HEADS UP - NEWS - UPDATES! (When we know, you'll know!)

[kristin]

May 20, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) House passes tobacco/Vapor 21 bill, now moving to Senate. Such laws misinform public about relative risks and deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives, without any evidence it reduces youth vaping or smoking.

House passes bill to ban sale of e-cigarettes to youths under 21

JEFFERSON COUNTY, WASHINGTON: BOH claims indoor &OUTDOOR #vaping ban will somehow reduce youth use. Director falsely claims "enough science to suggest aerosol is problematic." WE have evidence use bans lead to worse laws/taxes. PUBLIC HEARING next month!

http://bit.ly/2Empxyj

HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) Although sales already restricted to over-21 stores, city completely bans the flavored #vaping and smoke-free products that help adults quit smoking. #1 cigarette used by minors (Marlboro) still available everywhere.

Calling nicotine addiction an ‘epidemic,’ Hermosa Beach bans sale of flavored tobacco – Daily Breeze

VERMONT: (UPDATE) Sad day for tobacco harm reduction in state. Governor signs bills denying adults 18-20 access to safer alternatives to smoking and makes it harder for rural adults to get products by banning online sales. A 92% tax is also on his desk.

Scott Signs Bill Hiking Legal Smoking Age to 21

ASPEN, COLORADO: (UPDATE) City amends flavored tobacco ban to APPLY ONLY TO #VAPING PRODUCTS. Essentially targeting only adult access to flavored, less harmful products, because already illegal to sell under 21. Regular cigarettes still sold everywhere.

Aspen’s electeds reconsider full flavored nicotine ban

POLL: 75% think raising age of purchase to 21 will curb "tobacco" use among young people. NOTE: Hawaii passed T21 (incl. vapor products) in 2016, now has 3rd highest youth vaping rate in country. Poll is still open!

Should purchase age for tobacco products be boosted to 21?

APPLETON, WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) Good news is city exempts existing vape shops from indoor ban. Bad news is only for 21+, making it easier for adults 18-20 to get combustible cigarettes than much safer vaping products & essentially blocking any new shops.

Appleton vape shop owners will face age restrictions in city's workplace vaping ban
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 21, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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MASSACHUSETTS: (CALL TO ACTION!) Debate in the senate over the state’s budget is underway and an amendment that would BAN flavored smoke-free products like vapor products and snus is on the table. Take Action - Send a Message!

MA - Stop a flavor ban being proposed in the state's budget!

TEXAS: (UPDATE) All that's left to deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to much safer products is governor's signature. And when that doesn't work, the ANTZ will inevitably move on to sin taxes, flavors bans, online bans, public bans & finally, total bans.

Texas could soon raise legal age for buying tobacco, e-cigs to 21, if Gov. Greg Abbott signs bill | Texas Politics | Dallas News

IN THE NEWS: “Obviously the better a product tastes as it relates to flavor and experience, hopefully the easier it is for people to stick to their quit journey,” says Nicorette spokesman about their tasty new lozenge. (Note: It's NOT "tobacco" flavor.)

Nicorette introduces new nicotine lozenges in bid to woo customers away from vaping

SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) Despite strong opposition, city bans flavored vapor/smoke-free products, but in an unusual twist, delays enacting for 18 months to see what state and feds will do. Of course, more popular cigarettes still sold everywhere.

San Rafael latest Bay Area city to ban the sale of flavored tobacco

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: (HEADS UP!) City mulls banning vaping where smoking banned. Seems reasonable until they start including outdoors, sidewalks, cars, private homes and vape shops. Remember: public bans are ALWAYS just a foot in the door to more laws/taxes.

Atlanta weighs crack down on e-cigarettes as part of smoking ban
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 22, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA: (CALL TO ACTION!) Banning vaping w/smoking seems reasonable until they start including outdoors, sidewalks, cars, private homes and vape shops. Remember: public bans are ALWAYS just a foot in the door to more laws/taxes. TAKE ACTION NOW!

Atlanta - Stop an Indoor Vaping Ban

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City prohibiting all tobacco/vapor products sales...unless you're a rich tourist staying in a swanky hotel or a wealthy member of an exclusive cigar club. Of course, ANTZ fight any type of exemption elsewhere...

