Good morning, Voltchillians,
Sounds like, Zero, SandySu, Jer, Awsum, Raven, Terry and assorted others are freezing their assets off.
I testified at the state legislature yesterday!!!!!!
I did really good.
First, I asked them if I could give them a hand out that had some information on it. It was a CASAA flyer. They allowed that to be handed out.
I told them how nervous I was to be speaking in public. The chairman was very nice to me.
I started out by complimenting the committee on knowing quite a bit about e-cigs which kind of surprised me. I acknowledged the doctor [whom I didn't really like but who obviously loved being the resident doctor expert] by saying that "I don't like doctors. Of course, doctors are a good thing and you have to see one once in awhile, but I don't like doctors, and I knew if I kept smoking, I was going to be seeing the doctor far more than I want to."
I knew lots of facts and I carefully chose some of the ridiculous statements being made by some of the committee members to rebut. The doctor on the committee kept acting like "We just don't know" what this new fangled contraption might do to your health.
A few key points I made included:
Nicotine, by itself, according to some studies, is not nearly as addictive as cigarettes. Nor is it as addictive as people think. It should not be compared to the addictiveness of .......
Also, the nicotine involved is not all that mysterious. It is made by companies like Johnson & Johnson. The same people that make nicotine for nicotine patches and gum. It is made in India and China and reportedly in the US as well. [Several of the committee members thought that the nicotine seemed mysteriously made. Where does it come from? How do we know its properly made?]
Research is being done and there are plenty of indications that electronic cigarettes are far better for your health than real cigarettes.
There was a quote by an e-liquid vendor that said that e-cigs are not a quit smoking device. I explained to the committee that the guy can't say they are for quitting smoking as the FDA won't allow claims like that to be made by the industry. However, as an individual, I can say that I quit smoking using the e-cig.
I told them my story of being a two pack a day smoker who quit using e-cigs. I explained that I loved smoking. I told them that I was worried about getting short of breath. I was concerned about my husband, who has loved me with all his heart for 15 years. He would be heart broken if I had to tell him I had lung cancer and was going to die. I said "Think about your grandparents, your aunts, your uncles, your cousins. If you do anything to discourage people from quitting smoking by taxing e cigarettes you are hurting them."
I explained that I researched e-cigs and then tried them. I stepped down on smoking and then, eventually, I was down to two cigarettes a day. I decided I could let go of those two cigarettes and have been a non-smoker ever since. That was two years ago.
I told them "What if it isn't 90 plus percent better than smoking? What if it turn out it is 75% better than smoking? It is still better than smoking!"
I did pretty good and the KNBP news people asked to interview me after I was done. Boy, was I surprised.
I managed to recap some thoughts about e-cigs. I told the news lady that e-cigs are essentially the have same ingredients that are in asthma inhalers with the obvious difference instead of asthma medication the device is delivering nicotine. Also, everyone is aware that the state needs to revamp there taxation system but taxes like these were not the answer. This tax would be a small drop in the bucket and not help with the big picture.
Since we were already out in the hallway where the interview happened, we left and went to dinner. We stopped by Nevada Vapers storefront. They are right down town near the Capitol Building. I found out that at the end of the meeting, the committee didn't think taxation was a good idea at this time and were not going to pursue this.
I bought a bottle of e-juice out of sheer politeness. I like my DIY best
I didn't find any flavor that I thought was that great but I found one I thought was acceptable. I got to try 5 or so flavors. I bought something called "The Jeffe" which is a crème brulee tobacco. The people were really nice and it gives me somewhere to refer people that are interested in vaping.
Wonder if Spot can vacuum floors or, better yet, do windows? 
I want one ...... after they grow a personality. 
LIZZIE!! It sounds as if you did an amazing job! You are so brave. I'd never have the courage. Thank you for representing us. Take a bow!
