I think that was the point Randall... they "have a financial interest" in seeing other alternatives to smoking/NRTs fail. According to ladyraj.
Ash has written to 49 State AGs...
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Dear XXXXXXXXX,
It has been brought to my attention, that A.S.H. (Action on Smoking and Health), has petitioned for every state Attorney General's office, to ban the sales of all "electronic cigarettes". This is the reason that I am writing you today. I do understand that these products are unregulated, and for the most part, untested, but I do not believe a state ban is the way to go about this.
I have been smoking for 13 years now, and that is not a proud statement. It is something I started doing using my own judgement, and willpower. Over the years, that same judgement and willpower was not enough to help/make me quit. I even tried prescription medications(Chantix), that are regulated by the FDA, to help me quit, only to have horrible side effects that I never want to relive. And still, I smoke.
Several weeks ago I began researching these "e-cigarettes" on my own, to see if they are something I would be interested in. And, so I was. I just recently began using an "e-cigarette", as they are called, so I won't waste your time with testimonials with no scientific backing. I will however state that ASH receives alot of donations from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which in my opinion is a conflict of interest, because they are linked to the manufacturer of the most widely sold tobacco cessation products (see link: ).
I can also understand the need to protect the public at large, but I believe it is also our duty to protect ourselves. It should be the public that is making sure the purveyors of these products DO have proper testing done, DO label thier products ingredients, and DO make sure they are not marketed improperly.
I am glad that our government, both state and federal, are looking out for the health & safety of the people that they serve, but at what cost to it's citizens? Each day that I, and others like me, cannot break away from tobacco brings me closer to an earlier, more painful death; each day will be another day with more second-hand smoke littering the public and private places that it's still allowed; each day will be another day that myself and others could have had something like an "e-cigarette" save not only thier lives, but the people around them.
I thank you for your time,and I have also put some others links at the bottom of this page that have more information that may help you in your decision. Let me close this in saying that the only thing I will gain from this product, is the rest of my life(I stand to gain nothing monetarily from these products, whatsoever, as I do not vend, sell, or resell these products).
It has been brought to my attention, that A.S.H. (Action on Smoking and Health), has petitioned for every state Attorney General's office, to ban the sales of all "electronic cigarettes". This is the reason that I am writing you today. I do understand that these products are unregulated, and for the most part, untested, but I do not believe a state ban is the way to go about this.
I have been smoking for 13 years now, and that is not a proud statement. It is something I started doing using my own judgement, and willpower. Over the years, that same judgement and willpower was not enough to help/make me quit. I even tried prescription medications(Chantix), that are regulated by the FDA, to help me quit, only to have horrible side effects that I never want to relive. And still, I smoke.
Several weeks ago I began researching these "e-cigarettes" on my own, to see if they are something I would be interested in. And, so I was. I just recently began using an "e-cigarette", as they are called, so I won't waste your time with testimonials with no scientific backing. I will however state that ASH receives alot of donations from Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which in my opinion is a conflict of interest, because they are linked to the manufacturer of the most widely sold tobacco cessation products (see link: ).
I can also understand the need to protect the public at large, but I believe it is also our duty to protect ourselves. It should be the public that is making sure the purveyors of these products DO have proper testing done, DO label thier products ingredients, and DO make sure they are not marketed improperly.
I am glad that our government, both state and federal, are looking out for the health & safety of the people that they serve, but at what cost to it's citizens? Each day that I, and others like me, cannot break away from tobacco brings me closer to an earlier, more painful death; each day will be another day with more second-hand smoke littering the public and private places that it's still allowed; each day will be another day that myself and others could have had something like an "e-cigarette" save not only thier lives, but the people around them.
I thank you for your time,and I have also put some others links at the bottom of this page that have more information that may help you in your decision. Let me close this in saying that the only thing I will gain from this product, is the rest of my life(I stand to gain nothing monetarily from these products, whatsoever, as I do not vend, sell, or resell these products).
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Edited into the previous.....sorry.
I'm no writer, so I definately would like a little feedback. I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing and make my AG push "THE BUTTON".
I'm no writer, so I definately would like a little feedback. I wouldn't want to say the wrong thing and make my AG push "THE BUTTON".
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Although I am very tired right now, I read your letter and I think you did a great job.
Sounds good to me. I wish I could write like some of you do. Not good at letter writing.
Sounds good to me. I wish I could write like some of you do. Not good at letter writing.
