CASAA teamed up with CEI to oppose DOT plane ban

[Vocalek]

Washington, DC, November 15, 2011 – The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association and the Competitive Enterprise Institute together filed comment to the Department of Transportation opposing the agency's planned ban on e-cigarettes on airlines.

DOT claims authority to ban e-cigarettes from commercial airline flights, based on a federal law banning smoking on flights and on alleged harm posed by e-cigarette vapor. However, e-cigarettes do not emit smoke, they do not produce ash, and they involve no burning of tobacco or any other substance. And there is no research indicating that e-cigarette vapor is harmful to users or bystanders.

“As familiarity with e-cigarettes grows, we're already seeing some local legislators rejecting proposed bans on them,” said Elaine D. Keller, President of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association. “We hope DOT catches on soon."

“DOT’s claim, that using e-cigs is a form of smoking, shows you how far this agency will go to expand its jurisdiction,” said Sam Kazman, CEI General Counsel. “Its arguments are as thin as the stratosphere through which planes fly.”

Link to full article: Government Plan to Ban E-Cigarettes on Airplanes Opposed by Public Interest Groups | Competitive Enterprise Institute

Link to PDF of comments: http://cei.org/sites/default/files/Sam Kazman - E-Cigarette Ban Comments to DOT.pdf

 

[rolygate]

Good work.

One thing this demonstrates is that it would be profitable for us to join with other pro-freedom groups where people's rights are being threatened.

 

[rothenbj]

Nice job Elaine. I wonder if they'll listen.

 

[frosting]

Really fantastic to hear. I hope that teaming up with the CEI will do positive things for the industry. Maybe more people will do real research about PVs before they rush to bash them. I hope it dawns on the DOT sooner then later already... Its Not Smoking!