SB3174 - Amendment to the Tobacco Accessories and Smoking Herbs Control Act
Dear Governor Quinn,
I am writing to strongly urge you to veto this amendment if/when it comes to your desk. I have zero (0) opposition to requiring proof-of-age for the sale of nicotine containing products but am seriously disturbed by the rush to ban e-cigarettes/personal vaporizers/electronic nicotine inhalation equipment and supplies.
Allow me to provide a bit of background:
I began smoking when I was 17. I am now fast approaching 41. Over the 20+ years that I smoked combustible cigarettes, I tried multiple times using multiple FDA approved cessation products -- patches, gum, Wellbutrin, cold-turkey -- and _failed_ each and every time. The longest I was able to remain quit was a 2.5 year period that was motivated by my desire to provide a healthier role model for my child. The fact of the matter is, though, that I am one of the many people who utilize nicotine to address anxiety/depression and cognition issues. When I have an appropriate level of nicotine intake, I am more calm, have more patience, and am more able to think and communicate clearly ... without it I struggle.
Nicotine is a toxin, in sufficient concentration a dangerous one, but the same can be said for caffeine and alcohol. There are many, many things in this world that are dangerous to us as human beings. There is inherent danger in my getting in my car and driving to work every morning, but I still do it every day. There are necessary risks in the lives we lead, and it is our responsibility as adults to assess those risks and make necessary day-to-day decisions.
Please don't take my decision to embrace a potentially healthier alternative to combustion cigarettes away from me. I've followed the SE/NJOY vs. FDA case for a while now, and I want to take the time to ask that the 2009 FDA study's details be reviewed closely before blindly falling in line behind them. The FDA, in my honest opinion, is derelict in their stated mission in this particular case. They do not appear to be making decisions based upon concern for my health and that of other's using these devices. Apparently they are more concerned about control, the protection of Big Tobacco and Big Pharmaceutical interests, and the free flow of the sin-tax monies that have been placed upon the backs of smokers for years.
I realize that these devices have yet to be proven 'safe', but is the FDA definition of safe the appropriate one to use in this case? The more appropriate comparison to determine safety for the devices is one made to combustible cigarettes. This device provides an alternative to inhaling tar, carbon monoxide, and thousands of other hazardous chemicals. Yes, more testing needs to be done in both the short and long-term. Short terms tests regarding the composition of the vapor should be performed. Long term tests regarding the health effects should be performed. Is it necessary to force me back to smoking combustibles while these things occur? I say no; there is ample anecdotal evidence regarding the 'safety' of these devices, yet no one making these decisions seems to be exploring it. I understand that anecdotal evidence is no substitute for hard scientific study results. The fact is it doesn't have to be as there are studies out there that support this as a reasonable alternative to smoking combustibles (links can be found at
CASAA.org)
Again, I support age restrictions on the sale of nicotine, and I fully support the application of a reasonable level of tax on the purchase of nicotine containing products. I do not support them being taxed to the level of combustibles specifically due to the supporting reasoning used when those taxes were implemented, which were related to the severely detrimental health effects of smoking combustibles. Tax, yes; sin tax, certainly not.
I realize that this has been quite long, and I thank you for hearing me out. The proposed ban contained in SB3174 seems a knee-jerk reaction that hasn't been fully investigated and should not be passed. I'm very disappointed that my senate representative voted in favor of this bill and that has cost him my vote in the next election; I will be in contact with my house representative as he happens to be on the committee reviewing this bill currently and will be making that point to him as well. I voted for both of them in the last election and will be making my determination regarding my votes for each of you in the next election based heavily on how this matter is handled. Please do the right thing.
Sincerely,
<Real Name here>
Jan
