General idea of what we could be campaigning with..

[the88thcrazy]

This is just a rough draft of what i am planning on telling people / writing to people with, but:
(remove and/or change everything in parenthesizes)

Greetings [subject name],

(Part 1 - Product)

Smoker or not, are you aware of a product known most commonly as the electronic cigarette, or e-cig for short? It is a wonderful device that does not use any form of combustion, yet delivers the feel and taste of a real cigarette!

Instead of using a lighter to ignite tobacco, it uses a battery and a special atomizer to vaporize a chemical known as PG (can't remember how to spell the full name of it at the moment), which is generally known to be safe in humans. Without the combustion of tobacco, tar, and other cancer causing carcinogens that are in normal cigarettes. It is clearly a safer, and for some, more satisfying way to smoke!

(Part 2- Problem)

Even though thousands upon thousands of people use - and are satisfied with - e-cigarettes, the FDA is currently trying to ban this product from US markets. I'll admit, the current status of the product is not the best. It can be unreliable, it is currently untaxed, and the product can break down unsuspectingly. other than the product, the liquids that contain PG are unregulated, can can be dangerous if they come in contact with a child.

(part 3 - solution)

But, if the FDA were to regulate e-cigarettes, the limits are endless. People would actually be willing to open up factories, make the product more functional and efficient, and most of all, generate tax money for our financially unstable economy.

I'm not trying to sell anything here, i merely want to inform you about e-cigs, and their current risk of being banned in the US. it is a healthier way to smoke, and more people need to be informed about this product!

Thank you for your time,

[name]







Let me know what you think, I'm planning on sending this to multiple people over this weekend!

 

[skidamarink]

but isn't the fact that there are no studies on how healthy e-cigs are which, from what i've gathered, is why they are in the FDA's spotlight?

 

[RatInDaHat]

there are studies though. At least one anyway.

 

[BARENETTED]

88TH - I like the general content of your letter, I just wish you would leave taxes out of the equation. I can see us paying $200.00 for a dse901. We are already taxed to death. Don't give the lunatics any more crazy ideas!

 

[the88thcrazy]

88TH - I like the general content of your letter, I just wish you would leave taxes out of the equation. I can see us paying $200.00 for a dse901. We are already taxed to death. Don't give the lunatics any more crazy ideas!

Sadly, that's the only way you're going to convince any senator to allow it. 200 dollars seems a bit out of proportion though lol. 30/200 = 667% tax rate.

Besides, FDA regulation would mean that people would start manufacturing in the US, seeing that the demand would go out.

also on a side note, that taxing was only directed at the liquid. there would be no reason to tax the vaporizer.

 

[kathy9225]

I think NOT... and I don't care what law makers are up to...
My e-cig showed up today, and I'm still charging it... I won't be testing it for several hours.

Meanwhile, off I went with my initial research, and promises of an update when I found out how well the thing does or does not work.

Now... where did I GO??? Where I can get the most fun with the least amount of time. Off to discuss my new 'smoking' supply needs with the owner of the local party store.
He was intrigued, and wrote down all the information.

Then, off to the local gun shop... not only do they all smoke there, but they hate taxes more than I do.

THIS is a PROTEST... hit them (government idiots) where it HURTS... and if smoking funny lil electronic cigs will HURT them... we are in.
It needs to HURT BAD too... they want to balance the budget on the backs of smokers? They had better think again.
My biggest selling point is the lack of a tobacco tax... the item in question contains no tobacco.

Nicotine itself does NOT have to come from tobacco. It is naturally found in members of the nightshade family.
It's a natural plant defense against deer, etc.
I haven't quite finalized my plan for obtaining the required ingredients (should a tax go into effect) however, I'm sure I can do so.

You didn't REALLY think that there was a huge run on sales, just because the die hard smokers wanted to all quit at once... did you?
The tax was raised to the point where there are only a few options... obtain ciggs from a diff locality, quit smoking, hi jack a cigg truck, OR... move on to a tax free alternative.
We could ALL easily afford the tax, however... we are all small business owners, and already taxed and regulated to death.
There was a cut off point... and when the government hit that point... they killed their "goose that laid the golden egg."

