Important to Read!

[DisMan]

Wow. This is surprising. This is good news.

If there is one congressman who is an e-smoker, he will speak to the other congressman and so forth. He will also be able to guide the questioning of e-cigs when the trials go forward.

So, the people of Florida need to do what they can to keep this person in office.

Tropical Bob: This means you.

Seriously, I nominate TB to represent. He lives in Florida and may be able to do a physical communication. Physical communication goes much further than the Internet as far as effectiveness.

 

[QueenInNC]

Thank you, yvilla!

 

[RobertY]

I am new to ecigs also. But I hate to rain on everyones parade but the article if true has misinformation in it. I believe that misinformation will hurt us vapers in the long run.

QUOTE
"a device used to help wean smokers off those addictive coffin nails"
and
“I believe that this is healthier for smokers and offers a practical way to help smokers quit,” Stearns said in a statement provided to HOH. “This could be the wave of the future in smoking cessation.”
and
“I am going to send a package to President Barack Obama to help him quit or meet with him and enjoy a harmless, carcinogen-free
smoke.”
UNQUOTE

Now is that not what part of the problem with people and the FDA is? Is that the ecigs are being offered up as a smoking cessation product which it is not? Also the word harmless is being used in that article. OUCH!! I would say better than coffin nails but not totally harmless.

I am glad that someone as high up as a congressman is getting involved, BUT, it needs to be done truthfully with all the T's crossed and I's dotted, should it not?

 

[QueenInNC]

I am new to ecigs also. But I hate to rain on everyones parade but the article if true has misinformation in it. I believe that misinformation will hurt us vapers in the long run.

QUOTE
"a device used to help wean smokers off those addictive coffin nails"
and
“I believe that this is healthier for smokers and offers a practical way to help smokers quit,” Stearns said in a statement provided to HOH. “This could be the wave of the future in smoking cessation.”
and
“I am going to send a package to President Barack Obama to help him quit or meet with him and enjoy a harmless, carcinogen-free
smoke.”
UNQUOTE

Now is that not what part of the problem with people and the FDA is? Is that the ecigs are being offered up as a smoking cessation product which it is not? Also the word harmless is being used in that article. OUCH!! I would say better than coffin nails but not totally harmless.

I am glad that someone as high up as a congressman is getting involved, BUT, it needs to be done truthfully with all the T's crossed and I's dotted, should it not?

It can be used for smoking cessation. I don't smoke anymore! The e cig DID help me quit.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

yvilla - i have to throw my thanks in here too... what a great find and thank you for taking the charge and sending a PM. This is fantastic news. If the hill is truly made up of those who represent us, then for sure there are smokers up there vaping away!

Love it! It's going to be a good Saturday night!

 

[Caesarea]

The E-cig did all the quitting without me - I didn't know I'd find analogs so foul.

 

[Vape]

I really dont see a problem reffering to it as a "smoking cessation" device. It is a nicotine delivery device, just like a patch, inhaler, or gum. They all contain nicotine, they all have their side effects. If I were to use just high level nicotine patches all the time instead of gradually lowering the dose, who's gonna stop me? I just turned them into a nictoine delivery system and not a smoking cessation device. Sure my skin turns red and itches all the time, better than smoking right? Or is it......long term nicotine absorbtion through the skin....who knows? I can still buy them over the counter and once I have them I can do whatever I want with them, why should my beloved 901 be any different?

 

[MonkeyMonk]

Thank you, yvilla, for both finding the post and responding to the post.

I do not see a problem with what the congressman said because that is a personal opinion of a layman and not a supplier. I think the problem arises when the suppliers indicate anything other than an alternate to cigarettes, anything related to NRT.

I do think clarifying to the congressam the problems faced by ecigs/PVs if showcased as possible NRTs would assist him when dealing with fellow congressmen and the FDA.

 

[Kate]

My understanding is that they cannot be marketed for financial gain with health or medical claims. I don't know that there's a problem for individuals although it might give the impression that vaping has been tested and proven safe and effective.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

I think the main point here is that the Hill is aware of the ecig and not afraid to use them. Once we start hearing more from our actual voices up there, then we can set the record straight if need be, and the Association will do just that.

Either way, if we want to get an ecig into Obama's hands, an elected official and not a supplier/user sending one via post, is the way to do it.

 

[dc2k08]

Originally Posted by uberjaeger
The article on Congressman Stearns is below and here's the link nglis.house.gov/sections/news/pdf_news_coverage/Roll_Call_02_17_09.pdf


Heard on the Hill: Token Smokin’
February 17, 2009
PRINTER-FRIENDLY FORMAT
SPONSORED BY

Great News. Can anyone post the correct link to that PDF?

 

[Lithium1330]

http://inglis.house.gov/sections/news/pdf_news_coverage/Roll_Call_02_17_09.pdf

 

[dc2k08]

thanks lith!

 

[TropicalBob]

That's about the best possible news e-smoking could have. He's a rep from Ocala in middle Florida. Horse country. Let's see what comes of this, but it's nice to have people in high places thinking e-smoking is great.

 

[yvilla]

And remember that Uberjaeger, our member here who posted the article about Stearns and wanted the PM, is a congressman from California. So we have two states' reps on board at least.

 

[yvilla]

I do think clarifying to the congressam the problems faced by ecigs/PVs if showcased as possible NRTs would assist him when dealing with fellow congressmen and the FDA.

I did discuss that aspect of it in my PM to Uberjaeger, MonkeyMonk.

 

[Wildsky]

Fantastic... someone just turned on the light at the end of the tunnel! WOOOHOOO

Thanks to all!

 

[KoS]

What's that... could it be... I think it is... yes a ray of hope

 

[ninjapuff]

My understanding is that they cannot be marketed for financial gain with health or medical claims. I don't know that there's a problem for individuals although it might give the impression that vaping has been tested and proven safe and effective.

Correct. The second a company makes a health or medical claim for a product, it falls under FDA jurisdiction and the FDA can shut them down, steal all of their products, and basically put them out of business. For example, if a company is selling limes, and they claim that their limes cure scurvy, they now have to deal with the FDA.

 

[OutWest]

^ exactly. The company say say "limes are a natural source of vitamin C, and vitamin C may help to prevent scurvy" (followed by a "the FDA has not evaluated this statement" disclaimer), but they cant say "limes prevent scurvy".

Similarly, as a consumer the congressman can say "it helped me to quit smoking", but the vendor cant say that it helps for quitting smoking.


A HUGE thanks to the OP for spotting this and bringing it to our attention. If the person isnt a faker, and is the real congressman, this is fantastic news!!!