[ Just paste broken links shown in purple directly into your browser - the extra line doesn't matter. Pls. PM me if you have more recent info. about proposed/actual legislation, if you think I've missed an important story, or if you want more tweaks to the formatting program. ]
1) Looks like a bullet was dodged in UT - UT's HB 112 reported dead in Sen. Cmte.
2) Yakima WA vaping = smoking resolution to be consiered TUES 6PM City Hall. Ord. would ban indoor and outdoor vaping (parks, etc.).
3) The Colony, TX considers simple minor sales ban. However based on the info. considered by the council, a "morph" is definitely not out of the question.`
4) Gov. Snyder of MI and ANTZ orgs are not satisfied w/ MI's simple minor sales ban that passed the house last week. New bill introduced which would define vaping as smoking and possibly involve a tax, but details are still murky.
5) 400 UK Councils call for vaping marketing reforms.
6) S. Africa to restrict sales of PVs to pharmacies.
7) Decrease in the the number of new stories from Thursday's junk minor "gateway" study by Dutra & Glantz, however it appears that the US (and perhaps UK) media have accepted the premise that PVs are creating more tobacco smokers - at least among minors. Along with the premise that minors are being "targeted" by the vaping industry, it seems that the climate for vaping in the US has significantly deteriorated of late - particularly the outlook for internet sales.
Coverage: South Africa, UK, US States: FL, OH, MI, WI, TX, UT, WA
***
SOUTH AFRICA
Title: Fierce opposition to e-cigarette grows
(eNCA [Bloomberg] nat'l news) http://www.enca
.com/south-africa-technology/fierce-opposition-e-cigarette-rise
Brief report indicates that heath authorities seeking to limit sales of vaping materials to pharmacies. No other junk besides brief interview w/ MD who gives the usual "we don't know anything about them" and advises her patients that vaping is smoking.
***
UK NATIOAL
Title: Call for e-cigarette advert ban
(Belfast N. Ire. UK local paper) http://www.belfasttelegraph
.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/call-for-ecigarette-advert-ban-30074070.html
400 Councils in the UK rep'd by the Local Gov't Assn call for PV marketing reforms (not a ban). LGA recognizes that vaping can help smokers quit, but claims industry is targeting children because: "They are using the same sophisticated tactics long employed to sell regular cigarettes. These involve sweet flavours, social media, celebrity and competitions." It seems that the meme to the effect that children are being intentionally and specifically targeted is just as well-established in the UK as it is here in the states. No other junk.
***
US NATIONAL
Title: Why You Don't Have to Put Up With Cigarette Companies Targeting Your Kids
(US Nat'l News) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/common-sense-media/why-you-dont-have-to-put-cigarette-companies_b_4921564.html
The casual reader of this article might assume that it's a given that BT is targeting children with advertising that encourages them to smoke or vape. Furthermore it presumes that vaping is a gateway to smoking (subtly, in that it makes no distinction between the two). This sentence is illustrative: "Plus, new products like e-cigs and flavored cigarettes are gaining popularity with kids. And once they're hooked, they're likely to continue the unhealthy habit into adulthood." (News flash for the author: there are no "flavored" tobacco cigarettes except menthol.)
Title: Despite New Restrictions, E-Cigarette Shops See Growth Ahead
(US Nat'l tech website) http://mashable
.com/2014/03/07/city-e-cigarette-growth/
Junk-free piece features interviews with vape shop owners on the coasts in the wake of recent city ord.s. Consensus seems to be that the anti-vaping use rules will have little effect on sales, or the growth of vaping - despite the fact that vapers will have to vape with smokers (thus creating a risk of relapse for those vapers who have quit).
---
US: FLORIDA
Title: Growing controversies for growing e-cigarette industry
(W. Palm Beach FL US NBC affiliate)
Very short, junk-free and relatively uninformative article compares two vapers - one who runs a short and who doesn't. The vape shop owner won't sell to minors or vape where smoking isn't allowed. The customer refers to vaping as "smoking," and vapes everywhere. The "tobacco prevention specialist" (interesting title) helpfully advises businesses that: "They are viewed as tobacco products so we do suggest that you incorporate that into your smoke-free policy as well." (A remarkably mild comment, given her job title.)
[ FL simple minor ban, SB 224 is ready for Sen. Floor on March 4 when legislative session opens, also see:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...would-block-electronic-cigarettes-minors.html ]
---
US: OHIO
Title: E-cigarette retailer to open Troy store
(Dayton OH US local business) http://www.bizjournals
.com/dayton/news/2014/03/07/e-cigarette-retailer-to-open-troy-store.html
Junk-free piece about a new 3000 sq. ft. vape store/lounge. Owner anticipates having a staff of 20. (Not exactly your corner vape shop.) OH's simple minor sales ban was signed by Gov. Kasich last week, OH appears to be safe at the statewide level through the end of this calendar year.
