Dear Illinois, [Please Chime In, Guys]

[Belletrist]

Or just flip 'em face down when you're done.

JK FBI.

 

[yanks21]

I believe we should also quote precedence of Arnold in Cali. who vetoed the bill, due to this issue being resolved in Fla. in court.

Thanks

Steve

Mentioned that today during my phone call to Gov. Quinn's office

 

[yanks21]

More Gov'ment regulations... This is why I'm a libertarian.

Thanks for mentioning that

I'm so sick of people making this a democratic issue like Repugs haven't been cowtowing to Big Pharma and Big tobacco for eons - the dems only recently started

 

[miss MiA]

This isn't just that, it's a massive nannying thing too.

 

[aubergine]

Look, there are liberals and conservatives and libertarians and anarchists and all sorts of people happily and affectionately connecting on this thread. PLEASE let's not start with "these socialist democrats" and "repugs" and whatnot in here. "The damn gubmint" should suffice, or if that offends anyone, "the damn people on the other side" in this issue. Ya? OK? Things are crummy enough.



I promise not to diss These United States, and to stick with the issue. Ya?

 

[aubergine]

And on a happier note (this has been a very bipolar sort of day), hell, if Utah can make sense on this one, so can Illinois.

 

[Drozd]

Ok so I cut and pasted and used some of the other folks words in part..But this is what I sent off today...it takes a slightly different angle:

Dear Governor Quinn,

I'm not a constituent of yours, nor will I probably ever be. I'm not a resident of Illinois. I do however travel often for both work and recreation to what up until recently I regarded as your fine state.
Recently, however, I became aware of a great matter of public health concern as well as economic concern. That concern is bill SB3174 which is currently in your state House of Representative. More importantly to me is how this bill concerns electronic cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco.
You probably have very limited exposure to facts about these devices, as do most legislators. The FDA and several states are attempting to ban these life-saving devices, forcing thousands of smokers (who have successfully switched completely to these safer devices) back to smoking deadly tobacco cigarettes. The legislators of these states appear to be placing the health of their tax revenues over that of the health of their constituents. While the FDA released a statement denouncing them last year, they failed to mention that e-cigarettes contain no more carcinogens than nicotine gum or patches. They also did very limited testing on only 2 brands. There are other COMPLETE studies available that directly refute the FDA claims about e-cigarettes. A federal judge has recently ruled that e-cigarettes are a form of a "tobacco product," as they are not for quitting, necessarily, but as a less harmful alternative. The case is currently in appeals court. The results of that case as well as the pending PACT act may well invalidate this bill before you anyway resulting in a tremendous waste of time that could have been better spent. The American Association of Public Health Physicians is endorsing the use of electronic cigarettes as a reduced harm alternative for those who can't or won't quit. They have recently petitioned the FDA to retract their deceiving statements and to reconsider their stance that these are drug devices vs. a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes. Both the state of California and the state of Utah have rejected bans placed before them outright. Seemingly these states legislatures prefer to have all their facts before jumping to action.
Now I'm sure what this really comes down to the state's revenue. I am not so naive as to believe that bills like SB3174 are anything more than an effort to recover taxes the states are losing by decreased tax revenues due to a decrease in cigarette sales. But by all means if anything, propose a tax on the e-cigarettes or the liquids they use, don't just ban them altogether! There are quite a few in the state of Illinois that have made a business of selling these devices and they create jobs, eliminating their business would also cause loss of revenue and jobs in your state.
Let's face facts, many Americans these days are becoming disenfranchised with the course that our government is taking. We have Illegal drugs and guns on our streets. We have millions of Americans unemployed. We are at war (does anyone remember this?) and the US is in a never ending spiral of depression, both economic and personal. And our elected officials are wasting time with healthier alternatives which could potentially create jobs and tax revenue? And it is to my understanding that you are up for re-election. Realistically, are you willing to throw away the votes of those that are trying to become healthier, and less socially unacceptable as well as small business owners that are helping to stimulate the economy in your state. They WILL remember your actions on this issue.
I, personally am an electronic cigarette user. I switched from combustible cigarettes on 11/23/09. I am a cancer survivor. I was encouraged to quit smoking by my oncologist and doctor. All the "traditional" nicotine replacement therapies with their proven, dismal failure rates failed to help me quit. I then discovered the electronic cigarette which because of it's design and the ability to still take in nicotine I was able to eliminate all the additional chemicals and tar and carbon monoxide. My doctor and my oncologist are thrilled with this. I'd also point to the fact that NRTs like the patch and gum are not approved for long term use. I will also point to the fact that with the turmoil that the Nation's health care system is in, people tend to self medicate. It is being found that there are benefits to nicotine in the treatment of people with illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, Alzheimer's, and mental disorders such as ADD, ADHD, and schizophrenia. Often they self medicate with cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes give these people a possibly better alternative to those combustible cigarettes. Do you really want to be the politician up for re-election that takes that option away from them?
Those in power may well, indeed be trying to get us back on regular cigarettes to raise their tax revenues by eliminating the availability of alternatives like electronic cigarettes and smokeless tobacco. But, please keep in mind that the ultimate passage or failure of this bill will not result in my cessation of using this device. It will probably not result in the cessation of it's use by thousands of your constituents. I am not going back to smoking, so you still will not get that tobacco tax revenue from me. I will continue using my electronic cigarette in the state of Illinois whenever I visit, whether you ban them being sold here or not. If it means obtaining them illegally through black market means, then I will become a criminal. Passage of this bill WILL inspire me to spend less time and money in the state of Illinois.

