ECO - Electronic Cigarette Organization

[Thulium]

Webby, I'm an underemployed network technician/webmaster/support engineer (don't have my MSCE tho) and I'm willing to help wherever I can.

I'm kinda surprised that there's not more support from the techie community for e-cigs already considering that I basically blame my tech career on my smoking habit, and a cigarette that can be used in the office while talking to lusers that even plugs into USB has got to be working in the geek mind. Come to think of it, I'd love to see thinkgeek.com adopt an official e-cig--would do a lot to solidify the business side of it.

As for the ECO...I do like the tobacco Alternatives Group (TAG) name. I like that it is inclusive of systems that are not e-cigarettes as not all PVs are e-cigarettes and I'd like to see branching out with more than just PVs (comparing the efficacy of various NRTs, SCPs, and other potential alternatives to tobacco use such as temporary use of NRTs, etc.).

If you haven't already, I suggest drafting a letter of intent in fairly ambiguous terms that will allow e-cigarette businesses as well as users to gather around. I agree that direct advertisement should be excluded, but a review process and formal "Approved By" labeling system should be implemented so that when we find products that meet or exceed our agreed standards, they can be featured and the products from disreputable companies can be avoided because I believe the biggest problem we face (other than the direct lies from the FDA) is from poor quality manufacturers and distributors acting as a blight on this young business. Companies that don't bother with quality assurance or customer service, or simply indifferent about their product are probably doing more damage than the FDA.

 

[Thulium]

One more thing I like about the "tobacco Alternatives Group" name: It points the finger at the true culprit: Big Tobacco. Its Big Tobacco's money that funds the FDA and therefore Big Tobacco is responsible for the FDA's illegal embargo (It is illegal because the FDA can only seize drugs that it can prove are public health hazards..and their report only shows that e-cigs MIGHT have the same or maybe slightly higher levels of toxins than in approved products.)

It is Big Tobacco that has the most to lose from e-cigarettes...and really they are the only people with anything to lose from e-cigarettes. If the tobacco growers would come together and work WITH the Tobacco Alternatives Group, perhaps we could get through this. In the meantime, I wouldn't be opposed to working with anti-smoking groups like Truth to quash Big Tobacco & the FDA's collusive smear campaign against e-cigarettes.

 

[Sar]

One more thing I like about the "Tobacco Alternatives Group" name: It points the finger at the true culprit: Big Tobacco. Its Big Tobacco's money that funds the FDA and therefore Big Tobacco is responsible for the FDA's illegal embargo (It is illegal because the FDA can only seize drugs that it can prove are public health hazards..and their report only shows that e-cigs MIGHT have the same or maybe slightly higher levels of toxins than in approved products.)

It is Big Tobacco that has the most to lose from e-cigarettes...and really they are the only people with anything to lose from e-cigarettes. If the tobacco growers would come together and work WITH the Tobacco Alternatives Group, perhaps we could get through this. In the meantime, I wouldn't be opposed to working with anti-smoking groups like Truth to quash Big Tobacco & the FDA's collusive smear campaign against e-cigarettes.

I don't think that is necessarily true. It is also big pharma that has something to lose from e-cigs. If you consider that the NRTs success rate is so abysmal and e-cig is comparatively so much better, the NRT market may greatly suffer if e-cigs are not banned.

 

[gr8dane]

TAG is a very catchy name, and the concept behind it is definitely going in the right direction...this isn't only about e-cigs...it's about all the alternatives, present and future. But we aren't really looking at alternatives to tobacco or tobacco products (i.e. nic). We're looking at alternatives to smoking. Don't want to alienate the tobacco growers industry (or their representation on the hill) but instead, invite them on the journey with us, to give them a new market to replace the dying BT cigarette cash cow. JMO

SAG (smoking alternative group) is an option, although as a 56 year old woman, that acronym just plain gives me the willies.

BTW, count me in. I'm pondering what skill set I bring to the table (other than throwing a couple bucks in the hat). I'm very strong at setting clean scope, goals (without letting them get fluffy or complex). Let me know if you guys need a sanity check.

 

[SLDS181]

SAG (smoking alternative group) is an option, although as a 56 year old woman, that acronym just plain gives me the willies.

Its also the same as the screen actors guild.

 

[gr8dane]

If the tobacco growers would come together and work WITH the Tobacco Alternatives Group, perhaps we could get through this.

Sorry, read this after I posted. Obviously, I agree!

 

[eric]

I think we've more than proven the Consumer-side of electronic cigarettes seek representation to fulfill their agenda as well.

We'll have this up and running ASAP. I will file the application on Monday, at which point it will pend review.

In the meantime, between now and Monday morning, we need to establish a name.

Please continue developing names/acronyms for this consumer organization.

Please also note, as this is a consumer organization, the IRS did inform me that we can act without having legal recognition. However, I believe it is important for us to attain legal recognition as we can never be written off as a baseless consumer group, an argument I wouldn't put past groups like ASH. Having our member base and funding recognized by the government is important for formality and authenticity.

Regardless, this does mean that we can, as a consumer group, take any action we see fit in the mean time, including taking donations. Once the website is up and running, we will establish an agenda in regards to designation a Board.

 

[SSRob]

CAFTA or AFTA

Consumer Advocates for Tobacco Alternatives

or

Advocates for Tobacco Alternatives

Beats me...just popped in my head.

 

[eric]

CAFTA or AFTA

Consumer Advocates for Tobacco Alternatives

or

Advocates for Tobacco Alternatives

Beats me...just popped in my head.

I actually really like CAFTA.

 

[gr8dane]

I really like CAFTA too, but gotta tweek (it's in my nature). How about CASA (Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives)...kinda has a homey ring to it, dontcha think?

 

[eric]

CAFTA is great. It already has an air of authority from the governmental acronym CAFTA for "Central American Free Trade Agreement"

When people hear it, they will take it seriously.

 

[eric]

CASA is good, but Smoke and Free are two words.

"Consumer Advocates for Smokeless Alternatives" would be more fitting than Smoke-Free, but Free is a good word and I enjoy it, but that's me

Let's get some feedback.

 

[gr8dane]

"Consumer Advocates for Smokeless Alternatives" would be more fitting than

Ohhh, good call. Personally, I like taking tobacco out of it (for multiple reasons). But that's JMO

 

[WILDJC]

Here's some more, emphasizing the word safe.

SAFE - Smoke-free Alternative For the Environment
SAFE - Smoke-free Alternative For Everyone
SAFE - Smoke-free Alternative Freedom Exchange
SAFE - Smoke-free Alternative Foundation Enterprise


Smoke-free can be hyphenated.

 

[VaporLasVegas]

. .

 

[madman3237]

Let me know if you guys need a sanity check.

I need 1 of those at least 10 times a day!8-o

Google search shows CASA=Court Appointed Special Advocate, Contemporary A Cappella Society of America, Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, Citizens Assisting and Sheltering the Abused.
Not bad company.

SAFE=Self-Abuse Finally Ends, Stop Abuse For Everyone, Saving Animals From Euthanasia, Securing America's Future Energy.
Interesting...

 

[halfevildruid]

By the time you all figure out what to call yourselves, you are all going to look up and see "ecigs officially banned in the usa" all over the tv,

any members in Washington D.C.?

 

[eric]

By the time you all figure out what to call yourselves, you are all going to look up and see "ecigs officially banned in the usa" all over the tv,

any members in Washington D.C.?

I highly doubt that.

 

[BigJimW]

I highly doubt that.

I dunno dude. We need something, and we need it now.

 

[halfevildruid]

I dunno...

Canada, Australia, Dubai, who else?

It's not far fetched.