---
US: MICHIGAN
Title: E-cigarettes ignite debate over regulation, sales
(AP) http://www.usatoday
.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/07/e-cigarettes-regulation-sales/6181091/
This junk-free article suggests that Rep. Gail Haines is working with the ACS, the ALA, and the Synder administration to sponsor a bill that would satisfy all these parties who: "... want e-cigarettes to be treated like traditional cigarettes, not only in regards to minors, but taxes and public use laws as well. Such regulations would ban e-cigarette use in workplaces or restaurants, a restriction that's currently left up to individual businesses." After fruitlessly searching, your correspondent could only dig up this link (which has approximately the correct date, but which only redefines the term "tobacco product" in the context of a simple minor sales ban): http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/pdf/2014-HIB-5393.pdf We're currently trying to figure this out here - if you know anything, please reply: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...536975-michigan-legislation.html#post12467546 (This AP story is being picked up around the state, but I haven't collected links to the other clones.)
[ MI's SB 667/8 is out of the senate and ready for the house. HB 4997 and 5007 appear to still be in cmte. All four bills are simple minor sales bans. ]
---
US: WISCONSIN
Title: Exempt e-cigarettes from smoking ban
(Milwaukee WI US local paper) http://www.jsonline
.com/news/opinion/exempt-e-cigarettes-from-smoking-ban-b99217076z1-249076491.html
Pro-vaping opinion argues that indoor vaping bans are motivated by Puritanism.
[ WI has two bills that would explicitly exempt from the state Indoor Clean Air Act, which CASAA strongly supports: CASAA: Call to Action! UPDATED: SUPPORT Wisconsin SB 440 and AB 762 EXEMPTING E-cigarettes from public use bans! Also see report by Kirstin: http://wivapers.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-two-days-in-wisconsins-capitol.html and: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...6240-wisconsin-updates-wisconsin-updates.html ]
---
US: TEXAS
Title: Council discusses e-cigarette ordinance
(Plano TX US local paper) http://starlocalmedia.com/thecolonycourierleader/council-discusses-e-cigarette-ordinance/article_3098c12e-a634-11e3-bddd-0019bb2963f4
.html?TNNoMobile
Contains FDA '09 and much other ANTZ junk, yet surprisingly the city of The Colony (yes, that really is the town's name) is only presently considering a simple minor sales ban. However minor sales bans frequently "morph" into more. TX's legislature is not in session until 2015, so unless Gov. Perry calls it back for a special session, the risk of statewide legislation is nil.
---
US: UTAH
Title: E-smoke bill dies in panel
(SLC UT US local paper) http://www.sltrib
.com/sltrib/politics/57649586-90/bill-cigarette-cigarettes-committee.html.csp
Junk-free report on the fortuitously-untimely expiration of Rep. Ray's HB 112. I believe CASAA and UT vapers came around to reluctantly supporting it after it was "gutted," but perhaps this is because there appeared to be little other choice. As far as I know, no other significant anti-vaping legislation is pending in UT, except for SB 12 which would raise the limit for the sale of all tobacco-derived products to 21. So it appears that vapers have mostly dodged the bullet in UT for this session, despite some rather ominous reports that Ray would have had some of the orignal onerous provisions reinstated in the sen. For more details about how this occured see: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...grade-nicotine-require-license-make-sell.html
Congrats to Aaron Frazier and UT Vapers for working hard to keep UT from setting a horrible precedent = and succeeding, no less!.
More coverage: http://www.deseretnews
.com/article/865598212/Senate-committee-snuffs-out-e-cigarettes-bill-leaving-sponsor-perplexed.html
---
US: WASHINGTON (STATE)
Title: Yakima City Council to vote on e-cigarette ban
(Yakima WA US CBS affiliate) http://www.kimatv
.com/news/local/Yakima-City-Council-to-vote-on-e-cigarette-ban-249079541.html
As reported in this space on the 26th of last month, the city atty's office has submitted a plan to ban both indoor and outdoor vaping in the city, whereever smoking is prohibited - including in public parks and rec. areas, as well as municipal property such as parking lots, etc. City Council meets 6pm at City Hall on Tues.
