I have been selected for an FDA e-cig study

Status
Not open for further replies.

drksideken

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 21, 2014
130
188
Syracuse, IN, USA
Everyone,

Today I received word that I've been accepted into an hour long focus group here in Richmond, VA. I intend to give them what they're asking for, lol. Does anyone have words of warning to share?


If they come out wearing leather uniforms with nazi insignia and sound like colonal klank...run. Make sure if they ask you to vape anything, it's your own stuff.
 

patkin

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Nov 6, 2012
3,774
4,141
Arizona USA
Congrats and good on you! I don't have any other than to watch the way they phrase stuff. Ya know that old "Have you stopped beating your wife?" type of loaded question. ANTZ have lots of time to develop the way they phrase things but you'll only have seconds and have to think on your feet so to speak so get a good nights sleep in spite of the anxiety you might be feeling the night before. Not much help I know... never been there... and wishing you success.
 

Kent C

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jun 12, 2009
26,547
60,051
NW Ohio US
I'd ask what the purpose of the study is and who's funding it. Take notes if you can, if not, spend some time right afterwards to write stuff down.

There's probably a lot of things to watch for, but if there is anything you don't fully understand - ask.

Don't let them use 'vapor' as 'smoke'. IOW, "How long have you been smoking ecigarettes?" You might say, something like I don't smoke, it's why I vape, to get away from the smoke, or something....

For 'flavors' - if this is true... that you use flavors to get away from tobacco taste, etc. It helped with the transition, etc. (Again, only if that were true about you).

And again, if true... that you're a 'responsible vaper' - keep stuff away from kids and pets, childproof caps or whatever, don't blow vape in people's faces. Basically like any 'responsible person' acts with what some consider dangerous - like guns, cars, etc.

You might be asked 'what changes since smoking' so you might look at that - include improved taste, lighter upper respiratory, no morning cough, not as 'anxious' by not being allowed to smoke vs. vape, etc. etc. again - whatever might be the case - but you might list them out to yourself before you're asked.

If you get a chance, tell of the number of people who are glad you switched - family, friends, co-workers, etc. This enforces a 'multiplier' effect so it isn't just the 2% (or whatever) of the vapers in the country. That while it has helped you, any regulation, is going to affect more people than just those who vape. Include kids :)

And, again, if true, that you'd likely to go back to cigarettes if there were a ban or the regulations and taxes were so severe.

:2c:
 

Sundodger

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Sep 22, 2013
351
964
All 57 States
Check your state law. Some states such as Wisconsin (where I am) allow you to record ANY conversation you are a party to. If they have such a study here I would record every word. If it's allowed in VA then record it just in case they play funny with the questions. You can get lapel type microphones that will fit inside a pen cap by drilling off the end of the cap. Flat caps are best. They use button batteries and the wire can be easily run down to a pant pocket to the recorder. Those little mics work great and don't cost much at all. Any big box electronics or Radio Stuff store should have them.
 

swampergene

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Mar 9, 2014
161
394
Slatington, PA, USA
Check your state law. Some states such as Wisconsin (where I am) allow you to record ANY conversation you are a party to. If they have such a study here I would record every word. If it's allowed in VA then record it just in case they play funny with the questions. You can get lapel type microphones that will fit inside a pen cap by drilling off the end of the cap. Flat caps are best. They use button batteries and the wire can be easily run down to a pant pocket to the recorder. Those little mics work great and don't cost much at all. Any big box electronics or Radio Stuff store should have them.

Recording the entire thing is the first thing that came to my mind also, if it is in fact a verbal session and not on paper. A smartphone could work in either if you have one. If verbal, there are plenty of good recording apps to use for just such purpose. If on paper, there are free scanning apps that do a surprisingly incredible job...you could scan anything you fill out for your own records.
 

edyle

ECF Guru
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Oct 23, 2013
14,199
7,195
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Everyone,

Today I received word that I've been accepted into an hour long focus group here in Richmond, VA. I intend to give them what they're asking for, lol. Does anyone have words of warning to share?

Don't let them get away with equating vaping with smoking.
Your lungs say otherwise.
 

aikanae1

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Feb 2, 2013
8,423
26,259
az
Everyone,

Today I received word that I've been accepted into an hour long focus group here in Richmond, VA. I intend to give them what they're asking for, lol. Does anyone have words of warning to share?

Actually, I was wondering if there was a way to get others in on the same study?
Sort of "stack the deck" a little. It might be the only way we get heard.
 

aikanae1

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Feb 2, 2013
8,423
26,259
az
The FDA might be thinking along the same lines....

Yeah, that's what gave me the idea.

Somebody was serious enough to bus teens around Calif to testify "ecigs are killing our friends" and there was a post the other day about CDC looking or "dual users" with medically verified "smoking related illness'" for a tip line promotion. That's desperate. Things are getting serious in the PR war.

That also means it wasn't as easy as they were expecting also.
:vapor:
 
Last edited:

claudebo

Senior Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
May 14, 2012
93
140
Maine
My advise is:

Relate your personal and family experiences with vaping, including changes if any you noticed
related to personal heath.
Have you been given support from heath professionals regarding your vaping versus smoking
This would be valuable information, since many do not publicly say vaping is good, but encourage their
patients to vape rather then smoke.

Stay away from global statements and statistics like : Vaping is 99 % better then smoking, while it
may be true it is a hard to prove in a brief interview. Again keep it to what you know best: yourself.

As advised as others before take your time when speaking. There is nothing wrong with taking a sip of water
and collecting your thoughts, you do not have to talk as fast as an auctioneer ( but talking faster then
Al Gore would be nice)

I would not worry about them being adversarial or aggressive, after all you are their guest.

You'll do fine, and enjoy the ride
 

rothenbj

Vaping Master
Supporting Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Jul 23, 2009
8,285
7,707
Green Lane, Pa
Everyone,

Today I received word that I've been accepted into an hour long focus group here in Richmond, VA. I intend to give them what they're asking for, lol. Does anyone have words of warning to share?

I thought you disappeared without a trace. Missed your animal avatars. :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread