A Pressing Issue

[TheScrye]

I will actually be using a quote from a post by Kristin, she seems to have a way with words that I would love to imitate, but can't. See here we go.

The general public should be OUTRAGED that the FDA and other parties are trying to take away or make more difficult to obtain something which would dramatically affect the lives of EVERYONE in one way or anther.

Yet, the public hasn't received a rational PR campaign from the side of e-cigs. All they see is rabid postings filled with name-calling and conspiracy theories and press releases claiming the virtues of e-cig obviously made by e-cig sellers, which is like seeing a press release from McDonalds saying french fries are healthy.

A video like Leadgolem was describing would tug at the heartstrings of Americans. Imagine interviews with kids smiling and happy that mommy & daddy aren't smoking anymore. Articles showing how the switch to e-cigs would financial affect medical & insurance costs for non-smokers. How non-smokers wouldn't have to walk through a cloud of smoke outside the office building door. How their spouses are now sitting next to them, rather than out in the garage smoking. How it would cut down on new users, as kids can't pinch cigarettes from their parents anymore. How it would benefit the environment with no butts and other trash generated by tobacco cigarettes, etc, etc, etc.

It's one of the reasons I started writing my own articles - to counter all of the horrid PR that greedy vendors and militant vapers are spewing - completely alienating the one group we REALLY need on our side - the general public. We need to counter these press releases by the FDA & ASH in a calm, reasoned and intelligent manner, yet pull on America's heartstrings. The PR from ASH and FDA look official and like they are factual. They do not get emotional, yet use word that trigger fear. We need to do the same thing - but also point out to them what they REALLY need to fear.

Ultimately, it's the court of public opinion that influences our legislators and laws. Uproar is what gets laws passed and laws changed. that takes having the public on our side.

Obviously, we aren't getting the messsage out right or otherwise these states wouldn't be falling for the ASH and FDA propoganda.

Sorry Kristin for taking this to somewhere else, but I think this point needs to be place here for people to discuss that may not look at the docket. This is an important issue folks, the FDA is trying to get our beloved life saver of a product banned. Our hope for fighting this is to ban together with those in your community, especially any member here that is near you to implore the media to get the true story out there. All anyone who doesn't know better can think of is the press coverage by the FDA and ASH that tosses the "Anti-freeze" ingredient idea around. They don't know that it's actually a common ingredient in fog machines, ice cream, and other food products.

 

[Madness008]

A professional quality video should be made addressing some of Kristin's points. A good 5-10 minute video with quality picture and sound addressing the benefits of e-cigs and why it is important that the FDA doesn't take them away.

 

[kristin]

No problem. I can write articles all I want, but we need more people involved!

Just a thought - one of the biggest myths ASH is spreading is that kids will want this product. How about someon with a camera go out and do a "guy on the street" survey of teens they see (at the mall even) and ask them what they really think?

 

[TheScrye]

oh this thread! lol.
*does a couple of editing tricks and wa-la, right post in right thread*)

I'm with you Kristin, and I only joined this community a couple of days ago, lol.

Sitting around wont work in our favor I don't think. I hope this judge is fair, and considers the information given and gives the best possible verdict. Either way, I think Suns right, things will change. Yet our actions could potentially help them change in a more favorable way then all this doom and gloom conversation is making us think.

I don't think we can let it get to the point that this incredible device is banned, that we should be forced to go back to analogs or quit altogether. Most of us can't, we've tried, we've used FDA approved aids, and none of them worked. Yet here it is, this miracle product that has gotten a lot of us away from those disgusting analogs (something I'm still using, cause I'm waiting on some shipments so I can test this for myself. Yet I believe the claims everyone has made here). If this thing has saved your life, like it will mine, I'm sure. It just doesn't seem right that we are sitting back. The gavel may drop, but when has that stopped people who -believe- with all their hearts in something?

 

[Paworkingmom]

I am new to all this, how can help?

 

[HYDRO]

Please don't take anything I say wrong because the thought of the FDA banning ECIGS makes me sick & I see rite thru the BS reports to the real rea$on....

I ask this because I need to know, If it does BAN ECIGS it will create a Vacuum of consumers like us that have quit analogs & now need ECIG / Accessories... Won't we still be able to buy them from vendors not in U.S. ?

There has to be ways around a BS FDA ban... How can I go online & buy thousands of XANAX w/out a RX but the FDA can stop me from getting an ECIG ???