Beverly Hills votes to ban tobacco sales, but exempts Schwarzenegger’s favorite cigar club

SCOTCH PLAINS, NEW JERSEY: (HEADS UP!) Petition started by middle school children is demanding the city ban flavored vapor products for adults over the age of 21 (as it's already illegal to sell vapor products to anyone under the age of 21.)

Ban on Flavored Vapes Proposed by Scotch Plains Teens

BENTON COUNTY, OREGON: (HEADS UP!) County of over 85k people moving to deny the 10.6% of adults who smoke and vape access to the flavored, low risk vaping and smoke-free products that help prevent relapse & are already illegal to sell to persons under 21.

Benton may ban flavored tobacco

HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS: (HEADS UP!) More evidence that indoor bans and Tobacco 21 as "compromise" won't prevent worse laws. After adding vaping to new OUTDOOR smoking ban, city now considers banning flavored vapor/smoke-free products for ADULTS OVER 21.

Harwich Health Board Nixes Beach Smoking, Considers Flavored Tobacco Ban

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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 23, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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LOUISIANA: (UPDATE) State House voted 24-55 AGAINST the proposed Tobacco/Vapor 21 bill featured in a recent Call to Action by CASAA. T21 laws have NOT been proven to effectively prevent youth use long term nor prevent bad regulation or sin taxes later.

Bid to raise Louisiana's smoking age to 21 rejected by state House

CALIFORNIA: (CALL TO ACTION!) Today, May 23, 2019, the California Senate is expected to vote on SB 38, which would BAN the sale of vapor and smoke-free tobacco products in FLAVORS other than tobacco. TAKE ACTION NOW!

CA - Stop an all-out flavor ban!

ILLINOIS: (CALL TO ACTION!) Following a little parliamentary abracadabra, what was once a consumer protection and fraud prevention bill is now a FLAVOR BAN proposal that is close to crossing the finish line. TAKE ACTION NOW TO STOP THIS BAN!

IL - Stop a Flavor Ban!

RESEARCH: (UK) Study of 19,000 people who made quit attempts over 12 yrs finds vaping (95%) more successful than Chantix (82%) & far more than FDA-recommended gums/patches w/doctor's help (34%). NRT over the counter was no more effective than cold turkey.

E-cigs can double success rates of quitting smoking, UK study finds - Reuters

ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA: (HEADS UP!) City of 57k residents, with 4 tobacco stores and multiple stores selling cigarettes, small cigars and cheap e-cigarettes, wants to irrationally ban dedicated vape shops as "a threat to public health, safety and welfare.”

Alpharetta advances measure banning vape shops
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 24, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA: (CALL TO ACTION!) City wants to essentially ban stand-alone vape shops, while leaving cigarettes, cigars & cheap e-cigs for sale at numerous tobacco shops, gas stations, grocery and c-stores. Meeting 5/28 @ 6:30 PM. TAKE ACTION NOW!

GA - Alpharetta - Stop a Ban on Vape Shops!

CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) SB 38, a bill that would have BANNED FLAVORS in vapor and smoke-free products, was PULLED BY THE AUTHOR after hookah advocates and cigar lobby gained exclusions in an amendment by Senate panel. Stay on alert for this to resurface!

Proposed California ban on flavored tobacco products shelved by lawmakers

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI: (UPDATE) Shop owner and vaping advocate convinces aldermen to EXEMPT VAPE SHOPS from indoor use ban passed last month. Unfortunately, other businesses that want to cater to vapers aren't exempt, leaving vapers out on the street.

Vape shops granted exemption by city - Daily Leader
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 28, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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RESEARCH: Catch 22! Vaping companies must prove to FDA they're not a health risk through science, but independent scientists are fearful to work with them. This leaves tobacco-funded science as a recourse, but public health says they're not to be trusted.

Scientists Wanted: Recruited by Juul, Many Researchers Say No

COMMENTARY: Mike Males, senior researcher for the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, drops a fact bomb on the effectiveness of the Tobacco 21 law in California.

Commentary: We now have results for key laws advocates promised would 'protect' teenagers. They don’t.

LILYDALE, MINNESOTA: City votes to treat vaping the same as smoking, misleading public to believe they have same health risks and setting stage for more laws and taxes, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer alternatives.

