Michigan Legislation

[CabinetGuyScott]

Thread in the forum with more info on the "Let It Rip" segment.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...tion-hits-hard-against-war-e-cigs-vaping.html

Thanks Tedlee - saved me from having to dig out the link.

I thought the segment ended up being very positive, especially as Charlie & Taryn weren't buying the politician's weakly delivered points.

I sent Charlie & note thanking him & Taryn for a well-balanced segment.

Encourage the good coverage, counter-act the bad whenever we can.

 

[Ronald3638]

According to NPR today (3/20/2014) Governor Snyder wants electronic cigarettes classified as tobacco products subject to all smoking restrictions and taxes.

 

[VapieDan]

According to NPR today (3/20/2014) Governor Snyder wants electronic cigarettes classified as tobacco products subject to all smoking restrictions and taxes.

You bet he does. So do most of the politicians. Cig sales drop lose money. Make up difference with the cig killers!

 

[Tedlee]

And so it begins in Michigan !

 

[VapieDan]

And so it begins in Michigan !

The scary part is when the States are done the Feds will step in. In that way any State that does not vote for regulation will have it thrust upon them anyway.

 

[CabinetGuyScott]

According to NPR today (3/20/2014) Governor Snyder wants electronic cigarettes classified as tobacco products subject to all smoking restrictions and taxes.

Talk about hugely disappointed!!

I dashed off a somewhat nasty facebook message to him:

• Told him he is not longer a nerd in-good-standing, and he needs to turn in his card
• Now no better than a typical politician
• Expected a businessman and a nerd to deal in FACTs, truth and never fall for junk science
• He & his director of community health obviously have no interest in facts, but are more concerned with tax revenues
• Attached at copy of the newest tool in our arsenal: Achieving appropriate regulations for electronic cigarettes
• Linked to the Burstyn vapor analysis, as peer reviewed & published at: BMC Public Health | Abstract | Peering through the mist: systematic review of what the chemistry of contaminants in electronic cigarettes tells us about health risks
• More or less dared him to address the truth after educating himself and the director with some facts and science

And yes, so it begins here in Michigan...

We need to get involved NOW, as the governor has tipped his hand.

Luckily the legislature is not in such a hurry (simple sales to minors bans so far?), and we have an opportunity to do an out-reach campaign to the representatives.

Should we start a new thread over in the Michigan community forum to get some conversation / idea sharing started?

Maybe some of the veteran activist-types will join in and jump-start our efforts with some sage advice...

 

[VapieDan]

I thought the Democrats were "Tax and Spend"?

 

[Tedlee]

The scary part is when the States are done the Feds will step in. In that way any State that does not vote for regulation will have it thrust upon them anyway.

States are definitely busy enacting some legislation due to the FDA dragging their feet on the issue. Personally, I think the FDA is trying to get all their little misinformed ducks in a row so they don't lose the battle in the courts again. Which, of course, it seems they're having a hard time doing. I don't think they'll have a leg to stand on in court anyway.

But even if the feds pass legislation, it doesn't mean that the states will adopt it 100%. Case in point would be the 2 states that have made a certain "organic material" legal that is still illegal federally.

 

[Tedlee]

I thought the Democrats were "Tax and Spend"?

Tax and give away!!

 

[VapieDan]

States are definitely busy enacting some legislation due to the FDA dragging their feet on the issue. Personally, I think the FDA is trying to get all their little misinformed ducks in a row so they don't lose the battle in the courts again. Which, of course, it seems they're having a hard time doing. I don't think they'll have a leg to stand on in court anyway.

But even if the feds pass legislation, it doesn't mean that the states will adopt it 100%. Case in point would be the 2 states that have made a certain "organic material" legal that is still illegal federally.

The Feds could also use all this state legislation as justification for a "Unified Front against the possible evil". After all we must have uniformity in subjugation!

 

[Tedlee]

Talk about hugely disappointed!!


And yes, so it begins here in Michigan...

We need to get involved NOW, as the governor has tipped his hand.

Luckily the legislature is not in such a hurry (simple sales to minors bans so far?), and we have an opportunity to do an out-reach campaign to the representatives.

Should we start a new thread over in the Michigan community forum to get some conversation / idea sharing started?

Maybe some of the veteran activist-types will join in and jump-start our efforts with some sage advice...

At least there is some hope in our government....

ht tp://w ww.wlns.com/story/25028428/gov-snyder-uncomfortable-with-current-e-cigarette-bill

Quoted from above article:

Representative Hugh Crawford: "Politically I'm not going to push the button to raise taxes. And that's another tax. When it's not truly a tobacco product. Some of it is derived from tobacco, but it's not like you use some leaves."

