CALIFORNIA VAPERS: Things are getting ugly...

[FlamingoTutu]

BT did more than anyone- they gave the most money...



The shift came as the Legislature, dominated by Democrats, quietly rejected several bills aimed at reducing smoking and the illnesses that come with it. Legislation to ban smoking on public school campuses, in apartment buildings, and at state parks and beaches withered in committee. Proposals to raise taxes on cigarettes went nowhere. One bill to limit Internet sales of electronic cigarettes was shelved, while another originally meant to restrict use of electronic cigarettes was rewritten to allow them to be sold from vending machines in bars.


Read more here: California Democrats accepting more campaign cash from tobacco industry | The Sacramento Bee

And from the same article:

Republicans received most of the $4.9 million the two cigarette companies have given directly to candidates for the Legislature and other California offices since 2000. Every sitting Republican state legislator received campaign money directly from Altria and R.J. Reynolds. The companies also gave $3.9 million since 2000 to the California Republican Party.

And

The California Democratic Party does not accept donations from cigarette-makers because, spokesman Tenoch Flores said, tobacco companies “do not reflect our values.”

To the latter, as a democrat, I say BS. I was surprised the repubs were getting that much. I know, I shouldn't have been.

 

[Lessifer]

And from the same article:

Republicans received most of the $4.9 million the two cigarette companies have given directly to candidates for the Legislature and other California offices since 2000. Every sitting Republican state legislator received campaign money directly from Altria and R.J. Reynolds. The companies also gave $3.9 million since 2000 to the California Republican Party.

And

The California Democratic Party does not accept donations from cigarette-makers because, spokesman Tenoch Flores said, tobacco companies “do not reflect our values.”

To the latter, as a democrat, I say BS. I was surprised the repubs were getting that much. I know, I shouldn't have been.

I also think the dems are getting less per person than the pubs, since there are so few sitting republicans. However, less than our counterparts does not mean none.

 

[stevegmu]

BT gave to R candidates, but how much to elected R legislators? There can't be many left in Califirnia...

BT has been opposing all these measures because the bills are anti smoking. E cigs just happen to be included in them...

 

[FlamingoTutu]

I also think the dems are getting less per person than the pubs, since there are so few sitting republicans. However, less than our counterparts does not mean none.

Yes. I'll stick with the original game plan and applaud those that stand up against this garbage. It's also my belief that if you are going to put forward something, you research it. Leno is a bald faced liar bought and paid for.

And another question! I'm going to make some phone calls tomorrow--I need talking points. What exactly are we opposing? Per Stefan's instructions, it's just SB-5 (Senate Bill 5) and AB-6 (Assembly Bill 6) that are in play right now. However, per our dear Kitty (and CASAA) there's more...

Any thoughts?

"Here we go again!!!

I guess that since they didn't like the amendments to the other bill, they split it up into pieces...

Here are the (6) New Bills introduced in California after the SB140 (Leno) hearing outcome.
SB-5 Bill Text - SBX2-5 Electronic cigarettes.
SB-6 Smoking in the workplace Bill Text - SBX2-6 Smoking in the workplace.
SB-7 tobacco products: minimum legal age Bill Text - SBX2-7 Tobacco products: minimum legal age.
SB-8 Tobacco use programs Bill Text - SBX2-8 Tobacco use programs.
SB-9 Local taxes: authorization: cigarettes and tobacco products Bill Text - SBX2-9 Local taxes: authorization: cigarettes and tobacco products.
SB-10 Cigarette and tobacco product licensing: fees and funding. Bill Text - SBX2-10 Cigarette and tobacco product licensing: fees and funding.

Bill Text - SBX2-5 Electronic cigarettes.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
118925. (a) (1) It is unlawful for any person to smoke a tobacco product in any vehicle of a passeng...

(taken from a post on the CASAA FB page)"

My head is spinning. I feel better that you guys are confused too.

I tell them that if our government deems 18-year-olds mature enough to fight our wars, then they should also be allowed to have a beer and a smoke.

That's the way I see it.

Bravo! I very, very, very strongly feel this way. Don't want your average 18 yo snockered behind the wheel, but if they're fighting a war, treat them like adults.

Thanks for the list.
One of the co-authors of the age limit bill, is also working diligently to hand over all tax-fine-fee profit to the state, (Mmj) leaving counties with only their share of sales tax after accounting & handling fees are withdrawn. Oh, plus a .5% out of 30% to each county sheriff the state deems appropriate. (Some counties will receive .20%, some zero, it's all up to the state). This puts counties in a hunger state... billions of tax revenue rolling in, but counties receiving paltry sums, if that, even though it is the counties who created the cash flow. The bill above, encouraging counties to rake in more, is an incentive ploy.
I bring this up, so you'll know why they're being arrogant & not worried about vapor businesses closing. The public health is already setting up house for other fields of endeavor. Turning a blind eye to the other endeavors doesn't help in all cases.
My point? We need to reach out to the county officials, city councils, and educate them on the math. The counties should be donating a small percentage to the state (all 58 counties), not the state to the county.

.... . .... .. ....... .... ....!

BT gave to R candidates, but how much to elected R legislators? There can't be many left in Califirnia...

BT has been opposing all these measures because the bills are anti smoking. E cigs just happen to be included in them...

Just happens to be included? RJ Reynolds has actually been helping write some of the state anti vaping legislation.

 

[stevegmu]

I don't believe those conspiracies...

 

[zoiDman]

We need an e-Mail list of California e-Cigarette/e-Liquid Retailers.

 

[stevegmu]

There's 5Pawns. Didn't see anything in their blog about pending legislation...

 

[Lessifer]

We need an e-Mail list of California e-Cigarette/e-Liquid Retailers.

I would hope that might be something SFATA would have, or be working on. Though it wouldn't hurt for us, as consumers to work on it too I guess.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Printed copies of the Public Health England's press release at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...on_for_evidence_based_policy_and_practice.pdf
and perhaps even copies of PHE's full report at
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...ort_commissioned_by_Public_Health_England.pdf
should be sent (or hand delivered) to every CA Senator and all CA Assembly Cmte members who are considering these anti-vaping bills.

 

[zoiDman]

I would hope that might be something SFATA would have, or be working on. Though it wouldn't hurt for us, as consumers to work on it too I guess.

I think Individuals should play as Large of a Role as Possible.

Groups like SFATA and CASAA do fantastic work. But they can Only do so Much. And their Reach only goes so Far.

I contacted a Friend of mine who works in a Local Vape Shop. She knew almost Nothing about any California Legislation. And was only Mildly aware of FDA Deeming.

I don't think She is Atypical when it comes to what is going on in California and at the Federal Level.

 

[Lessifer]

I think Individuals should play as Large of a Role as Possible.

Groups like SFATA and CASAA do fantastic work. But they can Only do so Much. And their Reach only goes so Far.

I contacted a Friend of mine who works in a Local Vape Shop. She knew almost Nothing about any California Legislation. And was only Mildly aware of FDA Deeming.

I don't think She is Atypical when it comes to what is going on in California and at the Federal Level.

That is true, but I know that I have limited time and resources personally, which is why the organizations exist, and I contribute to those organizations as I can. Not trying to pass the buck, just being practical, unless someone wants to volunteer.

 

[Katya]

I think Individuals should play as Large of a Role as Possible.

Groups like SFATA and CASAA do fantastic work. But they can Only do so Much. And their Reach only goes so Far.

I contacted a Friend of mine who works in a Local Vape Shop. She knew almost Nothing about any California Legislation. And was only Mildly aware of FDA Deeming.

I don't think She is Atypical when it comes to what is going on in California and at the Federal Level.

Same here--the few shops in my area I visited recently have no clue. No fliers, no calls to action, no conversations on the subject. Just a bunch of oblivious vapers happily blowing big clouds.

I remember that Tasty Vapor and Nude Nicotine used to be very involved in pro-vaping advocacy, locally, and a few others I don't quite recall, but we need them all to wake up before it's too late.

 

[Endor]

Email sent to my California representatives via CASAA's system.

Bill, thanks for the links... made it easy to modify CASAA's template to include these links as evidence that protecting public health means not over-regulating vapor products.

EDIT: Also, Leno is a babbling fool. Somewhere, a village is missing their idiot, and there he is... in the California Legislature, for God's sake.

 

[Katya]

There's 5Pawns. Didn't see anything in their blog about pending legislation...

Because there is nothing. Just a statement that they are ready to comply with the FDA ruling (from January).

News - Five Pawns

I may pay them a visit. Their flagship store is nearby.

 

[stevegmu]

Because there is nothing. Just a statement that they are ready to comply with the FDA ruling (from January).

News - Five Pawns

I may pay them a visit. Their flagship store is nearby.

You'd think being based out of California they would have some interest in legislation affecting their business...

 

[zoiDman]

Because there is nothing. Just a statement that they are ready to comply with the FDA ruling (from January).

News - Five Pawns

I may pay them a visit. Their flagship store is nearby.

I would think that Five Pawns would want to be Front and Center of a Lot of this. Seeing that they are California Based.

But then again, I have thought that Five Pawns would have done a Lot of things. And so far, that has Not Been True.

 

[Katya]

Bill, thanks for the links... made it easy to modify CASAA's template to include these links as evidence that protecting public health means not over-regulating vapor products.

I wouldn't include both links, Endor. Too much information--it may overwhelm them...

 

[Katya]

You'd think being based out of California they would have some interest in legislation affecting their business...

You would, wouldn't you?

 

[zoiDman]

Same here--the few shops in my area I visited recently have no clue. No fliers, no calls to action, no conversations on the subject. Just a bunch of oblivious vapers happily blowing big clouds.

I remember that Tasty Vapor and Nude Nicotine used to be very involved in pro-vaping advocacy, locally, and a few others I don't quite recall, but we need them all to wake up before it's too late.

I had Forgotten about Tasty Vapor. I think they are up in Oakland if I am not Mistaken. Might have to drop them a line and see what they have to Say.

 

[stevegmu]

You would, wouldn't you?

At least NJOY donated $148000 to legislators...