Hey, I'm an English teacher, so I edited your letter. Use it if you like. One thing I believe that we should never do is be an apologist. Make strong statements.
It has been brought to my attention, that A.S.H. (Action on Smoking and Health) has petitioned for every state Attorney General's office to ban the sales of all "electronic cigarettes". I believe that a state ban is unjustified and wrong.
I have been smoking for 13 years now. My decision to start smoking is one I regret, but I have been unsuccessful until now in my efforts to quit. I tried available nicotine replacement products, including those suggested by ASH and the FDA. I even tried prescription medications(Chantix), a product that now has a black box warning but approved FDA. The side effects of Chantix were horrible, and I never want to relive that. And still, I smoke.
Several weeks ago I began researching "e-cigarettes" on my own to see if they are something I would be interested in. And, so I was. I just recently began using an e-cigarette. ASH receives huge donations from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, an organization that is linked to Johnson and Johnson a major developer of smoking cessation products.(see link: ). ASH's connection to the makers of tobacco cessation products and its suggestion that smokers use these products instead is suspect and suggests a conflict of interest.
Although I understand the need to protect the public at large, I also believe it is also our duty to protect ourselves. It should be the public that is making sure the purveyors of these products DO have proper testing done, DO label thier products ingredients, and DO make sure they are not marketed improperly.
I am glad that our government, both state and federal, are looking out for the health & safety of the people that they serve, but at what cost to its citizens? Each day that I, and others like me, cannot break away from tobacco brings me closer to an earlier, more painful death. Each day will be another day with more second-hand smoke littering the public and private places that it's still allowed; each day will be another day that myself and others could have had something like an "e-cigarette" save not only their lives, but the lives of people around them.
I have included some others links at the bottom of this page that have more information to guide you in making an informed decision
Hey Fredrick, great expression given logically from the heart. I would only change 2 things:
1) ...unregulated and untested...
I would change this to personal vaporizer that is the bioequivalent to existing FDA regulation of vaporizers used for medicine and vitamin delivery.
2) I would clarify the FDA findings for the eliquid carcinogens found as existing in goods available for purchase at any local store including vegetables, mushrooms, meats, NRT, and tobacco. Further, the DEG found in a single cartridge can be found in every cigarette made by Phillip Morris by way of filter adhesives in the non-tobacco ingredients.
Dr Siegel's blog offers some valuable resources and a blogger refuted most of the allegations by ASH in regards to the e-cig.
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
Thank you. sherid- That is a great revision. (english was always my "summer school" subject back in the school days) I agree with you on the strong statements,but that writing comes from 11 years in the Hospitality industry. I could always be a hard-@$$ to all the guys working for me in the kitchen, but everyone else gets the world.
Thank you too ladyraj- 1)good point, I was scared of giving them other names to ban them under....hoping for a future loop-hole if we don't succeed.
2)I tossed alot of good links that go directly to such information on the bottom of the letter....at the time I could not post links.
Thanks for the great input....I'm off to click some more buttons
I could always be a hard-@$$ to all the guys working for me in the kitchen, but everyone else gets the world.Thank you too ladyraj- 1)good point, I was scared of giving them other names to ban them under....hoping for a future loop-hole if we don't succeed.
2)I tossed alot of good links that go directly to such information on the bottom of the letter....at the time I could not post links.
Thanks for the great input....I'm off to click some more buttons
OK, so now its time to BOYCOTT all Johnson & Johnson products. I'm not kidding people. Hit 'em where it counts, right on their bottomline. From here on out, no J&J products for me! Let's expose these Ba$tards!
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I'm sure you are much better in the kitchen than I am. What I would like to see happen is for people to make demands, threaten with your vote in future elections, and never apologize for being either a smoker or a vaper. We are what we are, and we have numbers if we simply organize ourselves. There are over 45 million smokers in this country with many who may eventually use e cigs. We are a minority, but 20% of the vote is substantial. In the world today there are 1.4 BILLION smokers. Many are ....... We all need to act.Thank you. sherid- That is a great revision. (english was always my "summer school" subject back in the school days) I agree with you on the strong statements,but that writing comes from 11 years in the Hospitality industry.
Thank you too ladyraj- 1)good point, I was scared of giving them other names to ban them under....hoping for a future loop-hole if we don't succeed.
2)I tossed alot of good links that go directly to such information on the bottom of the letter....at the time I could not post links.
Thanks for the great input....I'm off to click some more buttons
OK, here's mine, not sent yet.
