CALIFORNIA VAPERS: Things are getting ugly...

[FlamingoTutu]

Stefan D has done a remarkable job in the past marshaling the vendors, not an easy task, and probably is now. Do we have a link to his site/blog? Here is a copy/paste of what zoiDman got from Stefan that isn't miniaturized from being squeezed into a quote by ECF.

I don't have the time to get sidetracked into lengthy discussions that usually happen (and derail) on forums but I do have an update to share that I posted earlier today...

There was a public hearing in the Senate Health Committee yesterday for SB-5 (Senate Bill 5) authored by Senator Mark Leno. This bill would effectively classify electronic cigarettes and vapor products as "tobacco products" which would result in California e-liquid manufacturers, being classified as "tobacco manufacturers" and subject to all the rules and regulations which govern tobacco product manufacturers and the sale of tobacco products in the state of California.

SB-5 was voted on and passed in the Senate Health Committee and is now scheduled to move on to the Appropriations Committee where it must be voted on again, and if it passes there it will then move to the House floor for all the California Senators and Assembly representatives to vote on. Then it would go the Governor to be signed into law. So while it did pass the first step, there are still several more steps before it becomes law.

Also, an identical bill is moving through the Assembly called AB-6 (Assembly Bill 6). AB-6 is scheduled to be heard in the Assembly Health Committee next week (we think Tuesday, but it's not fully confirmed yet). AB-6 will likely have to follow the same steps as SB-5.

If/when both SB-5 and AB-6 reach the House floor the 2 bills must then be combined into one for all the Senators and representatives to vote on, and for the Governor to sign into law.

While SB-5 passed the Health Committee, the goal for AB-6 is to get as much opposition for it as possible.

It's important for us as an industry stakeholder and business that would be directly effected by these bills to encourage our customers and consumers to contact their legislators and urge them to vote NO on these bills. CASAA has a very quick and simple form set up to allow Californians to contact their legislators simply by filling in their personal information (address, phone #, etc) and then click 2 buttons. That's it. It takes about 3 minutes. You can find the form here: http://bit.ly/FightForCA

Please encourage ANY vaper or business owner in California to complete this form and submit the letters.

We also need a large turnout at the Assembly hearing next week as well, so as many consumers and businesses that can attend please do.

 

[Katya]

I know! Where is Stefan? We need him--he knows everything! And his wife is also a great activist. Does anyone have any links to their current sites? Blogs?

 

[Lessifer]

The Northern California (NorCal) Chapter of SFATA Blog
I believe that is his current blog.

 

[zoiDman]

I know! Where is Stefan? We need him--he knows everything! And his wife is also a great activist. Does anyone have any links to their current sites? Blogs?

I think if we could keep One Thread Strictly Devoted to fighting this CA Legislation, that he might be willing to contribute to it.

 

[Katya]

At least NJOY donated $148000 to legislators...

Njoy has been very good for us, vapers, from the very beginning. Remember Sottera (NJOY) vs FDA, which overturned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s classification of e-cigarettes as a “drug delivery” mechanism? Yeah.

Maybe I'll just go and buy a bottle of Dragonscape (and a pack of Virginia Slims Ultra Lights) to support our supporters.

 

[Lessifer]

notblowingsmoke.org is pretty much dedicated to this right now, lots of info there too.

 

[Katya]

notblowingsmoke.org is pretty much dedicated to this right now, lots of info there too.

And if somebody wants to make a donation to support their campaign:

 

[stevegmu]

Looking at the lobbying expenditures. Altria and Phillip Morris have spent a good amount of money fighting regulations against e-cigarettes. They do have products for sale at most gas stations...

http://center4tobaccopolicy.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Tobacco-Money-Report_FINAL.pdf

 

[Katdarling]

I communicate with Stefan on FB. And I certainly don't mind shooting him a message that his presence would be so greatly appreciated here.

I'll do that right now!

 

[Katya]

I communicate with Stefan on FB. And I certainly don't mind shooting him a message that his presence would be so greatly appreciated here.

I'll do that right now!

That would be lovely, you're a doll!

Tell him we need information and instructions, 'just the facts, ma'am'--we'll take care of the chit-chat.

 

[StefanDidak]

I know! Where is Stefan? We need him--he knows everything! And his wife is also a great activist. Does anyone have any links to their current sites? Blogs?