Lilydale joins growing list of cities to increase tobacco purchase age | Lillie Suburban Newspapers - LillieNews.com

ARIZONA: (UPDATE) SB 1147, an industry-supported bill raising purchase age for vaping & tobacco products as compromise to more stringent laws, did not pass. HB 2357, treating vapor products same as tobacco without increasing the age, is still in play.

Bill that would raise age to smoke, vape dies in Legislature

NEVADA: (HEADS UP!) SB 263, a bill taxing all vaping products at the same rate (30%) as tobacco, add an age limit and prohibit public use, is making a late-session comeback. “Vapor products are harmful, period.” ~ Nevada Tobacco Prevention Coalition.

Lawmakers propose taxing e-cigarettes high enough to deter vaping
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 29, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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WISCONSIN: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!) Governor's budget still includes a 71% SIN TAX including a small-business-killing FLOOR TAX! CASAA has made it easy to add your personal story to a pre-written letter to lawmakers. CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

WI - Stop an outrageous tax on vaping!

NEVADA: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!) SB 263, a 30% wholesale tax on vapor products, is being given new life + a possible public use ban! CASAA has made it easy to add your personal story to a pre-written letter to lawmakers. CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION NOW!

NV - Stop a tax on vaping!

OHIO: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!) HB 166, budget legislation for FY 2020-2021, which would treat smoke-free products like smoking and deny adults 18-20 access to much safer products, is moving out of the House and on to the Senate. CLICK & TAKE ACTION NOW!
OH - Stop Tobacco AND Vaping 21!

BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS: (UPDATE) City bans flavored, low risk, smoke-free tobacco & vapor products, while leaving high risk cigarettes allowed to be sold everywhere. (Note: The #1 "flavor" with youth before vaping was "Marlboro," likely to be so again.)

Brookline bans flavored tobacco, amid pleas from local businesses

ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) SB 1864 would treat smoke-free vaping like smoking in indoor and outdoor public places, somehow justifies limiting adult use to reduce youth vaping. NOTE: public use bans are a classic ANTZ first step to more regulation and taxes!
Bill would ban e-cigs in public indoor places

LAYFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City bans flavored, low risk, smoke-free tobacco & vapor products, while leaving high risk cigarettes allowed to be sold everywhere. (Note: The #1 "flavor" with youth before vaping was "Marlboro," likely to be so again.)

Lafayette bans sale of flavored tobacco products | Lafayette
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 30, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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ILLINOIS: (CALL TO ACTION!) As we reported earlier, SB 1864 would treat smoke-free vaping like smoking in indoor and outdoor public places, somehow justifies limiting adult use to reduce youth vaping. A classic ANTZ first step to more regulation and taxes!

Bill would ban e-cigs in public indoor places

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: (HEADS UP!) Following city of Santa Cruz, county officials could adopt an BAN on low risk vapor and smoke-free FLAVORS on JUNE 11th. Surveys have shown adults who once smoked rely on non-tobacco flavors to avoid relapse.

Santa Cruz County to ban flavored tobacco, e-cigarettes – Santa Cruz Sentinel

IN THE NEWS: Still agree with including vaping in smoking bans? Eventually this becomes no vaping in OUTDOOR parks, on beaches, sidewalks, café patios & at bus stops; then they ban in/outside multi-unit housing and cars. It's ALWAYS a first step to more.

California bill to outlaw smoking at beaches, parks advances

HARM REDUCTION ADVOCACY: “Smokeless tobacco (ST) is sort of the original harm reduction product for smoking...health risks for ST use are minimal & ST was conspicuously absent from ACS's June list of 17 risk factors for cancer."
- CASAA CEO Alex Clark

http://bit.ly/2Z4CcOD

For the TRUTH about smoke-free tobacco, see:

http://www.casaa.org/smokeless-faqs/

IN THE NEWS: (MASSACHUSETTS) State Attorney General Maura Healey has filed a lawsuit against a national vapor product company, alleging failure to verify ID online, and using social media, memes and cartoons to market to youth.

Healey: E-Cig Company Used "Memes and Cartoons" to Sell Vapes to Kids
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

May 31, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!) SB 45 seeks to unnecessarily redefine vaping as smoking, misleading public to think they're equal risk, and deny businesses right to allow vaping in their own establishment. Businesses already have legal right to prohibit vaping.

http://bit.ly/2WxY8Un

MASSACHUSETTS: (HEADS UP!) Unsurprisingly, after passing both a public use ban & Tobacco/Vapor 21, lawmakers push a flavor ban & sin taxes. It's not about public health or youth. "Compromise" is just letting vaping get banned one small step at a time.

Health activists press ban on flavored tobacco, vaping products

HOPKINTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) City considering Tobacco/Vapor 21 law, in spite of fact it is not evidenced-based & has failed to lower youth vaping in places like Hawaii. Just makes it harder for adults 18-20 who smoke to get safer products!

Hopkinton superintendent pushes effort to raise tobacco use age to 21

CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) HB 7200, yet another ineffective, "feel good, bipartisan" Tobacco/Vapor 21 law that will deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer products. And, as we've seen over and over, just another step towards banning vaping completely.

Democrats, Republicans to come together in push to raise tobacco buying age

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Dr. Farsalinos @FarsalinosK researcher at Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, Athens, analyzes study making headlines claiming flavors in vapor products are toxic heart cells. (As one point, IF they are, so is any cinnamon-flavored food.)

Do the properties of cinnamon change when it is present in e-cigarette liquids? The pro-inflammatory/oxidative and anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant properties of cinnamaldehyde
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 3, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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NEW BRIGHTON, MN: (HEADS UP!) City considers treating low risk smoke-free products the same as cigarettes, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to harm reduction, misleading public as to risks AND banning or restricting flavors that help prevent relapse!

New Brighton considers raising tobacco age

ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) ALA vice president supports 15% vape & 64% smoke-free tax to "maintain parity so smokers would not turn to other goods containing nicotine," regardless of the fact that those "other goods" SIGNIFICANTLY reduce smokers' health risks.

Dollar-a-pack tax increase on cigarettes advances to Senate | Northwest Herald

LOUISIANA: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) Sneaky lawmakers adding Tobacco/Vapor 21 to another bill (HB 45) at last minute TODAY, after it was defeated as HB 38. Use CASAA's advocacy form to TAKE ACTION NOW!

Louisiana - Stop Tobacco AND Vaping 21!

CONNECTICUT: (CALL TO ACTION!) Fight back against vapor taxes - expected to be voted on in the House as early as today! 40c/mL on e-liquid in "cartridges" and a 10% wholesale tax on open system products (includes devices and other hardware). TAKE ACTION!

CT - Fight back against Vapor Taxes!

NEVADA: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) SB 263, which would impose a 30% wholesale tax on vapor products, has passed the legislature and is being sent to Governor Sisolak for his signature. Take action NOW and urge Governor Sisolak to VETO SB 263!

NV - Stop a tax on vaping!

IN THE NEWS: (GASTON COUNTY, NC) Another indoor ban extended OUTDOORS, including no vaping or smoke-free snus INSIDE YOUR CAR in parking lot. Claim low risk products "as dangerous as traditional cigarettes" and even snus "infringes" non-smokers' rights.

Our view: County tobacco ban a great decision

MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) Governor signed into law budget that incl. treating vapor products the same as smoking indoors, deceiving public to believe they have same risks. If history repeats, expect OUTDOOR, multi-unit housing, car and flavor bans to follow.

E-cigarettes added to clean indoor air law, banning them from indoor spaces

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Queen Giovanna University Hospital, Bulgaria researchers report caffeine & nicotine withdrawal symptoms overlooked by doctors in ICU patients; patches/gums don't appear to help; surprisingly, author calls caffeine "highly addictive."

Worsening symptoms in patients may just be a sign of caffeine or nicotine withdrawal, doctors warn – Brinkwire

IN THE NEWS: (UK) Royal College of Midwives policy statement advises that pregnant women who choose to remain smoke-free by vaping should be supported to do so, should be recorded as non-smokers & vaping not shown to have adverse effect on breastfeeding.

http://bit.ly/2KwJOW7
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 5, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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COMMENTARY: "How can lumping small and large risks together possibly help people make healthy choices? Exaggerating the risks...might seem harmless, but it’s harmful if it gives people the impression that it’s so dangerous they might as well smoke."

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

SAN FRANCISCO, CA: (CALL TO ACTION!) Board of Supervisors considering ordinance banning the sale of vapor products in city. Means no vapor products allowed sold in shops or online. Meanwhile, combustible tobacco products will continue to be sold legally!