[ Washington's HB 2795 has been incorporated into the budget, will impose a 95% tax. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-cigs-95-referred-senate-ways-means-cmte.html and
CASAA: Call to Action! Washington Bill to Impose Excessive 95% Tax on E-Cigarettes text of 2795:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2795.pdf ]
Title: Editorial: E-cigarette nontax status contingent on FDA ruling
(Spokane WA US local paper) http://www.spokesman
.com/stories/2014/mar/08/editorial-e-cigarette-nontax-status-contingent-on/
This editorial embraces most ANTZ junk, so this final sentence seems perplexing: "E-cigarettes look like a tempting candidate for sin-tax treatment, but its too soon to impose a levy. Speedy resolution of vapings health implications by the FDA cannot come too soon for budget writers counting on a new source of revenue."
Title: E-Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Poisons Kids
(Tri-Cities WA US NBC affiliate) http://www.nbcnews
.com/id/54612961/ns/local_news-tri_cities_wa/#.Uxt92s5obfg
This reprehensibly-alarmist story (beginning with the headline, which implies that it's about more than a potential event), consists of quotes from local health officials who claim that just a "few drops" of e-liquid on a child's skin can result in an ER visit, or even "be deadly" (presumably if ingested). It's difficult to believe that these folks are aware of the actual concentrations used in commercial (non-DIY) e-liquid. Other gratuitous junk included in this piece.
***
COLLECTIONS: JAMA STUDY
The Dutra/Glantz JAMA study continues to generate articles, most assume that the "gateway" effect exists. I'm not going to provide details about the source or comment on any of them unless I see something particularly unusual. See yesterday's news summary for a list of about 50 such pieces.
Title: E-Cigarette Use Among Teens Doubled in One Year
(Yahoo Health) http://health.yahoo
.net/articles/smoking/e-cigarette-use-among-teens-doubled-one-year
Title: Editorial: E-cigarettes as training wheels
(L.I. NY US local paper) http://www.newsday
.com/opinion/editorial-e-cigarettes-as-training-wheels-1.7321362
Title: Study Finds Teen E-Cigarette Users More Likely to Smoke Regular Cigarettes
(NYC-based US Web site focused on Latinos) http://www.latinopost
.com/articles/4748/20140307/study-finds-teen-e-cigarette-users-more-likely-to-smoke-regular-cigarettes.htm
Title: E-cigarette use linked to higher smoking odds
(AFP/Reuters) http://mobile.nation
.co.ke/lifestyle/Ecigarette-use-linked-to-higher-smoking-odds/-/1950774/2235974/-/format/xhtml/-/uo9qesz/-/index.html
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
1) Looks like a bullet was dodged in UT - UT's HB 112 reported dead in Sen. Cmte.
2) Yakima WA vaping = smoking resolution to be consiered TUES 6PM City Hall. Ord. would ban indoor and outdoor vaping (parks, etc.).
3) The Colony, TX considers simple minor sales ban. However based on the info. considered by the council, a "morph" is definitely not out of the question.`
4) Gov. Snyder of MI and ANTZ orgs are not satisfied w/ MI's simple minor sales ban that passed the house last week. New bill introduced which would define vaping as smoking and possibly involve a tax, but details are still murky.
5) 400 UK Councils call for vaping marketing reforms.
6) S. Africa to restrict sales of PVs to pharmacies.
7) Decrease in the the number of new stories from Thursday's junk minor "gateway" study by Dutra & Glantz, however it appears that the US (and perhaps UK) media have accepted the premise that PVs are creating more tobacco smokers - at least among minors. Along with the premise that minors are being "targeted" by the vaping industry, it seems that the climate for vaping in the US has significantly deteriorated of late - particularly the outlook for internet sales.
Coverage: South Africa, UK, US States: FL, OH, MI, WI, TX, UT, WA
***
SOUTH AFRICA
Title: Fierce opposition to e-cigarette grows
(eNCA [Bloomberg] nat'l news) http://www.enca
.com/south-africa-technology/fierce-opposition-e-cigarette-rise
Brief report indicates that heath authorities seeking to limit sales of vaping materials to pharmacies. No other junk besides brief interview w/ MD who gives the usual "we don't know anything about them" and advises her patients that vaping is smoking.
***
UK NATIOAL
Title: Call for e-cigarette advert ban
(Belfast N. Ire. UK local paper) http://www.belfasttelegraph
.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/call-for-ecigarette-advert-ban-30074070.html
400 Councils in the UK rep'd by the Local Gov't Assn call for PV marketing reforms (not a ban). LGA recognizes that vaping can help smokers quit, but claims industry is targeting children because: "They are using the same sophisticated tactics long employed to sell regular cigarettes. These involve sweet flavours, social media, celebrity and competitions." It seems that the meme to the effect that children are being intentionally and specifically targeted is just as well-established in the UK as it is here in the states. No other junk.
