A Note on the Election

[maxx]

The problem is the blurring of lines between actual smoking and e-smoking.

I agree....this is a huge, massive problem. Sadly, it will never be solved. The line is being purposely blurred by the antis because it is a very effective strategy. The "it looks, walks, and quacks like a duck" is too much for many citizens to get past. Ironic that the very thing (acts like smoking) that makes e-cigs work...is also it's greatest drawback.

 

[Vocalek]

I agree....this is a huge, massive problem. Sadly, it will never be solved. The line is being purposely blurred by the antis because it is a very effective strategy. The "it looks, walks, and quacks like a duck" is too much for many citizens to get past. Ironic that the very thing (acts like smoking) that makes e-cigs work...is also it's greatest drawback.

You got that right. "E-cigarettes also may represent a way for adolescents and adults to skirt smoke-free indoor air laws."

Furthermore root beer may represent a way for minors to skirt laws against buying acoholic beverages.

And did you notice how cleverly they combined the "save the children" fear with the "save the air" fear?

 

[Katya]

actually, the president is an ex-smoker, hence all the new tobacco taxes to prove to his "we know what's best for everyone, and smoking isn't what's best for you" friends and supporters that he wasn't going to be "soft" on big tobacco. just look at Obama's total BS Children's Healthcare National tobacco Tax, which by the way, never ended up going to children's healthcare at all, yet smokers are still paying the tax.

By his own admisson, he still smokes, which would make him an even bigger hypocrite. Or make him feel more guilty...or both. What's worse, closet smokers or ex-smokers?

 

[Luisa]

The central problem is that the "culture war" around cigarette smoking is over and the anti-smoking lobby won. Currently most people (including most politicians) see e-cigarettes as CIGARETTES, not as an alternative or a therapy. Therefore, they know that supporting them goes against mainstream thinking on cigarettes and none of them want to be on the wrong side of a "concluded culture war."

That said, slowly but surely people are starting to understand that PVs are not cigarettes and need to be considered in a different light. It's just going to take time. A LOT of time. This election probably won't have any significant impact on our cause.

This election is huge!! We got rid of Waxman as a committee chair and the likely Republican replacement will be far easier to work with. You are right about a politician having to deal with the stigma of smoking,but pushing harm reduction is certainly a more politically correct way to go and will be easier to get political support. We will have many committee chairs that will at least listen to us now.

 

[D103]

I agree with Kristin and Maxx re: BT They may very well be sitting on the sidelines waiting for the legal resolutions - staying out of the fray so to speak but definitely not inactive - it is very likely they are already geared up and ready to roll. It remains to be seen what exactly they will do in the event e-cigs are classified as 'tobacco products'. My fear is they will, in their own way, help the FDA to contrive expensive regulatory standards that would enable them (because they can afford it) to get into the e-cig business and eliminate all current competition (because it is uncertain to what extent China will comply with U.S. regulatory standards and current U.S. manufacturers would not be able to afford compliance.) And I agree with Maxx's observation re: the duality and irony to e-cigs similarity to actual smoking: In the words of the famous T.V. sleuth detective, Adrian Monk, "...it's a blessing...and it's a curse."

 

[Surf Monkey]

This election is huge!! We got rid of Waxman as a committee chair and the likely Republican replacement will be far easier to work with. You are right about a politician having to deal with the stigma of smoking,but pushing harm reduction is certainly a more politically correct way to go and will be easier to get political support. We will have many committee chairs that will at least listen to us now.

I hope you're right, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

[D103]

Regarding the politics/election.....with the significant change in power it will be interesting to see how the Tobacco Control crowd will deal with it. I think if they continue with their "nanny" mentality, fearmongering, "save the children" rhetoric, that will fall on deaf ears with many/most Republicans and will be viewed as "intrusive" into personal freedoms. I am curious as to whether their rhetoric will shift to a focus on China - past health and safety problems-to include horror stories both real and fictional, as well as the economic angle - import/export issues, both countries GDP and I wouldn't be surprised to see mention of product tampering concerns re: China and using scare tactics related to "terrorism...biological weapons...and the ever popular "drug smuggling ring".

 

[kristin]

Remember, too, that BT easily rolled over on the "flavored tobacco" issue because the flavors weren't really making them much money anyhow. The held onto the flavor that sold the most - menthol. So, if they do get into e-cigs, where flavors are a huge part of the adult market, they would probably fight harder for it.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Yes, or just offer unflavored and menthol liquid. All that means is that people would have to mix their own flavorings, though it would be a problem for a lot of people who don't want to be bothered ordering flavoring and mixing it with their base liquid.

 

[Vocalek]

And I agree with Maxx's observation re: the duality and irony to e-cigs similarity to actual smoking: In the words of the famous T.V. sleuth detective, Adrian Monk, "...it's a blessing...and it's a curse."

So they never heard of that old saying, "Where there's smoke there's fire"? No fire, ergo no smoke.