San Francisco - Stop Vaping Prohibition!

CONNECTICUT: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) Budget bill HB 7424 is now being debated in the Senate. 40c/mL on e-liquid in "cartridges" and a 10% wholesale tax on open system products (includes devices and other hardware). TAKE ACTION TODAY!

CT - Fight back against Vapor Taxes!

MICHIGAN: (HEADS UP!) After finally getting around to prohibiting sales to minors under 18, governor calls very low risk vapor products "harmful," is considering adding taxes, raising legal age to 21, curtailing internet sales.

Gov. Whitmer signs e-cigarettes ban for minors

BEVERLY HILLS, CA: (UPDATE) City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to ban, beginning in 2021, almost all sales of tobacco products, including smoke-free and vapor products. Wealthy patrons of cigar lounges and rich tourists in swanky hotels exempted.

Beverly Hills votes unanimously to ban most tobacco sales
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 10, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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SOUTH PORTLAND, MAINE: (UPDATE) Advocates successfully create doubt in lawmakers' minds over ordinance, which would have banned flavored vapor and smoke-free products, pushing it back to another workshop. Harm reduction advocacy in action!

South Portland City Council: Tobacco limits need more work

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI: (HEADS UP!) Hearing June 17th for ordinance denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to low risk, smoke-free alternatives, misleading public to believe they have the same health risks and more likely to support more laws and taxes.

The age to purchase tobacco products could be raised in Springfield

CARMEL, INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) City wants to treat vaping the same as smoking, misleading public to believe they have the same health risks and denying businesses who wish to cater to vapers.

Carmel Looks at Language in E-Cigarette Ban

TEXAS: (UPDATE) Governor has signed Tobacco/Vapor 21 law, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives and misleading public to believe vaping has the same health risks as smoking. More restrictions and higher taxes likely to follow...

Texas joins 14 states in raising minimum tobacco sales age to 21

SOUTH ELGIN, ILLINOIS: (HEADS UP!) Without any evidence of risk to bystanders even indoors, city moving to ban the use of vapor products OUTDOORS, misleading public to believe vaping has the same risk as smoking.

South Elgin considering smoking ban in its public parks
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 12, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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IN THE NEWS: FDA finalizes guidance for pre-market "tobacco product" applications for vapor products "as part of commitment to continuing a strong oversight of e-cigarettes."

FDA finalizes guidance for premarket tobacco product applications for electronic nicotine delivery systems as part of commitment to continuing a strong oversight of e-cigarettes

ASPEN, COLORADO: (UPDATE) City bans very low risk flavored vapor and smoke-free products, leaves most popular and highest risk product - regular cigarettes - freely sold everywhere. County looking to follow suit, adding tax and T21, as well.

Aspen bans flavored nicotine products, joins handful of communities

MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) City passes Tobacco/Vapor 21 law, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives and misleading public to believe vaping has the same health risks as smoking. Governor says he supports the same...

Manchester to ban tobacco, vaping sales for those under 21

WILKIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) County passes Tobacco/Vapor 21 law, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives and misleading public to believe vaping has the same health risks as smoking.

Wilkin County passes T21

RESEARCH: The Potential Consequences of the Smoke-Free (and now often vape-free) Public Housing Rule. HUD regulation overly penalizes “historically disadvantaged or otherwise vulnerable groups,” exposing them to increased risk of crime & homelessness.

http://bit.ly/31sgqpR

BENTON COUNTY, MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) County considering Tobacco/Vapor 21 law, denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives and misleading public to believe vaping has the same health risks as smoking.

Benton County proposes law to raise tobacco purchasing age to 21
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 13, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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OHIO: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) HB 166, a bill that would deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to much safer products, has moved from the House to the Senate, with the Senate version adding a 17% wholesale tax on vapor products. TAKE ACTION NOW!

OH - Stop Extra Taxes on Vaping!

CARBONDALE, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Proving once again that Tobacco/Vapor 21 and public use bans are just a first step to support more onerous laws and taxation, ANTZ now pushing city lawmakers for a flavor ban, license requirements and/or taxes.

More vaping restrictions could be coming to town – The Sopris Sun

NEW BRIGHTON, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) City passes ordinance to deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer alternatives, but we've been told by local advocates that they opted not to ban or restrict flavors to adults-only stores...for now.