 

[TheScrye]

This has been an option under discussion quite consistently with this. None of us doubt that it will be possible to still attain all of our supplies. It's just to bad for any US distributor that are around these boards. Their businesses will be shut down, and all of our orders will run risk of being seized by the FDA and at that point really, any government official.

We all seriously doubt that they will be seizing that many shipments, there will just be to many, and it's nearly impossible especially on their reduced budget to do so. Yet it will take away this wonderful alternative away from many Americans who could use this to stop smoking those 70+ carcinogens that are in analogs. The majority of people are not going to jump through any hoops in order to attain something that has been banned. Plus with the negative spin that the FDA is putting out there through misinformation has already stopped many smokers from switching over, even though it could definitely save and lengthen their life. As well as raise their quality of life.

E-cigs by all means should be an option for everyone (of legal age). I know I'll still do everything in my power to continue to get my equipment, until the day comes that I decide to drop the habit all together. Yet, I care about everyone else who should be considering these with all the facts laid out there.

As for the person who asked what he could do, well, first thing could be to send an e-mail or letter to Governor Schwarzenegger to look into the case. Kristin has a wonderful article that many have been sending him links for. If he vetos the bill trying to be passed in CA to ban this product there it will help our cause in many ways. The press on that alone could push people to take a hard look on it. Another is to find any petitions out there on this cause and get involved. It all depends on what your willing to do to get your voice heard.

This is America, and people can still get their voices heard. It may be hard, it may be work, but it's possible. I would love to find people in Vegas or the surrounding area to get involved with. As a collective the chances are better.

 

[Leadgolem]

A professional quality video should be made addressing some of Kristin's points. A good 5-10 minute video with quality picture and sound addressing the benefits of e-cigs and why it is important that the FDA doesn't take them away.

Is there some way we could take up a collection for the production of such a video with a reasonable assurance it would be used for this purpose?

I personally have no problem donating to such a cause, but I do not have the skill to produce such a thing.

 

[frankie1]

The internet is an invaluable tool for us. We just need a concerted effort to get the information out to people who otherwise would not search for it. If JQP doesn't smoke, he/she is not looking in the places the information is posted.

How about a cause on facebook? I know that sounds childish, but Obama won a presidency on savvy use of the internet!

 

[TheScrye]

Could work, my knowledge with facebook and myspace is limited. Anyone willing to take up that time and put something out there and promote it?

 

[frankie1]

I know so little about either. I have both! LOL I know there are "causes" on Facebook but I will have to try and find a way to establish one. I wonder if there are not better avenues? A lot of kids jumped on Facebook and I think it is mostly young kids although my two young adult (29 and 32...guess not so young anymore) children use is some. Does anyone know of a similar mainstream product that reaches older adults?

 

[hifistud]

Myspace is populated by youngsters, whereas Facebook seems to have a demographic which is much more adult - starting a cause is relatively easy, too...

 

[frankie1]

Myspace is populated by youngsters, whereas Facebook seems to have a demographic which is much more adult - starting a cause is relatively easy, too...

At first glance, I didn't see how one would do that! LOL I really think our cause should be specifically about nanny governments with the PV issue being the prime example. Kristen's statement:

"The general public should be OUTRAGED that the FDA and other parties are trying to take away or make more difficult to obtain something which would dramatically affect the lives of EVERYONE in one way or anther."

is a terrific lead in...at least in the US.

 

[TheScrye]

I kind of got that impression with myspace as well. It's a little harder to work with to, not as straight forward and easy to navigate.

This thread got barried.

 

[Madness008]

Facebook is a good idea.

 

[sunshine87]

the kids/teens i work with are against smoking, and are happy that the ecigs are becoming more popular so they dont have to breathe in 2nd hand smoke or smell it. And very glad that i finally quit!

 

[TheScrye]

Good to know, maybe they can help bring further awareness to the cause. Anyone willing to put in just a small amount of work to help keep these life savers from being banned will be a wonderful contribution.

 

[ndstrctbl]

well as of right now i have a group on facebook dedicated to e-cigs...if we can somehow use that(for those of you that know more about the law than i do) i would certainly allow it to be used for this purpose.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=153998398320

 

[ndstrctbl]

if someone would like to use that to contribute to the cause, i can make someone an admin...as long as they are responsible and can put up reliable trustworthy information and use it in the correct way. decisons desicions...

 

[dee5]

e smokey treats electronic cigarette has a facebook page.....