I know, I only referenced electronic cigarettes once, but that's just how she flowed for me. I'll make the fiance read it, then send it. What do you guys think?
I know, I only referenced electronic cigarettes once, but that's just how she flowed for me. I'll make the fiance read it, then send it. What do you guys think?
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Here's a handy list of their products.OK, so now its time to BOYCOTT all Johnson & Johnson products. I'm not kidding people. Hit 'em where it counts, right on their bottomline. From here on out, no J&J products for me! Let's expose these Ba$tards!
Health Care Products and Services - Johnson & Johnson
and and interesting look at their reputation
What’s Ailing Johnson & Johnson? | Ethisphere? Institute
The letter is good, however when I read it, I just get that you hate smoking. I don't see anything in it that makes the guy know that e cigs are better than Nicorette.
How about just adding an RE as it is always good to come out with what you are referencing and put your arugment front and center--just a thought so it does not get lost in the words.
quote]
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo
Office of the Attorney General
The Capitol
Albany, NY 12224-0341
August 1, 2009
RE: The Electonic Cigarettee Will Save Millions of Lives and Shoud not be Banned
Attorney General Cuomo:
There are approximately 47.1 million smokers in the United States. Of those people, some 430 thousand will die this year alone from smoking related illnesses. This accounts for a full one fifth of all deaths in our country, making smoking the number one public health hazard. The ill-effects of smoking are estimated to cost our nation 100 billion dollars a year. The monetary cost is comparable to that of the Iraq War, but the loss of life far exceeds that campaign.
Obviously, this trend must be curbed. Despite government efforts such as Healthy People, the percentage of Americans who smoke has remained at a consistent 25%. There are groups and individuals who say “just quit.” There are groups and individuals who attempt to force cessation through smoking bans. Then there are groups and individuals who attempt to reduce the harm caused by tobacco and nicotine use.
There are alternatives to smoking available to those who are addicted to nicotine. Smokeless tobacco can reduce the exposure to carcinogens by up to 3,316% and virtually eliminate lung diseases - such as emphysema and COPD - caused by the inhalation of the products of combustion. Electronic cigarettes can reduce the exposure to carcinogens by a similar amount; or eliminate it altogether.
We currently have 430 thousand people who will die this year from cigarettes, and unfortunately, those people may not be able to be saved. Next year, another 430 thousand people will die from cigarettes. These people may be able to be saved. While it is true that quitting tobacco and nicotine consumption is the best option for them, some people find themselves unable to do so, even with the help of nicotine replacement therapies. We owe it to those people to provide them alternatives that satisfy their needs while reducing the risks associated.
I thank you for your time and hope that you will pursue a reasoned discourse on the topic of harm reduction in regards to tobacco use.
Sincerely,
Nathan P. Dunn
[/quote]
Sun
Well, that's kind of the point. Play to their strengths. Their strengths are SMOKING IS BAD. So what are the alternatives? I suppose I can expand the middle, but it just flowed the way I have it. Where does it need expansion, in your opinion?
[EDIT] hmm... think I got it.. hold please...
[EDIT] hmm... think I got it.. hold please...
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You can play to their strengths by recognizing their argument, but the focus should be the strength of the e cig as opposed to other alternatives. Why should they not ban it? I don't see that in the letter.
Great work Sherid, and I know just how to spread the word to millions...
I need to run a couple of things by my attorney first...
Ok, updated my original post instead of re-posting the whole letter... I didn't address *how* they were better than NRTs, but alluded to the fact that they're different. That's really my point - harm reduction - not quitting altogether. Your opinion may differ.
Sadly I bet that the few of you that even get a response will read like this:
Thank you for your letter.
You are one of many citizens communicating your concerns to our office about e cigarettes.
Rest assured neither myself or my staff will rest until this latest attempt by big tobacco to murder children is abolished.
Since we both feel passionately about this issue I know you want to do your part too. That is why I have enclosed an envelope for you to enclose your donation to help support me in this battle against the terrorist at big tobacco.
It is always a pleasure to here from my constituents and together we will defeat this horrible scourge.
Thank you for your letter.
You are one of many citizens communicating your concerns to our office about e cigarettes.
Rest assured neither myself or my staff will rest until this latest attempt by big tobacco to murder children is abolished.
Since we both feel passionately about this issue I know you want to do your part too. That is why I have enclosed an envelope for you to enclose your donation to help support me in this battle against the terrorist at big tobacco.
It is always a pleasure to here from my constituents and together we will defeat this horrible scourge.
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