In short Please Veto Bill SB3174 if it crosses your desk... For the sake of the health, happiness, and well being of your constituents; For the good of your re-election efforts; For the good of your state and the revenue it generates. Bill SB3174 will hurt the state of Illinois more than it helps.


Sincerely,



"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." -Thomas Jefferson

 

[lonercom]

I am working on an appropriate letter to Il. Gov and Legislators as well. If you've read any of my past posts, you know that I really really need to rewrite and censor myself. I know it and I love myself anyway.

The second thing that Il. residents should do is flood Springfield, Chicago and other local newspapers with letters to the editor. Tons of them. Daily.

They will get printed. The Governor and most legislative bodies have full time employees that read those and bring them to their employers attention.

Editorial staff have even gone so far as to write large articles on topics that get massive responses in that section. It's where most grass-roots movements are born.

 

[Belletrist]

very nice idea, with the editorials--

 

[maxx]

Letters to the editor (if they get printed) are much more effective than letters to politicians themselves. The politician gets a letter and shrugs...that's just one person he thinks. His secretary (who he is likely molesting) hands him the morning newspaper where he is getting criticized?

He puts his pants back on and calls his PR guy.

 

[Katya]

Look, there are liberals and conservatives and libertarians and anarchists and all sorts of people happily and affectionately connecting on this thread. PLEASE let's not start with "these socialist democrats" and "repugs" and whatnot in here. "The damn gubmint" should suffice, or if that offends anyone, "the damn people on the other side" in this issue. Ya? OK? Things are crummy enough.



I promise not to diss These United States, and to stick with the issue. Ya?

United we stand.

 

[wader2k]

Look, there are liberals and conservatives and libertarians and anarchists and all sorts of people happily and affectionately connecting on this thread. PLEASE let's not start with "these socialist democrats" and "repugs" and whatnot in here. "The damn gubmint" should suffice, or if that offends anyone, "the damn people on the other side" in this issue. Ya? OK? Things are crummy enough.



I promise not to diss These United States, and to stick with the issue. Ya?

Wholehearted agreement here!

Neither party has a monopoly on the nanny state.

 

[miss MiA]

Wholehearted agreement here!

Neither party has a monopoly on the nanny state.

I didn't notice anyone saying they did. Myself I pointed out that the ecig debacle isn't just about 'cowtowing to Big Pharma and Big Tobacco' as was said, since it isn't, and in making contacts and deciding who to contact etc. it's probably good to remember that.

 

[Belletrist]

i think wade was just referring to the fact that it's usually the dems designated as nannies.

either way, i'm fairly disgusted with both parties and have been for quite a while, regardless of who kowtows and who nannies. & on board with a little unity here too, regardless of our individual politics.

 

[leaford]

Well, I posted my take on things on my blog: Leaford – An E-Smoker Forever! Illinois moves to ban the sale of Electronic Cigarettes – SB3174 passes IL Senate, moves to House.

 

[scheherezade]

Letters to the editor (if they get printed) are much more effective than letters to politicians themselves. The politician gets a letter and shrugs...that's just one person he thinks. His secretary (who he is likely molesting) hands him the morning newspaper where he is getting criticized?

He puts his pants back on and calls his PR guy.

Have to agree with the editorials. The problem is that people are very quick to believe the press, and unfortunately, much of that has been negative. The more positive information that goes out to the general public, the more of a chance that e-cigs gain acceptance. Cite the evidence as well as anecdotes. People tend to believe it a lot easier when theres numebrs and references to back it up. (even though many rarely check it...sigh)

 

[CES]

Well, I posted my take on things on my blog: Leaford – An E-Smoker Forever! Illinois moves to ban the sale of Electronic Cigarettes – SB3174 passes IL Senate, moves to House.

Great blog entry. Thanks!

 

[Belletrist]

nice article lea!

 

[wader2k]

I didn't notice anyone saying they did. Myself I pointed out that the ecig debacle isn't just about 'cowtowing to Big Pharma and Big Tobacco' as was said, since it isn't, and in making contacts and deciding who to contact etc. it's probably good to remember that.

It has been relatively calm here, although I did see a few derogatory terms aimed at "Repugs" earlier in this thread. In other forums and threads it has degenerated much worse.

That kind of thing divides us. If we wish to come out on top of this issue we must remain UNdivided. We are neither Republican nor Democrat here. We are united by our use of PV's.....plain and simple. If we allow political ideology to separate and divide us then we have already lost the battle.

i think wade was just referring to the fact that it's usually the dems designated as nannies.

either way, i'm fairly disgusted with both parties and have been for quite a while, regardless of who kowtows and who nannies. & on board with a little unity here too, regardless of our individual politics.

I do not wish to share my political affiliations either way. Suffice it to say I voted for Ross Perot way back when. Hey, he actually got almost 20% of the vote!

My only point is that we cannot afford to be divided by bickering and political feuding. The system we are up against is a master at getting us sidetracked and discouraged. I don't believe there is a hill of beans difference between the 2 parties anymore. All the pols continue to act in their own best interests and NOT their constituents....bottom line. They seem to think they know better than us.

I have to stop now....

 

[Belletrist]

well said, wade.