Now, I can't exactally dump cartons of ciggs in the harbor, I have no interest in being arrested for littering... but I CAN switch to a non taxable product. If it BECOMES taxable... then whomever I recruit will be either be making their OWN nicotine substance, OR back to plan B... which is smokeable food quality herbs.

I went off on my little research jaunt, and became the local "lab rat" for the testing of the product... when a friend looked at me and said, "We might as well switch to marijuhana... it's cheaper."
"Umm... I don't think so... dude... let me find something else."

So... lay off the tax idea, target people that might be useful. HOW is the insurance company figuring smoking expense? They are in the business for the MONEY, not your health... see if you can get them to back you.

How about your house insurance? Even if you continue to pay the "smoker" rate... it would be difficult to start a house fire with an e-cigg... this would lower their costs.

How about those "mom and pop" party stores? The first go round of tax increases that ONLY raised the cigg tax itself... had them laying in huge supplies of "roll your own," now THAT went UP. Target them... it's good for their business.

Bars, resturaunts... weight loss clinics. I saw candy flavored substances, and the nicotine is optional... have them suggest tubby take a quick drag on a "chocolate" flavored smoke... instead of a chocolate bar.

Target a few vets... (my next step) the vets are preaching the nastiness of second smoke for 'fluffy,' would mommy switch for 'fluffy's' health???

Book resellers, seamstresses, anyone that has items that will retain the smell of smoke... are a good target ALSO. I can't currently smoke anywhere NEAR my business rooms... the smoke smell will leave with the product.

Salesmen... good target... also people that interact with the public. I've seen people wrinkle up their noses... and the sale/contact is LOST, because the non smoker didn't LIKE the odor.

REMEMBER, the more people you convince to switch, the HARDER it's going to be to take the thing away.

As for the FDA... that department is run by idiots. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house, just look at all the product recalls.
Look at the unsafe things that have slid through... ASPARTAME comes to mind, while safe things like stevia are banned.
Inhaled and nasal steroids... released without proper warnings... NOT to be given to diabetics. (Destabalizes blood sugar, and causes a raft of projected side affects.)
The same for provera/depro provera... once again... not for the aspirin allergic, it can cause severe shock.
We won't even go into the multiple side affects of psychotropic drugs... which have been deemed dangerous, and are STILL being handed out like candy.
All FDA approval MEANS... is "someone gave us a boat load of money, we didn't READ the studies, but we THINK it might be safe... fer sure, try it... let us know what happens."

Oh, and whomever is selling this e-cigg product... put a WARNING on it.
ONLY use one nicotine delivery system at a time... NO, more is NOT better.
Some idiot is going to get a nicotine patch, order a e-cigg, continue to smoke regular ciggs, and obtain a nasal nicotine inhaler... and either have some sort of damage, and sue... or die, and the family will sue.

My chemist put up GIANT signs... telling you how to tally the dose of tylonel you were getting... cause it's been shoved into everything. A dangerous dose is very easy to obtain, on ACCIDENT.
The makers of tylonel have very deep pockets, I doubt the same is to be said of the e-cigg sellers.

Cheers,
Katt

 

[Chevron07]

Preach on Katt. The best well thought out crazy rant I have seen in a long time. Are you a talk show host?

 

[Boston George]

It is a wonderful device that ...

I really don't like that phrase. If feels fake, cheap or deceiving. I would suggest saying its a 'new device' or a 'modern device' or a new gadget.



after some sleep I will respond to katt's post....

Everyone hates taxes and I am frankly not sure how the gov would tax e-cigs without taxing nic gum, gel and patches. Although that doesnt mean they wont try

 

[Steampunk]

I wasn't sure where else to put this. It's a breakdown (by state) of how much tax revenue goes to government from 1 pack or tobacco cigarettes. Click on your state:

http://www.tobaccoissues.com/alertcenter.aspx

In my area, the avg cost per pack is $5.68 which is a little low I think. 56.8% of that, or $3.23 goes to the government. At 10 cigs a day (conservative) that = 178 packs annually for me. My government will no longer see roughly $574.94 annually from me if I continue to vape. Big tobacco will suffer as well.

2007 Ohio revenue from cigarettes alone is over $1.45 billion. Someone in my government cannot possibly want me to quit using tobacco.

 

[Letzin Hale]

So... lay off the tax idea, target people that might be useful. HOW is the insurance company figuring smoking expense? They are in the business for the MONEY, not your health... see if you can get them to back you.


