International Call to Action: Celebrate World Vaping Day by Sharing Your Story with WHO

[JustJulie]

Today, September 18, 2014, is World vaping Day. We can think of no better way of celebrating World vaping Day than by sharing our success stories with the World Health Organization (WHO),

WHO is, to put it mildly, anti e-cigarette and has called for strict regulation of e-cigarettes, including a ban on e-cigarette use in public places. It sees e-cigarettes as challenging the core message of tobacco control and as a threat to WHO's goals of a tobacco-free world. WHO seems willing to embrace speculative and unsubstantiated concerns about e-cigarettes (including the increasingly discredited gateway theory, namely, that e-cigarette use will lead to non-smokers starting to smoke), but fails to give any weight to the fact that an ever-increasing number of people have quit smoking (or have substantially reduced their smoking) by using e-cigarettes.

According to the WHO, we are anecdotes.

And so today, on World vaping Day, we are asking vapers from across the world to join together in sending a personal message to WHO. Tell your story and explain how e-cigarette use has changed your life. Let them know that we are real people, not anecdotes. (While the Call to Action is being released on World Vaping Day, it will continue indefinitely.)

CASAA: International Call to Action! Celebrate World Vaping Day by Telling the World Health Organization How E-Cigarettes Have Changed Your Life.

 

[CES]

here's mine. I just happened to catch the call to action when i was avoiding working at work. Though it's a call to action for us vapers, i asked some friends to write also, to share the success stories of their friends (me ) and family members

Representatives of the World Health Organization,

I began using electronic cigarettes in October 2009. After 30+ years of smoking, I have now been smoke free since December 2009.

My story is one of the many thousands of anecdotes that can comprise real data about real adult people who have successfully used e-cigarettes/vapor products as a long-term replacement for smoking.

I use an open, refillable vapor system, with a long battery life, rather than the style of e-cigarettes that mimic combustible cigarettes. This allows me to choose a variety of flavors (including mango, honey, strawberry, lychee, and tea) and has allowed me to easily reduce the concentrations of nicotine over time. I purchase from small business owners, many of whom I know personally.

If the draconian regulations currently supported by tobacco control were in place at the time that I learned about e-cigarettes, then I would still be smoking combustible cigarettes. Instead, I have not smoked for almost 5 years.

Further, all evidence to date suggests that electronic cigarettes are orders of magnitude safer than combustible cigarettes. The harm associated with smoking is due to the smoke from combustion. There is no firsthand or second hand smoke associated with vaping because there is no combustion. This is supported by research done by Dr. Siegel of Boston University, Dr. Eissenberg of Virginia Commonwealth Dr Maciej L Goniewicz of the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Dr. Laugesen of Health New Zealand and Dr. Igor Burstyn of Drexel University. Even the 2009 study by the FDA failed to find harmful levels of carcinogens or toxic levels of any chemical in the vapor.

Restricting access to a reduced harm alternative while additional safety data is being gathered makes no sense, because the majority if people who use electronic cigarettes will return to using combustible cigarettes, which are known to be deadly.

These products are arguably no more dangerous than a fog machines used concerts and at children’s parties, the scent of the vapor arising from the steaming hot coffee in a local coffee shop, and much less noxious than perfume or aftershave used in an enclosed space. Yet, rightly, none of these are considered to be a threat to public health.

Respectfully,

 

[shgilman]

I'll do so straight away!!

 

[renilyn]

I have sent mine! I would like to share with everyone, but I included quite a bit of personal info that not everyone needs to know

Thank you for providing those of us who want to help, the information to send these emails!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Trevisan]

I sent mine as well. Thank you for this post!

 

[HecticEnergy]

We need to have a site that stores our stories for these kinds of things: FDA, WHO, whatever else.. I'd be more than happy to submit a story for CASAA to hold onto and release when these "testimonials" when these sorts of opportunities to share come up.
I know tasteyourjuice.com posts user "testimonials", but it would be nice if we had a growing number for these sorts of occasions.

 

[FastRope71]

Here is my submission (feel free to borrow from it as much as you feel is relevant):

To the representatives of the W.H.O.,

I thought I would take a moment to write to you and share my experience with E-cigarettes and Vaping, in order to assist you in your development of goals and policy.

I started smoking when I was 13 years old. For over 25 years I consumed between 20 and 40 combustible cigarettes daily. Several times, I attempted to quit smoking with mixed results. The longest I was able to stay off tobacco cigarettes was 8 months. This is not a terribly good track record. I have used a number of different approaches ranging from simple abstinence (worked for less than a week) to nicotine patches (maximum 8 month success). Every “quit smoking program I used was not only a failure, but tested the patience of myself and those around me during the critical transition period when the addiction is causing the most distress.