***
US NATIONAL
Title: Why You Don't Have to Put Up With Cigarette Companies Targeting Your Kids
(US Nat'l News) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/common-sense-media/why-you-dont-have-to-put-cigarette-companies_b_4921564.html
The casual reader of this article might assume that it's a given that BT is targeting children with advertising that encourages them to smoke or vape. Furthermore it presumes that vaping is a gateway to smoking (subtly, in that it makes no distinction between the two). This sentence is illustrative: "Plus, new products like e-cigs and flavored cigarettes are gaining popularity with kids. And once they're hooked, they're likely to continue the unhealthy habit into adulthood." (News flash for the author: there are no "flavored" tobacco cigarettes except menthol.)
Title: Despite New Restrictions, E-Cigarette Shops See Growth Ahead
(US Nat'l tech website) http://mashable
.com/2014/03/07/city-e-cigarette-growth/
Junk-free piece features interviews with vape shop owners on the coasts in the wake of recent city ord.s. Consensus seems to be that the anti-vaping use rules will have little effect on sales, or the growth of vaping - despite the fact that vapers will have to vape with smokers (thus creating a risk of relapse for those vapers who have quit).
---
US: FLORIDA
Title: Growing controversies for growing e-cigarette industry
(W. Palm Beach FL US NBC affiliate)
Very short, junk-free and relatively uninformative article compares two vapers - one who runs a short and who doesn't. The vape shop owner won't sell to minors or vape where smoking isn't allowed. The customer refers to vaping as "smoking," and vapes everywhere. The "tobacco prevention specialist" (interesting title) helpfully advises businesses that: "They are viewed as tobacco products so we do suggest that you incorporate that into your smoke-free policy as well." (A remarkably mild comment, given her job title.)
[ FL simple minor ban, SB 224 is ready for Sen. Floor on March 4 when legislative session opens, also see:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...would-block-electronic-cigarettes-minors.html ]
---
US: OHIO
Title: E-cigarette retailer to open Troy store
(Dayton OH US local business) http://www.bizjournals
.com/dayton/news/2014/03/07/e-cigarette-retailer-to-open-troy-store.html
Junk-free piece about a new 3000 sq. ft. vape store/lounge. Owner anticipates having a staff of 20. (Not exactly your corner vape shop.) OH's simple minor sales ban was signed by Gov. Kasich last week, OH appears to be safe at the statewide level through the end of this calendar year.
---
US: MICHIGAN
Title: E-cigarettes ignite debate over regulation, sales
(AP) http://www.usatoday
.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/07/e-cigarettes-regulation-sales/6181091/
This junk-free article suggests that Rep. Gail Haines is working with the ACS, the ALA, and the Synder administration to sponsor a bill that would satisfy all these parties who: "... want e-cigarettes to be treated like traditional cigarettes, not only in regards to minors, but taxes and public use laws as well. Such regulations would ban e-cigarette use in workplaces or restaurants, a restriction that's currently left up to individual businesses." After fruitlessly searching, your correspondent could only dig up this link (which has approximately the correct date, but which only redefines the term "tobacco product" in the context of a simple minor sales ban): http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billintroduced/House/pdf/2014-HIB-5393.pdf We're currently trying to figure this out here - if you know anything, please reply: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...536975-michigan-legislation.html#post12467546 (This AP story is being picked up around the state, but I haven't collected links to the other clones.)
[ MI's SB 667/8 is out of the senate and ready for the house. HB 4997 and 5007 appear to still be in cmte. All four bills are simple minor sales bans. ]
---
US: WISCONSIN
Title: Exempt e-cigarettes from smoking ban
(Milwaukee WI US local paper) http://www.jsonline
.com/news/opinion/exempt-e-cigarettes-from-smoking-ban-b99217076z1-249076491.html
Pro-vaping opinion argues that indoor vaping bans are motivated by Puritanism.
[ WI has two bills that would explicitly exempt from the state Indoor Clean Air Act, which CASAA strongly supports: CASAA: Call to Action! UPDATED: SUPPORT Wisconsin SB 440 and AB 762 EXEMPTING E-cigarettes from public use bans! Also see report by Kirstin: http://wivapers.blogspot.com/2014/03/my-two-days-in-wisconsins-capitol.html and: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...6240-wisconsin-updates-wisconsin-updates.html ]
---
US: TEXAS
Title: Council discusses e-cigarette ordinance
(Plano TX US local paper) http://starlocalmedia.com/thecolonycourierleader/council-discusses-e-cigarette-ordinance/article_3098c12e-a634-11e3-bddd-0019bb2963f4
.html?TNNoMobile
Contains FDA '09 and much other ANTZ junk, yet surprisingly the city of The Colony (yes, that really is the town's name) is only presently considering a simple minor sales ban. However minor sales bans frequently "morph" into more. TX's legislature is not in session until 2015, so unless Gov. Perry calls it back for a special session, the risk of statewide legislation is nil.
