blu eCigs owner Jason Healey repeatedly refers to vaping as "smoking", endorses FDA deeming reg (which would ban all e-cigs)

[Bill Godshall]

After we convinced the White House OMB to reject FDA's most recent e-cig regulatory proposal (because it would ban all e-cigs), blu eCigs owner Jason Healey tells Bloomberg News he supports FDA regulation of e-cigs, and repeatedly refers to vaping as "smoking". Do E-Cigarettes Encourage People to Smoke Tobacco?: Video - Bloomberg


Seems like some e-cig companies are more interested in helping e-cig prohibitionists than in keeping e-cigs legal to manufacture, sell and use.

 

[Anjaffm]

Is he weird or something?
Or does he think his product will - miraculously - be excempt from the regulation?
(As is the case in the EU, where the only e-cigs that will comply with the intended "regulation" are the ones that are made by Big tobacco)

 

[DrMA]

I didn't see that interview in as dim a light as Bill, however Healey's presentation was egregious. What in the world is he thinking calling vaping smoking?

His responses could've been far stronger against the moralizing mom who would rather hide her kids in the closet than explain to them how the real world actually works. Then there's the comparison of risk he could've made with auto exhaust, or the influence upon kids of seeing drinking in restaurants.

 

[rothenbj]

Is he weird or something?
Or does he think his product will - miraculously - be excempt from the regulation?
(As is the case in the EU, where the only e-cigs that will comply with the intended "regulation" are the ones that are made by Big Tobacco)

That may be precisely his message. If Big Tobacco works with the FDA to develop regulations, those regulations are guaranteed to protect their investment.

 

[Hulamoon]

Plus 1 from me - the key is that 2007? 2009? cut off which would allow his cruddy little products to basically be the only ones on the market. Cigarettes are FDA approved and legal; q.e.d. a heated cigarette should work just as well as an ignited one from his point of view, having the same composition of gawd knows what in the liquid….

That may be precisely his message. If Big Tobacco works with the FDA to develop regulations, those regulations are guaranteed to protect their investment.

 

[JerryRM]

That may be precisely his message. If Big Tobacco works with the FDA to develop regulations, those regulations are guaranteed to protect their investment.

So, the vicious circle of smoking/NRT/smoking/NRT will continue, meaning profits for BT and BP, plus continued tax money for the gubmint. It works out to their advantage and our loss.

 

[Navy20]

As of right now, it appears that those with very deep pockets such as Big Tobacco and the Pharmaceuticals, have the intention of making sure that the rest of us shall pay a pretty penny to enjoy our new found freedom from them. The price paid by the average citizen to such entities has been overwhelming. I am having a real hard time trying to figure this game out or perhaps it is just so damn simple that logic doesn't play into it. Let me see, Am I correct or confused? Pharmaceuticals develop products to replace nicotine addiction thus taking away from Big Tobacco . . . Big Tobacco starts to buy up e-cig companies to either control the market or to put away so that the average everyday individual must still be dependent upon them. The government at all levels says that "smoking" is bad for all yet, at the swing of a gavel, says that e-cigs are an evil that cannot be tolerated as well. Perhaps the bottom line is the "control of the people" and "taxation". Being one of the "rebellious generation", I don't care much for the control portion, and as for the taxation, don't we pay plenty of taxes. Appears the Government has no problem spending our money.

 

[JerryRM]

You got it, Navy, "control and taxation".

 

[Gato del Jugo]

Mr. Healey is not the owner of Blu

Lorillard, i.e., Big Tobacco, is...

 

[Endor]

I didn't see that interview in as dim a light as Bill, however Healey's presentation was egregious. What in the world is he thinking calling vaping smoking?

His responses could've been far stronger against the moralizing mom who would rather hide her kids in the closet than explain to them how the real world actually works. Then there's the comparison of risk he could've made with auto exhaust, or the influence upon kids of seeing drinking in restaurants.

Yeah, whats up with that? "My children dont even know what smoking is!" What planet does she live on?

Although Healey's responses could have been much stronger, we cant forget its all about the children.

Regarding FDA regs, remember that Blu would have little problems complying with them.... they are BT and already deal with the FDA on cigs. They stand to win as strong regs decimate the rest of the industry. So of course hes all for them, no surprise there.