6 years ago I tried the e-cigarette. The technology at the time was clumsy and prone to liquid containment failure. The quality and variety of flavors was found lacking. This year I decided to try the E-cigarette/Vaping alternative again. I figured the technology has had a chance to mature to an acceptable level. I was right. In less than 2 weeks, my tobacco consumption went from ~25 per day to zero. I have had no desire to smoke at all now in over a month. In addition, my nicotine absorption has plummeted. When I was a tobacco user, I was exposing myself (and those around me) to upwards of 450mg per day. The maximum I could possibly be absorbing now (theoretically) is now under 100mg per day and dropping after only 6 weeks. This is not a product family that should be targeted for restriction.

I have never heard of a person taking nicotine with the intent of “getting high”. It’s just not the kind of stimulant that gives the recreational drug users any desired benefit. With that understanding, coupled with the fact that ‘0mg/ml’ nicotine vaping liquids are available just about everywhere that one can buy the nicotine included formulas, there is little to no threat to the public in regards to young people taking up vaping with nicotine.

There are secondary benefits to vaping as an alternative to smoking. As a result of the increasing number of flavors available to consumers, “junk food” cravings can be satiated without consumption of excess sugars, preservative chemicals, Excess sodium, or empty calorie intake. Most people who quit smoking gain weight during their transition. I have not, for simple reasons. Vaping has allowed me to enjoy the flavor of a cola without spiking my blood sugar. I have also enjoyed the taste of sweet coffees, without adding a caffeine addiction to my nicotine addiction. I can even enjoy the flavor of an alcoholic beverage without any risk of intoxication and the problems that would cause in my day to day interactions with people.

Most people who start using tobacco, do so because they want to be “cool”. That was why I started. I wanted to look tough. If my children took up vaping (with 0 nicotine liquids) to accomplish the same goal, I would find it to be a difficult task to give them concrete reasons why that is a bad idea. I would probably have to limit myself to telling them that “It’s a waste of money”, unless I was willing to lie to them in an effort to control them.

If I were to advise you on a reasonable path. I would recommend that the policy of W.H.O. would be to encourage vaping as an alternative to tobacco, and that regulation should be limited to clear labeling of confirmed hazardous ingredients and nicotine levels in commercial liquids. I would also advise you that you might not want to let perfection be the enemy of good, or of improvement.

Please take the time to look at the research on both sides of the dispute. Critically examine the processes and the conclusions to see if the studies are worthwhile. I think that you will find that there is far greater good to found in vaping, than there is harm.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope your decisions in regards to vaping are well thought out, carefully considered, objective in nature, and non-punitive to those who are reaping the substantial health benefits of making the change from tobacco consumption to vaping liquids.

Have a pleasant day, and may wisdom and prudence win out over emotion and politicking.

Sincerely,


Rob F.
Hutto, TX, USA

 

[Cucco]

Thank you! Done!

I have heard, today, September 18, 2014, is World Vaping Day. Certainly, in my mind, something truly worth celebrating. Some may not grasp why, but, may I share with you my story?

I was a four pack a day, forty-two year, Marlboro Red smoker. As a smoking alternative, I have been vaping. I am still addicted to nicotine. However, I have been slowly lowering the milligrams of nicotine along the way. I started with a 36mg nicotine e-liquid, and am now vaping a 6mg nicotine e-liquid. In a perfect world, I would have just quit. But, that did not happen in 42 years! I tried all of the available smoking cessation products on the market. None of them worked for me. I did not quit, when I was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema. I did not quit, when they identified and continued to monitor more 'nodules' in my lungs than I can count. I did not quit, when I was no longer able to sleep laying down. I did not quit, when I was told I would to be on oxygen within a year. I did not quit, when I witnessed many family members and friends, die from lung cancer and other smoking related diseases. I quit, when I found vaping. The difference in my lungs is incredible! I can sleep laying down. I no longer have to avoid laughter. The improvement in my quality of life is huge. My lung improvements, have been proven by my current lung CT Scans!

I was able to quit smoking, because of the variety of vaping products available on the market. Vaping, like most things in life, is a journey. You try the many options available, until you find your 'happy place'. I have found my 'happy place'. If I had not had these many options (mods, atomizers, battery sizes, wicking materials, e-liquids), there is no doubt, I would have again failed in my quest to quit smoking. And, no doubt, if they take away my 'happy place', I will return to smoking. We can't allow them to do that to me, and the many others who have found this incredible smoking alternative. Our lives, and our quality of life, depend on it.

Hence, in my mind, something truly worth celebrating! Thank you for listening to my story!

My current vaping statistics:
Smober Date: 10/2/2012
Today: 9/18/2014

Smober Time: 1 Years, 11 Months, 16 Days
Cigarettes Not Smoked: 57,280
Money Saved: $16,410.72

 

[uolamer]

This is what I sent..


I smoked cigarettes from about 15 years. I tried to quit with patches, zyban and other things with never any long term success. I replaced smoking cigarettes with E-Cigarettes about 5 years ago. After 3 days it I woke up early and felt great, just like I quit smoking.

