About three weeks ago, I wrote a letter to my Senators and Congresswoman. I expressed my thoughts concerning the FDA and e-cigarettes. I mentioned the current studies, the ECF, but forgot to mention CASAA. I also expressed my concerns about Big tobacco. I got a satisfactory phone call from one Senator's office in Washington. I just got this letter from Congresswoman DeGette's office. It appears to me that she has already made up her mind, and there is no further discussion required. I wrote her a second letter, which follows her letter below.
On May 12, 2014, at 8:55 AM, "Congresswoman DeGette" <DeGette@mail.house.gov> wrote:
Dear Robin -----
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding electronic cigarettes. I am pleased to learn your views on this issue and appreciate the opportunity to share mine.
Electronic cigarettes are a relatively new product being marketed and sold to consumers, including young people. Also known as e-cigarettes, these devices are battery operated and contain liquid cartridges filled with nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals. Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine to the user through vapor inhalation, a practice that is intended to mimic smoking a tobacco cigarette. I have serious concerns about these products. The FDA's has proposed new rules to expand its authority to encompass e-cigarettes, cigars and other types of tobacco products. These rules are currently under review by the White House's Office of Management and Budget. Currently, the FDA does not classify electronic cigarettes in the same category as regular cigarettes, which exempts them from federal tobacco regulations. However, many states, including Colorado, have already passed laws categorizing electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. Electronic cigarette marketers also claim that it is acceptable to use these devices anywhere, which could undermine the important public health benefits of smoke-free spaces.
As required by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which I support, the FDA has created a Center for Tobacco Products, which is using the best available science to reduce the burden of illness and death caused by tobacco products. Currently, the FDA is investigating electronic cigarettes. While electronic cigarette distributors have sued the FDA in federal court, claiming that it does not have the authority to regulate their product, limited testing of two leading brands by FDA's Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that electronic cigarettes contain carcinogens, nitrosamines, and toxic chemicals. In one sample, laboratory analysis detected diethylene glycol, a substance used in antifreeze, brake fluid, printing ink, and glue. Furthermore, traditional cigarette makers such as Phillip Morris have stated that electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA because it is a product that is a derivative of tobacco. I was a signatory of a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, asking the FDA to assert jurisdiction over electronic cigarretes without delay and accelerate its efforts to submit its new "deeming regulations" for electronic cigarette manufacturers. The FDA has also taken action against electronic cigarettes by instructing customs officials to seize international shipments of these products Please be assured that I will continue to follow this important health issue closely and that I will keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Please feel free to visit my website at Congresswoman Diana DeGette | Representing the First District of Colorado. There you can sign up for my e-mail newsletter and stay up-to-date with events in Congress. I look forward to our continued communication.
Sincerely,
Diana DeGette
Member of Congress
Reply to Congresswoman DeGette:
Dear Congresswoman DeGette,
I ask you to study The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association web page at CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
I believe anyone who has ties to the tobacco industry has a financial stake in ecigarettes. I believe strongly there are two agendas: 1) Take control away from small business. 2) Once they have control, work to increase addiction and dependence to the level of real cigarettes. I also believe, Federal, State, and local government have a stake to make up the taxation lost from people who are quitting smoking by using ecigarettes.
E cigarettes allow people to slowly diminish their level of nicotine, and quit it all together. Nicotine gum and patches are also tobacco products. Yet, there is no outcry to control them. The lame excuse of "save the children", denies adults our own well being. Parents are responsible for children's behavior, not the US government. These products are not geared to children, they are meant for adults.
You said proponents say they can be smoked anywhere, so you want to regulate the product and not the advertising? The "dangerous chemicals" found in the vapor are minuscule. There seems to be a panic bandwagon you guys are jumping on, without concern for reality.
If you compare ecigarettes to real cigarettes, it's ludicrous. They are not the same thing. Propylene Glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine and flavoring. To me, the flavoring is extremely important. I prefer a mixture of coffee, cinnamon and almond. I also like guava and strawberry.
I would like to ask you to please re consider your stand on regulation of ecigarettes and the nicotine juice.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Robin ---
On May 12, 2014, at 8:55 AM, "Congresswoman DeGette" <DeGette@mail.house.gov> wrote:
Dear Robin -----
Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts regarding electronic cigarettes. I am pleased to learn your views on this issue and appreciate the opportunity to share mine.
Electronic cigarettes are a relatively new product being marketed and sold to consumers, including young people. Also known as e-cigarettes, these devices are battery operated and contain liquid cartridges filled with nicotine, flavoring, and other chemicals. Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine to the user through vapor inhalation, a practice that is intended to mimic smoking a tobacco cigarette. I have serious concerns about these products. The FDA's has proposed new rules to expand its authority to encompass e-cigarettes, cigars and other types of tobacco products. These rules are currently under review by the White House's Office of Management and Budget. Currently, the FDA does not classify electronic cigarettes in the same category as regular cigarettes, which exempts them from federal tobacco regulations. However, many states, including Colorado, have already passed laws categorizing electronic cigarettes as tobacco products. Electronic cigarette marketers also claim that it is acceptable to use these devices anywhere, which could undermine the important public health benefits of smoke-free spaces.
As required by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act which I support, the FDA has created a Center for Tobacco Products, which is using the best available science to reduce the burden of illness and death caused by tobacco products. Currently, the FDA is investigating electronic cigarettes. While electronic cigarette distributors have sued the FDA in federal court, claiming that it does not have the authority to regulate their product, limited testing of two leading brands by FDA's Division of Pharmaceutical Analysis found that electronic cigarettes contain carcinogens, nitrosamines, and toxic chemicals. In one sample, laboratory analysis detected diethylene glycol, a substance used in antifreeze, brake fluid, printing ink, and glue. Furthermore, traditional cigarette makers such as Phillip Morris have stated that electronic cigarettes should be regulated by the Center for Tobacco Products at the FDA because it is a product that is a derivative of tobacco. I was a signatory of a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, asking the FDA to assert jurisdiction over electronic cigarretes without delay and accelerate its efforts to submit its new "deeming regulations" for electronic cigarette manufacturers. The FDA has also taken action against electronic cigarettes by instructing customs officials to seize international shipments of these products Please be assured that I will continue to follow this important health issue closely and that I will keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Please feel free to visit my website at Congresswoman Diana DeGette | Representing the First District of Colorado. There you can sign up for my e-mail newsletter and stay up-to-date with events in Congress. I look forward to our continued communication.
Sincerely,
Diana DeGette
Member of Congress
Reply to Congresswoman DeGette:
Dear Congresswoman DeGette,
I ask you to study The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association web page at CASAA - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
I believe anyone who has ties to the tobacco industry has a financial stake in ecigarettes. I believe strongly there are two agendas: 1) Take control away from small business. 2) Once they have control, work to increase addiction and dependence to the level of real cigarettes. I also believe, Federal, State, and local government have a stake to make up the taxation lost from people who are quitting smoking by using ecigarettes.
E cigarettes allow people to slowly diminish their level of nicotine, and quit it all together. Nicotine gum and patches are also tobacco products. Yet, there is no outcry to control them. The lame excuse of "save the children", denies adults our own well being. Parents are responsible for children's behavior, not the US government. These products are not geared to children, they are meant for adults.
You said proponents say they can be smoked anywhere, so you want to regulate the product and not the advertising? The "dangerous chemicals" found in the vapor are minuscule. There seems to be a panic bandwagon you guys are jumping on, without concern for reality.
If you compare ecigarettes to real cigarettes, it's ludicrous. They are not the same thing. Propylene Glycol, vegetable glycerine, nicotine and flavoring. To me, the flavoring is extremely important. I prefer a mixture of coffee, cinnamon and almond. I also like guava and strawberry.
I would like to ask you to please re consider your stand on regulation of ecigarettes and the nicotine juice.
Thank you,
Sincerely,
Robin ---
Ugh!