New Brighton raises tobacco sales age to 21

HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA: (HEADS UP!) County where, reportedly, 1 in 7 deaths are "linked" to smoking is considering denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to LOW RISK alternatives AND banning flavored products that help prevent adult smoking relapse.

Hennepin County Seeks To Raise Tobacco Age To 21

THE MORE YOU KNOW: How media misleads the public. Report that 11% youth use vapor products. DON'T report that just 3.9% said they contained nicotine, that just 1.9% of the youth used vapor products daily or that just 3.7% used them more than 1-2X a week.

Here's how many Lancaster County students reported vaping in the last month
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If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 14, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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IN THE NEWS: FDA proposes deadline of 10 months from final court ruling for vape companies to submit premarket applications. "Small vapor manufacturers would not be able to satisfy the requirements and will need to remove their products from the market."

FDA Proposes New Deadline for E-Cigarette Applications

WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) City treats low risk vaping like smoking, prohibiting businesses from allowing vaping in their establishments & misleading public on risks. And a redundant minor ban because already illegal to sell nicotine to minors in WI.

Despite objections, e-cig rules advance

RESEARCH: Youth use and awareness survey shows pod device use "less prevalent amongst young people in the U.S. than many media commentators have been suggesting."

Researchers found that "approximately 45.5% of 15 to 17 year olds in the U.S. and 29.1% of 13 to 14 year olds had heard or seen the device."

(We hope one question asked was "Did you first hear about/see it in an ad for the product or in a public service commercial with puppets?")

New research on the prevalence of JUUL use and awareness amongst US youth age 13 to 17

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) House Revenue Committee moved on previously stalled HB 2270 yesterday, subjecting vapor products to a 65% wholesale tax and also removing preemption on local taxes. If it passes in the legislature, it will go to November 2020 ballot.

Once Stalled, A Cigarette Tax Hike Is Moving In Oregon Capitol

WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) Budget Committee has amended Gov. Evers' 71% list price tax on vapor products to 5¢/mL. While this is a large reduction, CASAA maintains that low risk vapor products that help adults quit smoking should NOT be subject to ANY sin tax!

Wisconsin budget committee approves more than $450 million in income tax cuts

PENNSYLVANIA: (HEADS UP!) Senator wants to extend smoking ban to outdoors and anywhere else the current ban exempts AND add low risk vaping to the ban. Be careful when agreeing that vaping should be banned where smoking is - soon that will be everywhere!

Sen. Dan Laughlin seeks tougher smoking ban for Pennsylvania
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 19, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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IN THE NEWS: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets, @RepDebbieWassermanSchultz) referring to manufacturers of extremely LOW RISK products helping millions of people QUIT SMOKING: "We need to get these .......S and make sure they don’t kill another generation of Americans."

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz co-sponsors bill to combat teenage vaping

CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Governor has signed Tobacco/Vapor 21 bill, denying adults 18-20 access to far safer alternatives to smoking. T21 laws don't work, but mislead general public on risks and increase support for flavor bans, use bans & higher sin taxes.

Gov. Lamont signs bill that raises tobacco sale age to 21

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) HB 2270, a bill that would tax vapor products at 65% wholesale, has now passed out of the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures by a vote of 8 to 3. It will need to pass by a three-fifths majority, since it’s a revenue-raising measure.

http://bit.ly/2XZdmPZ
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 24, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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WISCONSIN: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) While reducing tax from 71% retail, State budget still adds UNJUSTIFIED 5¢/mL SIN TAX (plus sales tax) to vapor products and increases tax - higher than any other tobacco tax at 100% - on LOWEST RISK moist snuff/snus.

WI - Stop an outrageous tax on vaping!

RESEARCH: Six year study of 4,000 adults, ages 25-35, will track how environment, lifestyle (including vaping) and physical activity habits affect respiratory health. (Of course, that's only if vapor products are still available after 2021.)

News - Cohort will study how vaping, environment and lifestyle impact long-term lung health in millennials

OPINION: "San Francisco protects cigarettes to own the vapers."

"Using the specter of nicotine-addled children to deny adult smokers a lifesaving alternative isn't just demagogic, it's disastrous public health policy." -- @gbentley1

San Francisco protects cigarettes to own the vapers

COLUMBUS, INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) City considering prohibiting businesses from allowing vaping in their own establishments. ANTZ misrepresent risks and use convoluted reasoning that vaping in bars, casinos and vape shops will somehow curb youth use.