As for the FDA... that department is run by idiots. Talk about the fox guarding the hen house, just look at all the product recalls.
Look at the unsafe things that have slid through... ASPARTAME comes to mind, while safe things like stevia are banned.
Inhaled and nasal steroids... released without proper warnings... NOT to be given to diabetics. (Destabalizes blood sugar, and causes a raft of projected side affects.)
The same for provera/depro provera... once again... not for the aspirin allergic, it can cause severe shock.
We won't even go into the multiple side affects of psychotropic drugs... which have been deemed dangerous, and are STILL being handed out like candy.
All FDA approval MEANS... is "someone gave us a boat load of money, we didn't READ the studies, but we THINK it might be safe... fer sure, try it... let us know what happens."

Cheers,
Katt

Katt, yours is a much more positive approach than the88thcrazy. No disrespect but parts 1 and 2 don't do us any favours, especially telling folk that ecigs are unreliable and dangerous. The 2 biggest points are ecigs are cheaper & safer and that the Government is trying to deny honest citizens the right to choose a safer alternative. My 1st draft is below but I will be editing it some more before sending it out.
Alan.

US Government threatens to kill millions of citizens.

I was horrified to read in the press that the US Government intend to pass a Bill that will allow the sale of tobacco based products but that will ban the sale of electronic cigarettes.
Having experienced at first hand the benefits of electronic cigarettes and having received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from people who no longer need to use tobacco because they can use their ecigs which are much safer, I find it totally unacceptable that this could happen and will be campaigning for a delay in this decision until more evidence has been presented. It would not only be a travesty but would attract claims of conspiracy with the big tobacco companies and could provoke thousands of lawsuits for depriving citizens of a safer alternative.
Smokers who can't or won't give up will be forced to use tobacco cigarettes that will kill around 30% of them.
Only five percent of smokers give up for more than 12 months which would mean a lot of deaths that otherwise might be avoided by helping people to free themselves from tobacco.
If the alternatives to cigarettes are banned, one of the bill's biggest supporters, Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris and America's biggest and most powerful tobacco company) would continue to sell a product that is a proven killer with relative impunity. If that happens they might just as well issue all of our children with loaded guns and tell them to go play!

Quotes:

Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health,
"The so-called 'Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,' concocted by one anti-tobacco group in cahoots with Altria, will actually lead to more deaths from smoking,"

David Sweanor, who has previously advised the WHO on tobacco control,
"If there is anyone who believes cigarettes are no more hazardous than e-cigarettes I'd recommend a remedial course in basic sciences."

Dr Joel Nitzkin, Chair of the Tobacco Control Task Force for the American Association of Public Health Physicians
"As best we can tell, on the basis of currently available research data, these products [including but not limited to electronic cigarettes] promise a risk of illness and death well under 1% of the risk posed by cigarettes."

If you find the Government's proposed action unacceptable and would like to offer the chance of a safer alternative to millions of smokers, please take a minute to add your name to this petition.
Keep life saving electronic cigarettes available!

 

[Steampunk]

If the alternatives to cigarettes are banned, one of the bill's biggest supporters, Aviva (formerly known as Philip Morris and America's biggest and most powerful tobacco company) would continue to sell a product that is a proven killer with relative impunity.

Hey Alan - That's a nice letter. But I think you mean Altria as opposed to Aviva.

 

[Letzin Hale]

Hey Alan - That's a nice letter. But I think you mean Altria as opposed to Aviva.

You're right. The source I found it in had it spelled wrongly.
Alan.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Everyone needs to sit back and ask themselves this one simple question: Does the FDA have the right to regulate nicotine?

Here is a great place to start: U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page

Search nicotine. See what happens. Take the link they provide you for the "best bet". It's enlightening!

Your passion is fabulous. But what is happening, is that Senator Lautenberg wants the FDA to ban something the FDA simply does not have control over.

The vote on the Waxman Bill buys us some time because that's not going to happen for a few months. What we need to focus on is getting the general public, smokers and non, educated to what the ecig really IS and what it can offer.