The past few days since the last hearing.... mostly juggling legislators and lobbyists and our PR folks and the speakers I'm lining up and flying out for next Tuesday. While juggling some structural changes, some bill amendment issues, a phone that keeps exploding with calls, 100+ PM's on Facebook on every average day, a board meeting for NOT Blowing Smoke to approve the bylaws (we're incorporated since a few days ago, onto the next step to file non-profit status), trying to keep folks informed about the plans on Tuesday - which now includes giving traffic updates on the I-5 for folks driving all the way from SoCal.

 

[Katdarling]

Stefan....... thank you.

 

[StefanDidak]

I know! Where is Stefan? We need him--he knows everything! And his wife is also a great activist. Does anyone have any links to their current sites? Blogs?

Sallie went along with me to ECC but is generally sort of "out of the game". Seeing as how I can't step back from doing what I do without things collapsing she's the one working. I'm still after a year and a half funding the activism stuff out of pocket while she works a little more on her end to keep the bills covered. Or rather, she covers the bills that need paying and I cover the bills that need fighting.

 

[Katya]

The past few days since the last hearing.... mostly juggling legislators and lobbyists and our PR folks and the speakers I'm lining up and flying out for next Tuesday. While juggling some structural changes, some bill amendment issues, a phone that keeps exploding with calls, 100+ PM's on Facebook on every average day, a board meeting for NOT Blowing Smoke to approve the bylaws (we're incorporated since a few days ago, onto the next step to file non-profit status), trying to keep folks informed about the plans on Tuesday - which now includes giving traffic updates on the I-5 for folks driving all the way from SoCal.

Speak of the devil and he doth appear... So good to see you again!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you're doing on our behalf! Godspeed--and keep us posted!

 

[StefanDidak]

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.

No need to drop them a line. Geoff, the owner of Tasty Vapor is my fellow co-president in NorCal SFATA. He's already neck deep involved in everything on an almost daily basis.

 

[StefanDidak]

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

Five Pawns have been helpful, financially, in the SoCal SFATA fundraisers that pay for our lobby team and PR firm (for CA purposes both SoCal and NorCal SFATA operate as one). Jay and others have flown out for several bill hearings this year.

 

[StefanDidak]

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.

Problem: SFATA goes to bat for businesses. That may or may not always overlap 1:1 with consumer interests. Consumers should not let SFATA do all the work simply because there are things that are difficult to combat for an industry association. For example, if the age increase from 18 to 21 applied to vapor as it stands (like SB151 would have!) it is very difficult for us to spend political capital (resources, time, energy, conversations, influence, etc.) on fighting that while it gets thrown in our face that the only reason we do that is to get young people "hooked". That is a very typical situation where the consumer voice is important and needs to exist loud and clear. Industry also can't make cessation claims. Consumers can go up by the hundreds (if they'd show up, that is) and one by one say "I quit smoking with this, I oppose this bill" (if that's what they did and is true). On the subject of exemptions, getting exemptions for sampling in stores is often hard enough to get done, moving towards the bigger political "ask" for not including multi-unit housing with shared ventilation is again one of those things where you need to have legislators be told it's opposed by consumers, via consumers.

The reason I've been on the industry side as a volunteer for the past 12+ months is because as much as I tried organizing consumers in the state, it was the businesses that formed around me, showed up, did the work, put in the effort, and more and more started joining in. It also led to a situation where consumer *organization* (I mean the strategical work involved of managing groups of consumers) in California is severely underrepresented and something that absolutely NEEDS to change.

 

[StefanDidak]

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'd love a huge list like that. We have lists with various categorizations but it's not as big as we'd like it. However, using those lists via e-mail poses a problem, especially with the strict(er) rules in CA on what's considered spam. I know, I know... you'd WANT to blast things out to ALL of them as much as possible, alas, that could also get us into trouble if the businesses don't sign up themselves.

 

[StefanDidak]

So am I correct that ABX2-6 will be heard by this Committee on August 25th?

Yes! And I have asked for 1000 people to show up for that one. Not going to get that but I'm sure I'll get a fifth of that.

 

[Katdarling]

Posted on FB, and for the most part, Stefan's words (and message):


Right now SB5 is a ship that sailed. AB6 is our next shot so everyone, please focus on that one. This is where all the firepower needs to be directed. BURN UP the phone lines to the legislators listed.

California Extraordinary Session On Health Care - NOT Blowing Smoke