ANY additional taxes on vapor products. Please remember to add your personal story to the message (see “writing tips” below).

Oppose UT Vapor Taxes - Send an Email
​

For up-to-date announcements regarding this meeting and additional opportunities to take action, please see the Call to Action from Utah Smoke Free Association.

Call to Action: CASAA: Washington, DC Call to Action: Oppose a 70% Tax on Vapor Products

ECF Discussion: Utah Call to Action - Oppose ANY new taxes on vapor products. | E-Cigarette Forum

(Writing Tip #1) If you have a lot to say, please craft your email in a separate word doc and then copy/paste it into the field provided. If you take too long, they system will time out and you will lose your work.

(Writing Tip #2) Although we've provided a prewritten email with compelling talking points, we would strongly encourage you to edit the email because personalized communications to legislators are far more persuasive than form letters. At a minimum, PLEASE INSERT YOUR PERSONAL STORY (just a few sentences) in the text of your email.

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - FDA - 3rd Workshop Call To Action

The first of three FDA Workshop was held in December 2014, the second in March 2015, and the third in June 2015. You have until July 2nd, 2015 to submit comments on all three workshops. (Please see: CASAA Call to Action for First FDA Workshop and CASAA Call to Action for Second FDA Workshop for details and instructions for commenting on the first two workshops.) Those workshops offered more critical opportunities for consumer input, so if you have not responded to those CTAs, you might want to start with one or both of them rather than this one.

This Call to Action includes instructions for commenting on the Third Workshop Regarding E-Cigarettes held 1-2 June 2015.


CASAA Call to Action: FDA Call to Action: Submit comments on FDA’s Third Workshop Regarding E-Cigarettes

ECF Discussion: FDA Call to Action: Submit comments on FDA’s Third Workshop Regarding E-Cigarettes. | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Robino1]

URGENT Connecticut

Vapor taxes in Connecticut may be back on the table as the legislature scrambles to finish the state’s budget. It is vital that Connecticut vapers take action now by reaching out to lawmakers and urging them to oppose any bill that would enact taxes on vapor products.

Oppose Vapor Taxes in Connecticut - Send an Email

In addition to contacting lawmakers from your district, please take a moment to connect with house and senate leadership. CASAA has provided contact information and talking points in the full Call to Action.

Call to Action: Take action to oppose ANY new tax on vapor products!

ECF Discussion: Connecticut Call to Action: Take action to oppose ANY new tax on vapor products! | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Robino1]

URGENT Massachusetts

Several bills are scheduled to be heard in the Joint Committee on Public Health on Tuesday, July 14th at 1:00 PM. We have provided a summary of the bills in the full Call to Action. You will see that the proposed regulations range from obvious (prohibiting sales to minors), to predictable (public vaping ban), to dangerous (requiring burdensome testing by manufacturers that would result in all or most e-liquids being banned from sale in MA, raising the age to purchase ALL “tobacco products” to 21 -- even low-risk, smoke-free products like snus and e-cigarettes).

Call to Action: CASAA: Massachusetts! Take action NOW to protect adult access to vapor products from multiple threats!

ECF Discussion: Massachusetts! Take action NOW to protect adult access to vapor products from multiple threats! | E-Cigarette Forum

Direct link to CQRC Campaign for Massachusetts where you can send an email to your legislator: Send a Message

 

[Robino1]

NEW URGENT Call to Action - FDA

CASAA has issued a Call to Action in connection with FDA's proposed regulation of safety packaging and labeling for e-cigarettes and dissolvable smokeless tobacco.

As individual consumers, there are several useful observations you can submit as comments on this ANPRM in advance of the deadline of August 31, 2015. See the full Call to Action for details.

CASAA: FDA Call to Action: Submit Comments on FDA's Proposed Regulation of Safety Packaging and Labeling for E-Cigarettes and Dissolvable Smokeless Tobacco

Please read the Call to Action in the CASAA link. There are pointers and tips, to help you, when making your comment.

 

[Robino1]

URGENT Chicago

As if it wasn’t bad enough that the Chicago City Council followed in the footsteps of New York City by prohibiting vaping in the same places where smoking is banned, now Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is promoting a tax on vapor products and other tobacco products (OTP) not currently subject to city taxes or fees.

See the Call to Action for Chicago on how you can help:

Call to Action: CASAA: Chicago, IL - Local Alert! Oppose extra taxes on e-cigarettes and other smoke-free nicotine products.

ECF Discussion: Heads Up, Chicago | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Robino1]

CASAA has issued a National CTA for tomorrow Wednesday October 28, 2015

Today the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids organized a call-in to urge the President to put pressure on the FDA.

Time for us to do the same. Tomorrow CASAA would like us to make our own calls to the White House and urge the President to demand that the FDA re-work its Tobacco Deeming Regulations.

Please see the link for more information and talking points .

Call to Action: http://blog.casaa.org/2015/10/national-call-to-action-tell-white.html

ECF Discussion: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...on-call-the-white-house-on-10-28-2015.709689/

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - National - re FDA regulation

Comments due TUESDAY, November 24, 2015

This isn't a complicated or time-consuming Call to Action, but it's an important one. FDA is seeking to prohibit manufacturers (which would include most vape specialty shops) from providing honest and helpful information to consumers.

Please set aside 15 minutes to let FDA know why this kind of rule is bad for consumers and represents suppression of information that you believe you are entitled to receive.

See the Call to Action for full details on how you can make your voice be heard.

Call to Action: CASAA: FDA Call to Action: Submit Comments on FDA's Proposed Intended Use Regulation

ECF Discussion: URGENT FDA Call to Action: Submit Comments on FDA's Proposed Intended Use Regulation

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Yet another National CTA:

A provision (Sec. 747) in this year’s budget bill could save the U.S. vapor industry from being destroyed by the overbearing and burdensome FDA premarket application process.

CASAA is asking members to voice support for a provision in this year’s budget bill that would change the grandfather date for products that are about to be subject to the FDA’s tobacco regulations. This provision would essentially include the Cole bill language -- HR 2058 -- and require the FDA to move the grandfather date to the effective date of the final regulation.

Without a change in the February 2007 grandfather date, more than 99% of vapor products currently on the market will be gone within two years. This is not hyperbole. The cost of obtaining premarket approvals with the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products is intentionally prohibitive, and all indications are that there will be no significant exemptions made for vapor products.

If Congress does not act to change the grandfather date established by the Tobacco Control Act, the wide variety of vapor products that adult smokers have come to rely on to live smoke-free will be swept off the market.

Even if you’ve taken action before, your voice is needed now.

Please take action NOW by contacting your Representative and Senators!

Direct link to email campaign: National Call to Action! Stop the FDA from banning nearly ALL vapor products from the market!

Direct link to phone campaign: National Call to Action! Make a Call to stop the FDA from banning nearly ALL vapor products from the market!

Call to Action: CASAA: National Call to Action! Stop the FDA from banning nearly ALL vapor products from the market!

ECF Discussion: National Call to Action! Stop the FDA from banning nearly ALL vapor products from the market!

 

[Robino1]

URGENT - Pennsylvania

The proposal to tax vapor products refuses to die and the threat is even bigger now. Lawmakers are struggling to finalize the 2016 budget and a tax on vaping is squarely in their sights.

Direct link to the CQRC campaign to Send a Message: PA - The vapor tax is back and even more threatening.

Even though it's Friday, it is vital that PA Advocates take action NOW by sending a message to lawmakers insisting that they reject any tax on vapor products. Budget negotiations are likely to continue through the weekend.

ECF Discussion: PA in the crosshairs again . . . URGENT Call to Action