Smoking a real cigarette vs using an e-cigarette is a world of difference yet it seems some organizations would like to see them regulated or even banned. While I wouldn't mind some mild regulation of the ingredients of e-liquid, otherwise I do not see why and on what basis they would go much further.

I have read every scientific study on e-cigarettes, which has not been many. You take a sentence out of context from one of two and make them sound bad on a news story but when you actually read the study you find that they always show e-cigarettes are amazingly safer than real cigarettes. Trying to take this option away from people while real cigarettes are still 1/2 a block away at any store, is just plain wrong.

J.D.

 

[Ronald3638]

Done and done

 

[sonicdsl]

We need to have a site that stores our stories for these kinds of things: FDA, WHO, whatever else.. I'd be more than happy to submit a story for CASAA to hold onto and release when these "testimonials" when these sorts of opportunities to share come up.
I know tasteyourjuice.com posts user "testimonials", but it would be nice if we had a growing number for these sorts of occasions.

E-cigarette User Testimonials

 

[Danielle Lindsay]

Sent mine as well

Dear WHO,

I would like to write to you about how the use of the E-Cig has enabled me to quit smoking after 20 years. I started when I was 14 in the 90's because I thought it was "cool". Sad but true! My addiction to cigarettes has lasted 20 years I'll be 35 in October and my quit date is September 1st 2014. I am writing because without the "E-Cig" I do not think I would have ever quit! I would have died and become another one of your statistics. Vaporizing Nicotine to step down has been my only way to finally give up combustable cigarettes. Nothing not the patch, gum, medication, had helped me in quitting combustable cigarettes. "Vaporizing Nicotine and stepping down milligram by milligram. I actually find what the FDA has approved to be very lackluster and mediocre at best in enabling me to get off cigarettes.

I have noticed since I switched to vaporizing I can breath again! I am coughing up all the gunk I was smoking. Meaning my cilia is starting to work! I feel that without the "e-juice" that contains nicotine that quitting smoking actually became something I could do! Please I am a human life that is saved because of this method. Please do not take away or impose undue restrictions on these products. Studies conducted by Drexel School of Public Health, Boston University, Virginia Commonwealth, the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Health of New Zealand all have stated that they have "failed to find harmful levels of carcinogens or toxic levels of any chemical in the vapor."

Please look at this research and see that this is not hurting people. It is helping people quit combustable cigarettes everyday! I'm one of the lucky ones who has access to these products to stop smoking. The smell now that is on old clothes my home etc,. Is far more harmful than any vapor. Its less offensive than cologne and it cause negligible risks to the people around us. There is a way to help people and i hope you will embrace this change! This has given me and so many my life back and I hope you see and realize this does more good than harm. I'm now a proud non-smoker something i thought I could never be. I found help where the FDA failed. So many people have found this way so much easier and practical compared to smoking cessation products promoted in the U.S. I personally ask you to please read this and the many other letters that come. Look at the research and see for yourself. Please conduct your own! I'm sure many people would love to have this opportunity! I ask you as a human to please not duly impose restrictions on products that are helping people everyday.

Thank you for your time!
Sincerely, Danielle L

I hope it helps!

 

[renilyn]

We need to have a site that stores our stories for these kinds of things: FDA, WHO, whatever else.. I'd be more than happy to submit a story for CASAA to hold onto and release when these "testimonials" when these sorts of opportunities to share come up.
I know tasteyourjuice.com posts user "testimonials", but it would be nice if we had a growing number for these sorts of occasions.

I too would be happy to submit as well if something comes about!

 

[Ryedan]

Done . ....................

 

[JustJulie]

As Sonic noted, CASAA does indeed have a testimonials collection. We stopped actively soliciting testimonials for a bit, though, until we could figure out a good way of displaying the thousands of testimonials that we've received to date. In fact, Kristin and I have a telephone conference this Sunday with some people who have offered to help us.

Here's where you can submit your testimonial: E-cigarette User Testimonials

Once we get the logistics worked out for displaying the collected testimonials, we'll start a full-court press to collect more. But we're still accepting testimonials, and you should feel free to add yours.

 

[bigdancehawk]

E-cigarette User Testimonials

Can anybody read these? I can't. Too small, and even when copied and pasted into a picture viewer and blown up, they're too blurry to read.

 

[JustJulie]

Can anybody read these? I can't. Too small, and even when copied and pasted into a picture viewer and blown up, they're too blurry to read.

Which is one of the reasons why we're getting some help in redesigning how they're displayed.

 

[xena222]

done - I missed world vaping day on here ...Every day is world vaping day to me - LOL!!

 

[HecticEnergy]

Filled that out for next time [emoji4]

 

[bigdancehawk]

Which is one of the reasons why we're getting some help in redesigning how they're displayed.

I know. I just didn't want you to forget.