3/23/09 | Senator seeks to halt sales of 'e-cigarettes'

[KDMickey]

Unfortunately, I feel that trying to let the cats out of the bag as far a the dirt goes may be counter productive to our cause. If we piss these guys off, they're sure to make it more difficult for us! I feel like we catch more bees with honey than we do with vinegar. Too bad blackmail's illegal. Let's try to be proactive on getting support. Look at it this way: Members of the community would rather we vape than smell like smoke and smoke at the entrances of buildings. I think we should push the lack of second-hand smoke stronger--that's one of the big appeals for vaping.

 

[outofstep]

Unfortunately, I feel that trying to let the cats out of the bag as far a the dirt goes may be counter productive to our cause. If we piss these guys off, they're sure to make it more difficult for us! I feel like we catch more bees with honey than we do with vinegar. Too bad blackmail's illegal. Let's try to be proactive on getting support. Look at it this way: Members of the community would rather we vape than smell like smoke and smoke at the entrances of buildings. I think we should push the lack of second-hand smoke stronger--that's one of the big appeals for vaping.

If we took negativity too far then yes we run that risk.

Obviously, we can't go OMG Lautenberg is being paid by pharmaceutical companies, he's part of a giant corporate conspiracy against e-cigarettes. We'd never be taken seriously.

What we can do is make a point to question the Senator's interests. Maybe he doesn't fully represent his constituents. Maybe there is a conflict of interest between him requesting a ban e-cigarettes and who contributed to his campaign.

What we know is Big Pharma stands to lose a lot of dough from e-cigs going mainstream and there is a reason why Big Pharma donated to his campaign. Anything in between is pure speculation and counterpructive to our cause.

How about this for an idea?

We mail pamphlets to all his constiuents stating his conflict of interest as I explained and inform them of all the known facts about e-cigarette and diferrences from analogs. Use those two parts to explain why is ban is unreasonable, and lastly offer an alternative solution.

If we take it to his state, inform his constintuents, he could cave into the pressure and back down.

What do you guys think?, and would you be onboard to help?

 

[KDMickey]

Related question:

Has the FDA officially starting regulating tobacco yet?

Does anyone know if they have the power to ban e-liquid outright? (wondering because its not a drug but nicotine +PG or other which are allowed by FDA)

If no, then good news. We got more time on our side.

We need a lawyer. See, from what I understand, if the juice doesn't have nic, then they can't touch it. They can't regulate the device unless its primary purpose is to administer a drug. They can't outlaw glass pipes for the same reason. So, if the primary purpose is smoking nic free e-juice, they couldn't touch us. I hope we can get a lawyer on board for a suit against the FDA, if the it-shay hits the fan.

 

[lordmage]

i used a modified version of banits letter "I can not understand the reason to ban the sale of the unknown or should i say untaxed devices known as Electronic Cigarettes. if you want to have the a study done on thier safety why not allow the people out thier using them to submit thier stories and also be part of these so called safety studies. while allowing thier sale untill further unbiased proof is completed. I am new to using the electronic cigarette, but I am very excited about incorporating it into my life. In the long run, I believe that it will improve my health and my potential burden to the healthcare system, when compared to my continued use of tobacco cigarettes as a two pack a day smoker.

Studies in New Zealand have already been conducted, and concluded by Dr. Murray Laugesen, a recognized expert in the field of the effects of cigarette smoking, to be a less harmful alternative than smoking tobacco cigarettes. If the most reasonable course of continuing to allow these devices to be legally purchased by the general public while objective, independant studies are conducted in the US, I am certain that conclusions will be made.

The data shows that countries that rely on tax revenue, generated by the sale of tobacco products, to offset the cost of the public healthcare needed to treat the health complications caused by the use of these products, is much worse off than countries that simply have a lower percentage of the population that use these tobacco products. In the United States of America, where the citizens are granted the freedom to choose to smoke tobacco cigarettes, knowing the high probability that health complications will be caused by this use, the electronic cigarette is currently the most likely product that will allow our country to become a closer model of a country that has a lower percentage of the population that smokes tobacco cigarettes.

If it is the general public's well-being that the Federal Government is truly trying to protect, then I believe it to be indisputable that the use of the electronic cigarette should actually be actively promoted by the leadership that the people of this country have chosen to represent us. "

 

[momswann]

This is what I sent to him. Not the most intelligent or well thought out letter I've ever written, but it gets my ideas across. It IS 4:30 in the morning and I haven't even had a full cup of coffee.



Dear Senator,

I am writing in response to your request to halt the sales of electronic cigarettes. I respectfully request that you consider rethinking your position. I have tried every method available to stop smoking and have been unsuccessful over and over again. Until now. This product is the first thing that has ever truly helped me stop smoking. I have been smoke free for 5 months. Additionally, I have 4 friends that have also successfully quit smoking with this product. I understand your concern about safety, however, we KNOW that cigarettes kill. You are, in essence, requesting the banning of a product that is probably infinitely safer in lieu of a product that we are certain kills people. Please rethink your position for the sake of the many that have used this product to quit smoking. I am fearful that the banning of the product will lead to smoking cigarettes for many of us.

Respectfully,

Jamie Swann
Ex smoker

 

[brandeeashlynn]

I think we need to get ahold of the congressman that was using a pv. He would be a big ally in our efforts. btw I also signed the petition.

 

[devonschmoker]

I have a suggestion that I think may have been overlooked.

I think that it is also very important to contact your own U.S. Congressional members for your area too. We need to focus on them as well as NJ Senator Frank R. Lautenberg. We need to make noise and lots of it. Not just today but everyday until we see some action in our favor. This is a tried and true tactic in our political system. I am personally going to call Senator Lautenberg’s office as soon as it opens today, along with my Senators Ron Widen and Jeff Merkley and the representative for my district David Wu.
It is very important to contact your local Congressional members because they are the ones most likely to work with you and help our cause. -Devon

 

[CssReb]

It would be a good idea to print out your letters to the Senator and snail mail it as well, if you want them read.

Emailing is ok and some may be read but they're also easily deleted without even opening.

At least with a physical letter they'd have to open it and read some of it before tossing it in the trash.

Just MHO

 

[VapeAllDay]

I am so proud to say that Rep. Cliff Stearns is actually my rep! I have emailed him and hope to hear a response. I have actually spoken with him before on another matter and I am hoping he will call me back as he did once before. I will keep you posted if I am lucky enough to speak with him.

 

[TropicalBob]

This thread needs editing, as SmokeyJoe began. There are no doubt aides in the senator's office who will scour the Web today to read reaction to his letter to the FDA. In this thread, they'll finds posts that the senator is a turdbrain, idiot, paid-for politician who is on the take from Big Pharma, in bed with special interests who contribute to his campaign, etc.

That is not the way to win over anyone, including the public.

They will also find well thought-out and worded letters opposing his suggested action by the FDA. Those should remain. Posts that call for a new American Revolution, etc., should be dumped here and relegated to the trash heap of General.

This thread should be to help, not hurt, our cause. Rants help no one, not even the poster. But ... oh, they can HURT many.

 

[first2di3]

I just submitted the petition to Digg and Reddit

There has got to be more than 10,000 e-smokers out there that don't frequent the forums, and we'll find them...

Digg - Keep life saving electronic cigarettes available! - Petition

Keep life saving electronic cigarettes available! - The Petition Site : reddit.com

Keep pointing people to digg/reddit these so that they get noticed.

Thanks!

 

[TropicalBob]

Well, you posted that elsewhere so I'll post the response here, as well.

Imagine you're in a court. Because that's where we are, in essence. Just the name of the petition will draw a quick rebuttal and "inadmissible" rejection.

"Counselor, you call this 'life saving'. How has it been determined that the use of electronic cigarettes is 'life saving' in any way? What long-range studies can you site to sustain that allegation? You, sir, cannot. There is no merit to your claim."

Do not claim what cannot be proven; do not ask for faith as a basis for action.

Petitions worded this way will be rejected as not worthy of intelligent consideration.

 

[krewblink]

I don't know what anyone else would want to say, but I borrowed Sean's letter from the "Contacting your representatives" thread, made the changes I needed to make it correct for myself, and I sent it to all of the U.S. representatives and senators in Louisiana. Here is what I said:

Mr/Mrs. Senator/Representative:
My name is Nicole. I am a student and housewife from Livingston, Louisiana. I am writing to you today to bring to light a subject which I am passionate about. I have been using a nicotine replacement product known as a personal vaporizer, or electronic cigarette. This product has allowed me to quit smoking actual cigarettes. I am active in the community which supports these personal vaporizers. The FDA has decided to start taking action against personal vaporizers due to unknown safety standards. Many people around the world, including myself, have used these without negative side effects for a good amount of time now. I realize that nicotine products are usually regulated by the FDA. The problem is that the FDA has decided to take negative action against our personal vaporizers without any research to the negative. There are a few studies independently done in Europe, but as of yet, there have been no U.S. studies. In the past four years of use with the personal vaporizers, there has not been one confirmed death due to the use of these products. These products contain few chemicals, none of which are cancer causing agents, unlike their tobacco counter parts.
Now, I am aware that the FDA regulates nicotine cessation products. Except for a few vendors that do not have the right to claim their product is a cessation product, no serious vendor makes this claim. I believe that my representatives need to intervene and stop the FDA from banning a product which has not been studied, yet has no negative cases against the product. I find it irresponsible for an agency such as the FDA to consider banning a product which allows myself and others to continue to subdue our nicotine addiction without the damaging and cancer-causing effects which exist in tobacco products. Illegally, the FDA has started confiscating personal vaporizers being shipped from other countries, when there is no law or regulation on the product. This is deceitful and an abuse of the power that has been granted to the FDA. I have never been able to quit my smoking habit until I found this product. I am twenty nine years old, have been a serious smoker for 11 years, and I feel that electronic cigarettes have saved my life. Never in many years of trying to quit have I been able to quit smoking cigarettes, until I started using the electronic cigarette. Gum, patches, and medicines didn’t work for me. The electronic cigarette DID. Please consider helping myself and others in our fight too keep these products legal and unregulated until the time that proper studies can be done on the subject. I don’t want to start smoking real cigarettes again, but if the personal vaporizers are banned, I fear I will have no choice.

Thank you for your time.
Nicole Ponville

This is very very very good. Can u send this to Barrack Obama? I would think sending it to a higher power would definetly be a positive note. I think hes a smoker as well and probably doesnt know about the E-cig. If he knew about the E-Cig i gurantee he wouldnt regulate it.

 

[KDMickey]

Do you prefer Tropical, or is just Bob sufficient?

I think the petition is only to open the door on an issue. I do not think the wording of the petition is totally crucial. I mean, if we can GET over 10,000 signatures, then we have a platform from which to argue our case. Whether or not the phrasing of the petition is perfect is not the point. The point is that we would have enough voters looking at the issue to make the talking heads tread a little more carefully.

Cheers,
-Mickey

 

[QueenInNC]

This thread needs editing, as SmokeyJoe began. There are no doubt aides in the senator's office who will scour the Web today to read reaction to his letter to the FDA. In this thread, they'll finds posts that the senator is a turdbrain, idiot, paid-for politician who is on the take from Big Pharma, in bed with special interests who contribute to his campaign, etc.

That is not the way to win over anyone, including the public.

They will also find well thought-out and worded letters opposing his suggested action by the FDA. Those should remain. Posts that call for a new American Revolution, etc., should be dumped here and relegated to the trash heap of General.

This thread should be to help, not hurt, our cause. Rants help no one, not even the poster. But ... oh, they can HURT many.

You know, I was thinking the same thing as I was reading this, TB.

 

[Shaz1973]

If they try to take e-cigs away I'll sue Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg. I bet it won't be too hard to make a few discovery requests and find his bribe money.

 

[Steph2323]

I think that there are some good ideas, but we need to pick the best and focus on them, and create 1 post that we can all locate easily. Some great ideas are flying around here, but I am afraid if we don't agree on 1 or 2 targeted plans, we won't be heard. For example, If we decide to target our lawmakers as we already have been doing , we have 1 master letter that is recommended(with an area that we can insert our quit date, how it has helped us,ect). There are some good examples already here. On that same post,have the link that someone already provided to addresses/phone numbers for our congress members. On the same post, have the link to the petition. Make sense?
I think if we can all agree, we can make a difference. The ideas are already here.
Stephanie

 

[Vape]

Well at least it looks like the senator is focused on the term "electronic cigarette" and not the liquid, the device itself they cannot touch, it's the liquid we so crave that will be at risk. I can buy vaporizers/bongs/pipes all day long and the FDA can't do anything about it. I think if liquid suppliers took a stance of including warnings and safety information with the product as with patches or gum it would help in the long run, yes we are aware of the risks and notify possible consumers of the risks, be responsible and dont market it as a "healthy" or "good for you" cigarette. I guess I'm just hoping the senators letter will be less effective as we all fear due to the logistics and wording of his letter.

 

[ritalee76]

Hopefully, I've done my part.

I've sent a letter to both of my senators as well as the New Jersey guy...

 

[Grandma Cas]

Petition here.

thanks for the link petition signed

only 106 sigs so far where is everybody? how many members do we have here & RTV? come on peeps.

maybe the petition link needs to be somewhere more prominent huh?