We need to force the anti-e-cig folks out into the open and expose their true intentions for hating smoking and hating smokers. If this is truly about health, this will be an easy win. If it isn't about health, they will create their own demise by their flip-flopping ways.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Katt, yours is a much more positive approach than the88thcrazy. No disrespect but parts 1 and 2 don't do us any favours, especially telling folk that ecigs are unreliable and dangerous. The 2 biggest points are ecigs are cheaper & safer and that the Government is trying to deny honest citizens the right to choose a safer alternative. My 1st draft is below but I will be editing it some more before sending it out.
Alan.

US Government threatens to kill millions of citizens.

I was horrified to read in the press that the US Government intend to pass a Bill that will allow the sale of tobacco based products but that will ban the sale of electronic cigarettes.
Having experienced at first hand the benefits of electronic cigarettes and having received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from people who no longer need to use tobacco because they can use their ecigs which are much safer, I find it totally unacceptable that this could happen and will be campaigning for a delay in this decision until more evidence has been presented. It would not only be a travesty but would attract claims of conspiracy with the big tobacco companies and could provoke thousands of lawsuits for depriving citizens of a safer alternative.
Smokers who can't or won't give up will be forced to use tobacco cigarettes that will kill around 30% of them.
Only five percent of smokers give up for more than 12 months which would mean a lot of deaths that otherwise might be avoided by helping people to free themselves from tobacco.
If the alternatives to cigarettes are banned, one of the bill's biggest supporters, Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris and America's biggest and most powerful tobacco company) would continue to sell a product that is a proven killer with relative impunity. If that happens they might just as well issue all of our children with loaded guns and tell them to go play!

Quotes:

Dr. Elizabeth M. Whelan, president of the American Council on Science and Health,
"The so-called 'Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act,' concocted by one anti-tobacco group in cahoots with Altria, will actually lead to more deaths from smoking,"

David Sweanor, who has previously advised the WHO on tobacco control,
"If there is anyone who believes cigarettes are no more hazardous than e-cigarettes I'd recommend a remedial course in basic sciences."

Dr Joel Nitzkin, Chair of the Tobacco Control Task Force for the American Association of Public Health Physicians
"As best we can tell, on the basis of currently available research data, these products [including but not limited to electronic cigarettes] promise a risk of illness and death well under 1% of the risk posed by cigarettes."

If you find the Government's proposed action unacceptable and would like to offer the chance of a safer alternative to millions of smokers, please take a minute to add your name to this petition.
Keep life saving electronic cigarettes available!

This is wonderful by the way.

 

[kaattakilla]

I sent the following message to thetruth.com and i also sent a link w/ the health results i found here:

Why are you guys not endorsing electronic cigarettes? Ive smoked so long, and quiting is NOT just a simple decision to make. Its far too difficult for that. Why not endorse a product with a seamless transition that removes ALL the heath side affects that you guys are using to flame on cigarettes? Im just an average working american young man. I purchased my personal vaporizer and quit using tobacco the same day. I feel better and healthier and no longer smell like an ash tray. And there is no second hand smoke! No infants having to learn to crawl to avoid me... Look, i understand and admire what your about, but some peple cant just up and quit, and while they dont, they are killing themselves and making those around them suffer. Please endorse the electronic cigarettes and give people an option that they can transition to safely and easily! Dont just take my word on it, research it, look it up. Your goals are to make tobacco go away, mine too. But i dont have to give up a lifestyle that ive come to love/hate. Ive simply gotten rid of all the parts i hate. Here is a site where you can get involved and get info: [e-cigarette-forum] and i sincerely hope to see you there.


if i typo-d or included something i shouldnt have, *shrug* im not a lawyer, plz dont make a big deal out of it, i just included how i feel and what i believe along w/ the sources of info i've found.

 

[Letzin Hale]

I sent the following message to thetruth.com and i also sent a link w/ the health results i found here:

Why are you guys not endorsing electronic cigarettes? Ive smoked so long, and quiting is NOT just a simple decision to make. Its far too difficult for that. Why not endorse a product with a seamless transition that removes ALL the heath side affects that you guys are using to flame on cigarettes? Im just an average working american young man. I purchased my personal vaporizer and quit using tobacco the same day. I feel better and healthier and no longer smell like an ash tray. And there is no second hand smoke! No infants having to learn to crawl to avoid me... Look, i understand and admire what your about, but some peple cant just up and quit, and while they dont, they are killing themselves and making those around them suffer. Please endorse the electronic cigarettes and give people an option that they can transition to safely and easily! Dont just take my word on it, research it, look it up. Your goals are to make tobacco go away, mine too. But i dont have to give up a lifestyle that ive come to love/hate. Ive simply gotten rid of all the parts i hate. Here is a site where you can get involved and get info: [e-cigarette-forum] and i sincerely hope to see you there.


if i typo-d or included something i shouldnt have, *shrug* im not a lawyer, plz dont make a big deal out of it, i just included how i feel and what i believe along w/ the sources of info i've found.