City asked to include e-cigarettes in smoking ordinance

IN THE NEWS: Nebraska ACLU concerned over legality of nicotine testing of students in schools.

“Several studies have demonstrated that in districts that have tested [for drugs] for a decade or more, there was no demonstrable change in substance abuse."

Nebraska ACLU tells Fairbury schools it's not a fan of schools testing for nicotine

ADVOCACY: (Philadelphia) Harm reduction and treatment advocates protest rehab smoking/vaping ban, calling it an unnecessary and cruel "barrier to treatment in the middle of an overdose crisis."

Story: Six months in, Philly assesses its smoking ban in inpatient rehabs

Photo Credit: Greg Conley (https://www.facebook.com/grconley, @GregTHR)

NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers sneak previously stalled Tobacco/Vapor 21 law into state budget at 11th hour. No evidence T21 lowers youth use, but clearly denies adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives. BUDGET VOTE IS ON THURSDAY!

Smoking age increase added to New Hampshire budget

IN THE NEWS: (Massachusetts) A multi-defendant lawsuit has been filed against several local BOH over flavor bans "developed and advocated by a private organization" that "created anti-competitive marketplaces that grant monopolies to specialty stores."

Cumberland Farms to Fight Local Tobacco Regulations in Court

LIVERMORE CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City bans ALL vapor products, denying adult smokers local access to low risk alternatives, while leaving cigarettes to be freely sold.

Without irony, Councilmember Trish Munro says, “One of the best ways to change behavior is to avoid having the product present." Hmmm....

Livermore Bans Flavored Tobacco Sales, Enacts School Buffer Zone For Retailers

IN THE NEWS: (Kentucky) Detention center exempts vapor products from existing tobacco ban to bring in revenue & (hopefully) reduce tobacco contraband. Devices "contain about as much nicotine as two packs of traditional cigarettes," priced at $12 per unit.

BSRDC inmates to see sale of e-cigarettes

YOUNGSTOWN & GIRARD, OHIO: (HEADS UP!) Cities considering ordinances denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far lower risk alternatives, although T21 laws have failed to show they work to prevent youth use in other municipalities.

Will local officials approve Tobacco 21 legislation?

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA: (HEADS UP!) Public hearing JULY 2 for ordinance that would deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products, mislead public to believe risks are the same and more likely to support laws such as flavor/online bans & sin taxes.

Flagstaff council votes to ban sale of tobacco to people under 21
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

June 28, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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IN THE NEWS: Former FDA director Dr. Scott Gottlieb (@ScottGottliebMD) has joined the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the maker of Chantix. When Chantix was linked to significant health risks, FDA said "The benefits of quitting smoking outweigh those risks." Meanwhile, vapor products must prove 100% safety - even for non-users?

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) Bill to deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives has passed out of committee. These laws are not proven effective, mislead public on the risks of vaping and inevitably lead to more restrictive bans and taxes!

IN Sen. Young hopes to increase legal smoking age soon

RESEARCH: Sanford Health researcher taking an in-depth look at alleged vaping "gateway" effect, finds evidence of little to no effect and concerned that regulations may backfire and drive people back to smoking.

Sanford researcher says vaping not a gateway to smoking

FEDERAL: Sen. Romney's bill, which would deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products, has passed in committee. These laws are not proven effective, mislead public on the risks of vaping and inevitably lead to more restrictive bans and taxes!

Romney’s smoking and vaping bill passes committee

LONGMONT, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Including vaping in smoking bans may seem "reasonable" to some folks...until they inevitably start extending those smoking bans to OUTDOOR spaces and, in some cases, private residences in multi-unit buildings.

Longmont City Council Gives Initial Approval To Expanded Smoking Ban

IN THE NEWS: Vermont starts population-level experiment w/ public health, near-doubling cost of vapor products, banning online sales and denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products. Will be easier to get cigarettes in the state than vapes.

New e-cigarette rules expected to slam Vt. vape shops

THE MORE YOU KNOW: A new article going around tells readers the ACS, in its 2018 position statement, "not only endorse but promote vapor products as a safe and healthy way to quit smoking." Unfortunately, this is NOT the case. In the year since releasing the statement the ACS has been part of suing the FDA to pull vapor products off market until proven safe, and lobbied for flavor bans, high taxes, indoor/outdoor use bans, online bans and T21. Far from a ringing endorsement of vaping.

