Ash has written to 49 State AGs...

[Vocalek]

Take a look at IRS Form 13939, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13939.pdf

Do you think that the fact that they refuse to allow you access to some of the information on the site unless you are a paying member can be construed as the violation "Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activities"?

And would writing to the AGs of 49 states constitute "engaged in excessive lobbying activities".

Their stated purpose is "serve as the legal action arm of the nonsmoking community, bringing or joining in legal actions concerning smoking, and insuring that the voice of the nonsmoker is heard."

Yet, they are trying to get rid of a product because they are afraid that too many people will use it to stop smoking. Furthermore, they are unconcerned that they are taking away the only thing that is keeping many of us nonsmokers.

I see this as a violation of "engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices."

 

[Boom!]

Just a noncommittal 'thanks for contacting us' type of form letter but at least it didn't contain anything dire.

Dear Mr. Keilholz:

Thank you for your recent message. We appreciate your contacting the Office of the Attorney General and making us aware of your views.

You may wish also to contact your federal legislators to communicate your concerns. If you need assistance in determining who your United States Representative is, you can contact your county tax assessor/collector's office or use the "Who Represents Me" feature on the Texas Legislature Online website at Texas Legislature Online. You can reach your United States Senators as follows:

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senate
283 Russell Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
United States Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison

The Honorable John Cornyn
United States Senate
517 Hart Senate Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
.: United States Senator John Cornyn, Texas :: Home :.

Again, thank you for writing.

Carlos Ibañez
Public Information & Assistance
Office of the Attorney General of Texas

 

[ladyraj]

I suspect we will all get this type of non-commital response. But the more the we make our numbers known, the more we draw attention. Sadly, as in the master settlement agreement with the 46 AGs getting funds for their state in the late 90's...I suspect the AGs will go with the lobby groups that showed them how to feather their nests! Same game...different decade. 8-o

 

[ladyraj]

Take a look at IRS Form 13939, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13939.pdf

Do you think that the fact that they refuse to allow you access to some of the information on the site unless you are a paying member can be construed as the violation "Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activities"?

And would writing to the AGs of 49 states constitute "engaged in excessive lobbying activities".

Their stated purpose is "serve as the legal action arm of the nonsmoking community, bringing or joining in legal actions concerning smoking, and insuring that the voice of the nonsmoker is heard."

Yet, they are trying to get rid of a product because they are afraid that too many people will use it to stop smoking. Furthermore, they are unconcerned that they are taking away the only thing that is keeping many of us nonsmokers.

I see this as a violation of "engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices."

I submit that you may well be on to "how" ASH and groups of their ilk could be brought down. It's what the government has used against "untouchables" a myriad of times. But I suspect the representative or "face" of such an initiative would not be a nicotine addict, nor an anti-smoking zealot. Only an objective spoke-person with no ties to either group could bring this action to fruition....BUT making the allegations could be just as effective!

 

[YKruss]

Response to letter sent to Virginia AG

Mr. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting the Office of Attorney General Bill Mims. The Attorney General has requested that I respond to you on his behalf.

We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with our office regarding electronic cigarettes. By copy of this email, I will be sure to share this information with our tobacco Counsel.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline A. Kotvas

Community Relations
Office of the Attorney General

I hope that Jacqueline will do what she promised.

 

[ladyraj]

Response to letter sent to Virginia AG

Mr. XXXXXXX:

Thank you for contacting the Office of Attorney General Bill Mims. The Attorney General has requested that I respond to you on his behalf.

We appreciate you sharing your thoughts with our office regarding electronic cigarettes. By copy of this email, I will be sure to share this information with our tobacco Counsel.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline A. Kotvas

Community Relations
Office of the Attorney General

I hope that Jacqueline will do what she promised.

I wonder what the "tobacco Counsel" refers to...is it the ant-smoking advisors? A lawyer that counsels on all issues of tobacco? Or is it a group think endeavor that aid in deciding policy depending on predictions of which way the politics flutter in the wind? At least your voice was heard and responded to I haven't received anything yet. The more we are listened to the better off our stance.

 

[jen28f]

Take a look at IRS Form 13939, Tax-Exempt Organization Complaint (Referral) Form. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f13939.pdf

Do you think that the fact that they refuse to allow you access to some of the information on the site unless you are a paying member can be construed as the violation "Organization is engaged in commercial, for-profit business activities"?

And would writing to the AGs of 49 states constitute "engaged in excessive lobbying activities".

Their stated purpose is "serve as the legal action arm of the nonsmoking community, bringing or joining in legal actions concerning smoking, and insuring that the voice of the nonsmoker is heard."

Yet, they are trying to get rid of a product because they are afraid that too many people will use it to stop smoking. Furthermore, they are unconcerned that they are taking away the only thing that is keeping many of us nonsmokers.

I see this as a violation of "engaged in deceptive or improper fundraising practices."

As I stated in another thread:

Then you look at their tax returns, and for the year 2007, their executive director, John Banzhaf, had an income of $226,500 and benefits worth $33,374. Several other officers all making over 100k per year. Obviously SOMEONE is making a profit here. I would love to see a list of their contributors.

Does anyone know where there may be even a partial list?

 

[TheIllustratedMan]

Isn't it common for the heads of not-for-profit groups to make large salaries? I'm not sure that that's cause for getting their status revoked.

Yvilla, you around this thread?

 

[sherid]

As I stated in another thread:

Then you look at their tax returns, and for the year 2007, their executive director, John Banzhaf, had an income of $226,500 and benefits worth $33,374. Several other officers all making over 100k per year. Obviously SOMEONE is making a profit here. I would love to see a list of their contributors.

Does anyone know where there may be even a partial list?

Look here for recent discussions of Banzhaf, his salary, and the list of board members, 13 of which are listed but conveniently DEAD.

HaloScan.com - Comments
and The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary

 

[Vocalek]

Just a noncommittal 'thanks for contacting us' type of form letter but at least it didn't contain anything dire.

I see this as encouraging. That is the correct answer. Laws are created by the legislature. The AG's job is to enforce existing law.

At this time, the sale of electronic cigarettes does not violate any laws. The Oregon AG overstepped her bounds.

 

[OutWest]

Another way to look at this, ASH is grasping at straws by peitioning the AGs of the various states. Sure, the AGs could overstep their bounds and could cause some problems for all of us, vendors and consumers alike. And is a good reason for all of us to write our AGs with a rebuttal. Like I said, though, I think it shows that ASH is getting desperate.

 

[sherid]

Another way to look at this, ASH is grasping at straws by peitioning the AGs of the various states. Sure, the AGs could overstep their bounds and could cause some problems for all of us, vendors and consumers alike. And is a good reason for all of us to write our AGs with a rebuttal. Like I said, though, I think it shows that ASH is getting desperate.

We can only pray that it is so.