I just added them to my list and sent a copy of my message.
Why don't we all start doing the same?
Better still, PM me with any email addresses or sites that you think we can petition so that I can compile a sticky list and we can then conduct a coordinated mass mailing campaign.
Alan.

 

[the88thcrazy]

Katt, yours is a much more positive approach than the88thcrazy. No disrespect but parts 1 and 2 don't do us any favours, especially telling folk that ecigs are unreliable and dangerous.

Read a little further. e-cigs ARE unreliable and potentially dangerous (factory chemicals, possible poor sanitation, ect) without FDA regulation.

 

[Vapor Pete]

88th...
Im not going to tear you down at all, as Lacey (I think) said, your enthusiasm is great.
My only comment to you would be this: take out where you say its a "healthier way to smoke"... you are opening yourself to having to provide the proof of that claim, which none of us have. We can all claim to FEEL healthier, we can claim COMMON SENSE dictates to us that it might be a better way to enjoy the simple effects of nicotine. And yes, leave taxing out of it. And maybe dont refer to it as smoking... as this is a huge buzz word! Christ...I said I wasnt gonna tear you down, sorry my friend if I have. My intentions were good
My best,
-VP

 

[OptionStud]

Sorry 88, newbie here, but that proposal of yours does not sound helpful at all. The alternative posting is much better. I emailed Rush Limbaugh and filled him in and asked him to address this issue. (Elrushbo@eibnet.com if you want to pipe in with him.) Whatever your politics, what we need is some publicity. Not enough vapes around to constitute a voting block that can get anything done but Rush speaks to 25 million people a day. Let Rush rant on about the left running amok again in DC and trying to KILL people. That is how I see this attack on ecigs: a misguided attempt to KILL smokers in the name of regulating tobacco. Misguided. Moronic. Hypocritcal. It seems to me the common sense arguments against outlawing ecigs are so compelling that they just need to get out there, one way or another. I emailed Waxman as I am in his district but his seat is as lock solid as they get. He might listen to reason though although regulation of tobacco has been one of his goals for years. To me, of course, they can regulate the heck out of tobacco and cigs all they want. Just lay off the ecigs. Is a completely upside down thought process! Those who are purporting to look out for the interests of smokers and society respecting smoking should be SUPPORTING the ecig.

 

[Vapor Pete]

Sorry 88, newbie here, but that proposal of yours does not sound helpful at all. The alternative posting is much better. I emailed Rush Limbaugh and filled him in and asked him to address this issue. (Elrushbo@eibnet.com if you want to pipe in with him.) Whatever your politics, what we need is some publicity. Not enough vapes around to constitute a voting block that can get anything done but Rush speaks to 25 million people a day. Let Rush rant on about the left running amok again in DC and trying to KILL people. That is how I see this attack on ecigs: a misguided attempt to KILL smokers in the name of regulating tobacco. Misguided. Moronic. Hypocritcal. It seems to me the common sense arguments against outlawing ecigs are so compelling that they just need to get out there, one way or another. I emailed Waxman as I am in his district but his seat is as lock solid as they get. He might listen to reason though although regulation of tobacco has been one of his goals for years. To me, of course, they can regulate the heck out of tobacco and cigs all they want. Just lay off the ecigs. Is a completely upside down thought process! Those who are purporting to look out for the interests of smokers and society respecting smoking should be SUPPORTING the ecig.

Curious as to what your email said? I have actually thought of contacting Rush. Im not an avid fan of his, and have just started tuning him in. But I didnt think he would give a sh*t.... but then your point about how it serves to show the backward moronic thinking of the gov. I was like...ooooh yeahhh! So just wondering what you said to him, and I'll jump on the "email Rush" wagon. I think he has the voice we may need to turn some heads on this issue.
My best,
-VP