California -- SB 648 would ban the use of e-cigarettes wherever smoking is banned

[shoogdadi]

The ANTZ are trying to sell the idea that ANY risk is objectionable. But nothing is 100% safe. We should start explaining that when we say "99% safer than smoking" that means health risks so low that any other product with the same health risks would be considered SAFE.

This is a very valid point of contention, and I will be adding it to all of my future letters. Taking in a single breath of Central Valley air isn't even 100% safe, that kind of thinking is very naive. Like many have said, this is sad but hardly unexpected. Typical of California politics, and for me August can't come fast enough. Finally blowing this popsicle stand. I'll be fighting and writing until the day we move, but honestly I can't wait to back to Louisiana where this issue isn't even a twinkle in the machines eye. Thanks again to all that were in attendance and those that wrote their reps. We still have a shot at beating this, but it's gonna take alot of patience, pressure, and persuasion. Keep up the full court press.

 

[Berylanna]

Watched the video ... "GREAT JOB" to the speakers who represented all of us!!!!! THANK YOU.

And wow, there were so many there supporting ecig's. Thanks to all of them, too.

It's hard to understand why they'd pass this bill with no "real" evidence and it was said more than once that "further study is needed" - even one of the senators said the study presented against ecigs was "questionable".

Could it be perhaps they had their minds made up before ... and nothing said really mattered?

Or maybe they thought it was best to "play it safe" ... Dunno.

She's the Senate Majority leader, she can seriously harm their bills. I'm only hoping it is safer to vote against her in the Senate than in committee. Dunno how much the House needs her cooperation.

She needs a credible primary opponent. We need to work for him/her. I'd be flabbergasted if a Republican could win in the particular district she's from -- if they don't sign up with Norquist they can't win a primary and if they do, they can't win the election, unless they're from a conservative county. She's East Bay.

I doubt they all had their minds made up, this is not a city or county level body. Some, maybe. But I think getting her out of office is the only hope of EVER reversing this if is passes.

Per Greg, letters to Senators don't go "on the record" but letters to the person who takes "written testimony" does. Since we now know we only get 3 speakers, next time we all need to submit written testimony even if we're going. AND since going outside is not a hardship in California, we need to focus on getting more OUTDOOR places exempted from the ban, ESPECIALLY places where the ban is in place because of cigraette butts or fire danger.

She is crying "public safety" but the IMO her real goal is "ban vapers from enjoying California."

 

[Berylanna]

It was the Puritan ("Prue") Talbot study from UC Riverside.

Oooohhhhh, then she got that wrong too. I thought the UCSF study was about "how to lie to smokers to get them to stop."

 

[sbdivemaster]

It's hard to understand why they'd pass this bill with no "real" evidence ...

There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.

Cross reference with my sig quote...

 

[Pinkcloudtracy]

Could it be perhaps they had their minds made up before ... and nothing said really mattered?

Or maybe they thought it was best to "play it safe" ... Dunno.

I believe this is the case. I've seen this process from the inside. When I was a police officer in the Capitol in the 90s, I was married to probably the most high powered lobbyist in history. He was the Chief Lobbyist for the CCPOA (California Correctional Peace Officers Association,) and worked directly under under Don Novey. They were responsible for Megan's Law and the Three Strikes initiative (which by the way as a cop I didn't much care for. Good way to get cops killed if you ask me, but he didn't,) Anyway, he made CERTAIN he had a yes vote from the majority and promised in return the devotion and votes of the prison guards, all 70,000 of them as well as massive contributions to campaigns. Money money money baby. We went to fundraisers at places like Pebble Beach and thousand dollar a plate dinners in San Francisco. Fun and yet I always felt like I was dancing in blood money.
Fortunately with term limitations and limitations on contributions, the back door lobbying has slowed greatly, but not dead yet. CCPOA may have been the most powerful in California, but a piss-ant compared to Big tobacco and Pharmaceuticals who still wield great power.

We heard Mister Chairman and several committee member say things like "As I discussed with you before, I am going to pass this bill, but would like a few amendments," to which she basically said, "yeah yeah whatever." I almost put the wording in my speech, "I'm sure you have already made you're decisions, but ask you to please keep an open mind," however, I didn't want to push my luck. Truth is, we have nothing to offer them. Votes? Reelection? Nadda. There aren't enough of us to make a big enough splash.

Perhaps our best shot is to start pounding the media. Newspapers, news shows and the like. But until we get good solid facts, we're stuck. The ..... of it is, how do we get funding. It's no surprise there aren't more studies, such studies would discredit those who wish to keep us sick and purchasing their products so they have the money to pay big bucks to lobby in their behalf. Kind of a vicious circle.

Unless you can find an honest politician who REALLY places public health over reelection, our chances today are slim to none.

 

[ClippinWings]

Perhaps our best shot is to start pounding the media. Newspapers, news shows and the like. But until we get good solid facts, we're stuck. The ..... of it is, how do we get funding. It's no surprise there aren't more studies, such studies would discredit those who wish to keep us sick and purchasing their products so they have the money to pay big bucks to lobby in their behalf. Kind of a vicious circle.

Unless you can find an honest politician who REALLY places public health over reelection, our chances today are slim to none.

We need to hit Tim Conway Jr on KFI AM640

He's a former smoker... an eCig user... and he's on the most powerful (politically speaking) talk radio station in the state.

