From my representative in NY.

[jmpublius]

Thank you very much for contacting me in opposition to legislation (S.695) that would essentially ban the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes in New York State. I greatly appreciate your input.

Specifically, the items prohibited by this legislation would include any product that delivers nicotine that is not currently classified as a tobacco product or approved as a tobacco-use cessation product by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

I understand your concerns with the bill and I thank you for bringing your views to my attention. You raised several valid points, particularly about how e-cigarettes have helped former smokers move away from the habit, and please know I will join you in opposing this measure. For your information, the bill remains under review in the Senate Health Committee.

Thank you again for writing, and please know that I will keep your comments closely in mind throughout the remainder of the Legislative Session in Albany. Please let me know whenever I can be of any further assistance to you.

Sincerely,

George D. Maziarz
Senator, 62nd District

 

[kellie]

That is great

 

[Vapor Pete]

Good news jm. Do you have an address. I'll send him a letter as well.

-VP

 

[jmpublius]

Actually, if you go here:

New York State Interactive Map | New York State Senate

there's a map with all the State Senate Districts and their respective Senators. From there you can send an e-mail directly from whichever district you click. I plan on sending more, but I figured I'd start with my district.

 

[Jacinda222]

Right on! Nice job getting Senator Maziarz on our side!

 

[Moonflame]

Very positive response. It sounds like he actually read and understood your letter and didn't just send you a form letter response.

 

[Who_Wants_To_Know]

Great news. Good job my friend. I will also be writing in. I may not live in NY, but we all have to work together to keep these laws from being passed everywhere. If it effects one of us it effects all of us.

 

[GitMoe]

Thats awesome. If we could get more actual responses from politicians like this I might gain some faith in the political system. None of the local reps I've written to in PA have responded at all. Not even a form letter...

 

[jmpublius]

Even if they don't respond, you should still write and lobby your politicians for anything you feel strongly about. Contrary to popular belief, it's a hard job with few rewards. Most politicians are good people who really want to make a difference. They hear you, even if they don't respond, sometimes they're just really busy. Local politicians are a little more sensitive to parochial interest for obvious reasons. National politicians will respond better to macro interests.

 

[GMoney]

Disclaimer: I may be biased!

but it seems to me that:

The politicians that take our side respond with genuine, caring and thoughtful letters.

The politicians that oppose us respond with form letters, FDA talking points or other evidence that they have a poor grasp of, or don't care about, the facts or about us.

jmpublius - That letter was great!

 

[rothenbj]

Thats awesome. If we could get more actual responses from politicians like this I might gain some faith in the political system. None of the local reps I've written to in PA have responded at all. Not even a form letter...

Boy that sounds familiar..... ditto on my correspondence which I keep in mind when I vote.

 

[Nicko]

I think writing to elected representatives is often about as frustrating as writing to health groups. But you got a great reply, so that's good news, and we must continue - it's vital that we all do our part. I got some good news today. ASH New Zealand replied to my email and said they are "aware of the the benefits of e-cigs." Despite the fact that their website is devoid of any mention of them, (which I srtongly pointed out). That being said, I doubt that ASH USA would concede any time soon that e-cigs have their benefits. Anti-smoking people like them would prefer to walk down 5th Avenue naked rather than admit they have been wrong. They are are arrogant and self-serving. I think it can change if we work together to expose the truth. And we must. It's the health groups which have as much, if not more influence than legislators in this fight. And let's face it, the health groups work to influence legislators. Health groups are basically employees of the big pharma companies. I think if we humiliate them enough with actual truth, they will eventually concede defeat.

 

[sqirl1]

Very positive response. It sounds like he actually read and understood your letter and didn't just send you a form letter response.

well if he's on our side he obviously read it!