---
US: UTAH
Title: E-smoke bill dies in panel
(SLC UT US local paper) http://www.sltrib
.com/sltrib/politics/57649586-90/bill-cigarette-cigarettes-committee.html.csp
Junk-free report on the fortuitously-untimely expiration of Rep. Ray's HB 112. I believe CASAA and UT vapers came around to reluctantly supporting it after it was "gutted," but perhaps this is because there appeared to be little other choice. As far as I know, no other significant anti-vaping legislation is pending in UT, except for SB 12 which would raise the limit for the sale of all tobacco-derived products to 21. So it appears that vapers have mostly dodged the bullet in UT for this session, despite some rather ominous reports that Ray would have had some of the orignal onerous provisions reinstated in the sen. For more details about how this occured see: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...grade-nicotine-require-license-make-sell.html
Congrats to Aaron Frazier and UT Vapers for working hard to keep UT from setting a horrible precedent = and succeeding, no less!.
More coverage: http://www.deseretnews
.com/article/865598212/Senate-committee-snuffs-out-e-cigarettes-bill-leaving-sponsor-perplexed.html
---
US: WASHINGTON (STATE)
Title: Yakima City Council to vote on e-cigarette ban
(Yakima WA US CBS affiliate) http://www.kimatv
.com/news/local/Yakima-City-Council-to-vote-on-e-cigarette-ban-249079541.html
As reported in this space on the 26th of last month, the city atty's office has submitted a plan to ban both indoor and outdoor vaping in the city, whereever smoking is prohibited - including in public parks and rec. areas, as well as municipal property such as parking lots, etc. City Council meets 6pm at City Hall on Tues.
[ Washington's HB 2795 has been incorporated into the budget, will impose a 95% tax. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-cigs-95-referred-senate-ways-means-cmte.html and
CASAA: Call to Action! Washington Bill to Impose Excessive 95% Tax on E-Cigarettes text of 2795:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2013-14/Pdf/Bills/House Bills/2795.pdf ]
Title: Editorial: E-cigarette nontax status contingent on FDA ruling
(Spokane WA US local paper) http://www.spokesman
.com/stories/2014/mar/08/editorial-e-cigarette-nontax-status-contingent-on/
This editorial embraces most ANTZ junk, so this final sentence seems perplexing: "E-cigarettes look like a tempting candidate for sin-tax treatment, but its too soon to impose a levy. Speedy resolution of vapings health implications by the FDA cannot come too soon for budget writers counting on a new source of revenue."
Title: E-Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Poisons Kids
(Tri-Cities WA US NBC affiliate) http://www.nbcnews
.com/id/54612961/ns/local_news-tri_cities_wa/#.Uxt92s5obfg
This reprehensibly-alarmist story (beginning with the headline, which implies that it's about more than a potential event), consists of quotes from local health officials who claim that just a "few drops" of e-liquid on a child's skin can result in an ER visit, or even "be deadly" (presumably if ingested). It's difficult to believe that these folks are aware of the actual concentrations used in commercial (non-DIY) e-liquid. Other gratuitous junk included in this piece.
***
COLLECTIONS: JAMA STUDY
The Dutra/Glantz JAMA study continues to generate articles, most assume that the "gateway" effect exists. I'm not going to provide details about the source or comment on any of them unless I see something particularly unusual. See yesterday's news summary for a list of about 50 such pieces.
Title: E-Cigarette Use Among Teens Doubled in One Year
(Yahoo Health) http://health.yahoo
.net/articles/smoking/e-cigarette-use-among-teens-doubled-one-year
Title: Editorial: E-cigarettes as training wheels
(L.I. NY US local paper) http://www.newsday
.com/opinion/editorial-e-cigarettes-as-training-wheels-1.7321362
Title: Study Finds Teen E-Cigarette Users More Likely to Smoke Regular Cigarettes
(NYC-based US Web site focused on Latinos) http://www.latinopost
.com/articles/4748/20140307/study-finds-teen-e-cigarette-users-more-likely-to-smoke-regular-cigarettes.htm
Title: E-cigarette use linked to higher smoking odds
(AFP/Reuters) http://mobile.nation
.co.ke/lifestyle/Ecigarette-use-linked-to-higher-smoking-odds/-/1950774/2235974/-/format/xhtml/-/uo9qesz/-/index.html
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