 

[LTomk]

I called my Rep, Mike Rogers, here in Michigan this morning and gave my opinion and how I wanted him to vote on any legislation involving Ecigs. Gave the secretary a quick run down on how it helped me quit and some scientific info on nicotine. Maybe to much info but I feel strongly about this. Please, everybody, get involved. Don't depend on the other guy to do all the leg work. Let's stick together and show them our community strengths.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Michigan House approves bill (HB 4997) by 94-15 vote to ban the sale of “vapor products” and “alternative nicotine products” to minors http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rs...ntversion/House/PDF/2013-HCVBH-4997-10274.PDF
Michigan Legislature - House Bill 4997 (2013)

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(3w...-2014/Journal/House/htm/2014-HJ-05-08-043.htm (House debate on HB 4997 three fourths down journal)


The Reps who spoke out against and voted against HB 4997 and their ANTZ allies were supporting another bill (HB 5393) that would have defined e-cigs as tobacco products.

SB 667 (which was approved by the MI Senate in March by a 80-38 vote) is very similar to HB 4997
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billengrossed/Senate/pdf/2013-SEBS-0667.pdf
Michigan Legislature - Senate Bill 0667 (2013)


Since neither the Senate or House approved bills in MI would define e-cigs as tobacco, it looks like that threat has been thwarted (unless the governor threatens to veto any bill that doesn't define e-cigs as tobacco, which is very unlikely because he would have done before the House vote if he was planning to do so).

 

[VapieDan]

Michigan House approves bill (HB 4997) by 94-15 vote to ban the sale of “vapor products” and “alternative nicotine products” to minors http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(rs...ntversion/House/PDF/2013-HCVBH-4997-10274.PDF
Michigan Legislature - House Bill 4997 (2013)

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(3w...-2014/Journal/House/htm/2014-HJ-05-08-043.htm (House debate on HB 4997 three fourths down journal)


The Reps who spoke out against and voted against HB 4997 and their ANTZ allies were supporting another bill (HB 5393) that would have defined e-cigs as tobacco products.

SB 667 (which was approved by the MI Senate in March by a 80-38 vote) is very similar to HB 4997
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2013-2014/billengrossed/Senate/pdf/2013-SEBS-0667.pdf
Michigan Legislature - Senate Bill 0667 (2013)


Since neither the Senate or House approved bills in MI would define e-cigs as tobacco, it looks like that threat has been thwarted (unless the governor threatens to veto any bill that doesn't define e-cigs as tobacco, which is very unlikely because he would have done before the House vote if he was planning to do so).

Since the FDA is now regulating E-Cig products as tobacco items we are on a slippery slope soon to trickle down to the State and Local levels. I can just see it now "The FDA did not go far enough". Also the grab for state taxes.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Michigan House substitutes/approves, Senate concurs on bills (SB 667 & SB 668) to ban “vapor product” and “alternative nicotine product” sales to minors
Michigan Legislature - Senate Bill 0667 (2013)
Michigan Legislature - Senate Bill 0668 (2013)


Thankfully, the MI legislature rejected/ignored the criticisms by Big Pharma funded CTFK, ACS, AHA, ALA and by the MI Health Dept Director (who were lobbying for an e-cig usage ban, e-cig taxes and other unwarranted e-cig regs in any bill that banned e-cig sales to youth).

 

[VapieDan]

Looks like a minor ban only. I am certain it will be just as effective as the minor provisions for tobacco as in no effect.

 

[Bill Godshall]

VapieDan wrote

I am certain it will be just as effective as the minor provisions for tobacco as in no effect.

In fact, laws banning the sale of cigarettes to minors have helped to sharply reduce youth smoking rates to record lows, and have sharply reduced illegal tobacco sales to minors to record lows.

 

[Lisa Belle]

I asked Metro Parks, when I purchased a summer parking pass, if I was able to vape on State Parks properties. I was glad to hear yes, smoking is still permitted. Compared to many other States we still have the liberty to vape outdoors here in MI. Hope it stays this way, we'll have to watch very cautiously.

 

[Jman8]

In fact, laws banning the sale of cigarettes to minors have helped to sharply reduce youth smoking rates to record lows, and have sharply reduced illegal tobacco sales to minors to record lows.

I'm interested in seeing data to support this assertion. Especially if it is data not coming from the pawns of FDA (i.e. American Lung Association).

 

[VapieDan]

I'm interested in seeing data to support this assertion. Especially if it is data not coming from the pawns of FDA (i.e. American Lung Association).

In my personal polls, which can't be any more inaccurate than the ANTZ polls, I get a very different reaction. When ever I meet a juvenile in either middle or high school I ask "How many kids in your school have tried cigarettes"? The answer is always the same. Almost everyone.