 

[2coils]

Our own forum used the term "e-smoking", which bothers the heck out of me (that horse has already been beat to death). Considering the barrage of questions presented to him (all in opposition), I think he did pretty well. except for the "all for FDA regulation part"

 

[stevegmu]

I thought his responses were quite good and positive; but I actually watched the interview...

 

[rvc]

"we've got to make sure it's manufactured right and it's protecting the consumer" Code words for give it to cigalikes and BT; but I actually watched the video twice...

 

[oplholik]

As of right now, it appears that those with very deep pockets such as Big Tobacco and the Pharmaceuticals, have the intention of making sure that the rest of us shall pay a pretty penny to enjoy our new found freedom from them. The price paid by the average citizen to such entities has been overwhelming. I am having a real hard time trying to figure this game out or perhaps it is just so damn simple that logic doesn't play into it. Let me see, Am I correct or confused? Pharmaceuticals develop products to replace nicotine addiction thus taking away from Big Tobacco . . . Big Tobacco starts to buy up e-cig companies to either control the market or to put away so that the average everyday individual must still be dependent upon them. The government at all levels says that "smoking" is bad for all yet, at the swing of a gavel, says that e-cigs are an evil that cannot be tolerated as well. Perhaps the bottom line is the "control of the people" and "taxation". Being one of the "rebellious generation", I don't care much for the control portion, and as for the taxation, don't we pay plenty of taxes. Appears the Government has no problem spending our money.

I think your post would be a good one to send to your gov't officials.

 

[stevegmu]

"we've got to make sure it's manufactured right and it's protecting the consumer" Code words for give it to cigalikes and BT; but I actually watched the video twice...

If smaller manufacturers can't abide by certain safety and health standards- like with every other ingestible product, they shouldn't be in business...

 

[wv2win]

Healy is a very weak spokesperson for vaping (probably why they picked him for their attack on vaping segment). There is no doubt in my mind that he was NEVER about vaping being a safe alternative to smoking but ONLY about the money. That hasn't changed. That is why his product is such a poor example of how a good PV works and why Blu has made no attempts to improve their very poor product.

 

[Endor]

If smaller manufacturers can't abide by certain safety and health standards- like with every other ingestible product, they shouldn't be in business...

That's assuming the FDA regulates like other ingestible products.

There is a known difference between eating/drinking something and inhaling it; diacetyl is a perfect example of a substance that is safe to eat (butter flavoring on popcorn) but causes damage when inhaled (obliterative bronchiolitis, or "popcorn lung"). Indeed, responsible eliquid manufacturers avoid adding this directly, but there is some debate that diacetyl and other substances still may be present in food grade flavorings (even if not specifically listed) because they are marketed for eating and not vaping.

A company owned by BT has the resources and clout to subject flavorings for lab analysis to avoid this. Small manufacturers probably don't.

 

[wv2win]

If smaller manufacturers can't abide by certain safety and health standards- like with every other ingestible product, they shouldn't be in business...

Oh, yeah, we must trust in the FDA, Big Pharm and BT because there have been so many deaths and illnesses in the last 7 years for the millions who vape. It has nothing to do with money, power and control, only safety and health, lol.

 

[stevegmu]

That's assuming the FDA regulates like other indigestible products.

There is a known difference between eating/drinking something and inhaling it; diacetyl is a perfect example of a substance that is safe to eat (butter flavoring on popcorn) but causes damage when inhaled (obliterative bronchiolitis, or "popcorn lung"). Indeed, responsible eliquid manufacturers avoid adding this directly, but there is some debate that diacetyl and other substances still may be present in food grade flavorings (even if not specifically listed) because they are marketed for eating and not vaping.

A company owned by BT has the resources and clout to subject flavorings for lab analysis to avoid this. Small manufacturers probably don't.

Lab work isn't as expensive as many people think. I'm sure the vendors I buy from would have no problem with lab analysis; a nom and pop making e-juice in their basement? Maybe not, but that's the cost of doing business...

 

[stevegmu]

Oh, yeah, we must trust in the FDA, Big Pharm and BT because there have been so many deaths and illnesses in the last 7 years for the millions who vape. It has nothing to do with money, power and control, only safety and health, lol. It seems every court must have it's jester.

To think an ingestible product will go unregulated forever is just NUTZ...