Please see CASAA's 2018 full response here: ACS to Clinicians: Vaping is an acceptable last resort… - CASAA
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

July 1, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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OREGON: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers sending question of adding a 65% wholesale sin tax to vapor products to ballot next year. This would raise cost of a $20 bottle of e-liquid to $33, MAKING VAPING COST MORE THAN SMOKING, even with the higher cigarette tax.

Oregon Senate finishes whirlwind votes after Republicans stall session

IN THE NEWS: National Black Justice Coalition @NBJContheMove opposes SF vapor products ban: "Beyond restricting the rights of responsible adults making informed decisions, an unintended consequence includes increasing the use and purchase of cigarettes."

http://bit.ly/2KRgL05

MAINE: (UPDATE) In wee hours of June 30, lawmakers pass bill defining vapor products as tobacco, subject to new 43% sin tax. In many cases, this WILL MAKE VAPE PRODUCTS COST MORE PER DAY THAN SMOKING in the state. Low risk snus will have same 43% tax.

E-cigarette tax, help for poor residents on governor's desk

CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA: (HEADS UP!) City took first steps to ban flavored tobacco & vapor products on Thursday, in first of 2 required readings. Surveys show non-tobacco flavors help adults who smoke move away from the taste of cigarettes, prevent relapse.

Capitola joins movement in banning flavored tobacco sales – Santa Cruz Sentinel

IN THE NEWS: (NEW YORK) American Cancer Society joins other groups in urging lawmakers to ban flavored vaping and low risk tobacco products in New York City and Albany County.

New York story: NAACP, Anti-Smoking Groups Press City Council Speaker on Bills Banning Flavored Cigarettes
Albany County story: 19 groups urge Albany County to pass flavored tobacco, e-cig ban
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA

 

[kristin]

July 3, 2019
(via CASAA Twitter @CASAAMedia)
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NEW JERSEY: (UPDATE) So-called "kid-friendly" pods remain at 10¢/mL, but the American Cancer Society is still "disappointed" with the Governor's reduction from 10¢/mL on bottled e-liquid (which is mainly used by adults who smoked) to 10% of wholesale. Tax on a $20/60 ml bottle will drop from $6 to $2.

"This tax rollback, makes it easier for New Jerseyans to get their hands-on e-cigarettes."

Yes, ACS. That's the whole point.

ACS CAN Disappointed that Governor Murphy Enacted Rollback of E-Cigarette Tax - Insider NJ

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Vape advocates often support laws banning vaping where smoking is prohibited, because they're typically only thinking about restaurants, movie theaters, schools etc. But bans are increasingly being applied to PRIVATE RESIDENCES, such as this latest smoking and VAPING BAN IN ALL APARTMENTS & they're turning neighbors into spies for enforcement.

The slippery slope is real.They won't stop at "reasonable" bans in restaurants. They actually want smoking (and now vaping) banned EVERYWHERE, indoors and outdoors. If you give them an inch, they take a mile.

Millbrae snuffs out apartment smoking

RESEARCH: Scientists find low nicotine cigarettes + patches works better than decreasing regular cigarettes + patches. Ironically, nicotine VAPOR PRODUCTS do the same thing WITHOUT EXPOSING PEOPLE TO THE SMOKE found even in the low nicotine cigarettes.

Effectiveness of switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes plus nicotine patch vs reducing daily cigarette consumption plus nicotine patch to decrease dependence: An exploratory randomized trial

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Oklahoma Department of Health Tobacco Manager says: "Fewer people are smoking, they might not have quit but that means they are smoking less. Which is going to help the health, is going to help Oklahoma. We are going to have better health outcomes because we are consuming less"

Interestingly, the same point made by Tobacco Harm Reduction advocates regarding "dual use" (people who vape but haven't completely quit smoking, but reducing number of cigarettes smoked) is completely dismissed as not relevant!

Oklahoma Cigarette Sales Declining 1 Year After Tax Hike
___________________________________________________________________________
If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through the state! Link: CASAA.org - The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Join CASAA here: Join CASAA - CASAA
Find your state info here: Find My State Info - CASAA