 

[Sandiej02]

Perhaps our best shot is to start pounding the media. Newspapers, news shows and the like. But until we get good solid facts, we're stuck. The ..... of it is, how do we get funding. It's no surprise there aren't more studies, such studies would discredit those who wish to keep us sick and purchasing their products so they have the money to pay big bucks to lobby in their behalf. Kind of a vicious circle.

Unless you can find an honest politician who REALLY places public health over reelection, our chances today are slim to none.

As a retired Director of Advertising, I can say ... NEVER underestimate the POWER of the media!!

I agree this would be a great avenue to pursue, in addition to whatever else can be done.

 

[ClippinWings]

OK, I hope with all those likes I am getting, we don't overly bombard Tim Conway Jr... LOL

 

[Demiurgous]

OK, I hope with all those likes I am getting, we don't overly bombard Tim Conway Jr... LOL

His gmail address is at the link you posted...

The ..... of it is, how do we get funding. It's no surprise there aren't more studies, such studies would discredit those who wish to keep us sick and purchasing their products so they have the money to pay big bucks to lobby in their behalf. Kind of a vicious circle.

Pretty sure funding would be available for testing. You'd have to have a reputable place willing to do so, but I'm pretty confident the funding can be secured.

 

[DC2]

Unless you can find an honest politician who REALLY places public health over reelection, our chances today are slim to none.

There are more of those than people think, but the higher up the political ladder you go, the less likely you are to find any.

 

[Berylanna]

There are more of those than people think, but the higher up the political ladder you go, the less likely you are to find any.

Unless we're willing to actively help with the reelection of those who support us, and with opponents of the worst offenders, we are risking letting the ANTZ attack our supporters with no defense. The higher up the political ladder you go, the more people got there by defeating the ones who were voting sanely.

 

[slider]

Sent to Senator Corbett:

Subject: Your Bill will cause people to DIE. Do you want this blood on your hands?

I am keeping this email short so you will have time to read it:

1. This Bill will cause people to die! It forces e-cigarette users to be subjected to second hand smoke by not allowing them to vape in a smoke free area (second hand smoke kills). It will discourage people from using this very successful smoking cessation device and more people will continue smoking (smoking kills).

2. E-Cigarette vapor is safer than perfumes, air fresheners, and deodorants. It's even safer than processed meats, soda, microwave popcorn, farmed salmon, and even some non-organic fruits like apples.

3. The fight is against smoking which is known to cause cancer, not against ecigarettes or even nicotine. Nicotine exists in everyday food items especially plants from the family Solanaceae (such as potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant).

By definition a pot on a stove is considered an ecigarette.

 

[Berylanna]

What I'd really like is two names to put together and get them to talk:

1. A Canadian ECF member who is a Native American and a big advocate for legalizing ecigs to save the lives of Canadian minorities who smoke more than the average population and therefore die more. I'm having a "senior week" and can't remember his signon name. His sig is something to the effect that tobacco is for prayer.

2. The representative from the California Black ...health or medical or something...who supported Corbett because the black population smokes more than the average population and therefore die more.

 

[DC2]

Senate Health Committee

Go to the 34-minute mark.

Well, I finally got a chance to watch that, and it was amazing.

 

[Kabamm]

Yes, amazing. Good job folks. Main take-away is that I don't much like Senator Corbett. Seems like a real party-pooper, and not just on this issue.

 

[sega6830]

Blowing Smoke: Perspectives | KQED Public Media for Northern CA

This made me so upset. Dis-information at its best. How can I stop Carol Denny and other Berkeley-liberal-hippy-pants-do-gooders like her? This was broadcast on NPR, on their "Perspectives" portion, basically an opinion piece. I think an informed vaper should get a chance to share the facts.

 

[Katya]

Blowing Smoke: Perspectives | KQED Public Media for Northern CA

This made me so upset. Dis-information at its best. How can I stop Carol Denny and other Berkeley-liberal-hippy-pants-do-gooders like her? This was broadcast on NPR, on their "Perspectives" portion, basically an opinion piece. I think an informed vaper should get a chance to share the facts.

You can't.

It's hopeless.

Don't even get me started.

Idiots.

 

[Katya]

Recent Archive - California Politics, News, Video and More | The California Channel : California Politics, News, Video and More | The California Channel

Senate Health Committee

Go to the 34-minute mark.

I just watched it! You're the best, Berylanna! Thank you for your efforts!

 

[Berylanna]

I just watched it! You're the best, Berylanna! Thank you for your efforts!

The female speaker was NOT ME. I'm a chicken-..... software engineer.

I was in line to say "opposed" in a bright teal blouse.

I know who she was, but I'll leave it to her to say so here.

 

[Berylanna]

Blowing Smoke: Perspectives | KQED Public Media for Northern CA

This made me so upset. Dis-information at its best. How can I stop Carol Denny and other Berkeley-liberal-hippy-pants-do-gooders like her? This was broadcast on NPR, on their "Perspectives" portion, basically an opinion piece. I think an informed vaper should get a chance to share the facts.

I'm about to leave the country. (Well, only for 2 weeks.)

So I'm not going to break my heart listening to it, though the curiosity is eating me.

I used to support them.

There is a San Jose station of the same type, we should get them to let us on. But I'm not doing ANYTHING for about 3 weeks between my job situation and my family situation at the moment. Though I might be able to show up and support or speak after May 6 if someone else organized it.