Missouri HB 2103 has been referred to the Small Business Committee, and we are asking vapers to show their support of this legislation by completing the attached Witness Appearance form (link to document is at bottom of post) and by close of business TUESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2012:
1. Fax the completed form to Representative Kathie Conway at 573-522-0414 with the title HB 2103 on the fax, OR
2. Email the completed form to Representative Kathie Conway at Kathie.conway@house.mo.gov with the title HB 2103 on the email.
Here is a summary of the proposed legislation:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/biltxt/intro/HB2103I.htm
COMMENTS SHOULD BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. We have heard time and time again that emails/faxes/letters that are identical are largely dismissed by legislators as spam.
Some reasons why people might be in favor of this legislation--
1. It allows private property owners to make decisions about whether to allow e-cigarette use on their premises.
2. It provides more certainty for businesses by enacting a state-wide exemption.
3. It ensures that e-cigarettes, which do not create smoke, will not be treated as cigarettes for purposes of smoking bans.
Some potential talking points:
1. Tell your story on how switching to an e-cigarette or smokeless tobacco has changed your life.
2. Explain how electronic cigarette use is easy to distinguish from actual smoking. Although some e-cigarettes resemble real cigarettes, many do not. It is easy to tell when someone lights a cigarette, from the smell of smoke. E-cigarette vapor is practically odorless, and generally any detectable odor is not unpleasant and smells nothing like smoke.
3. Let them know that vapor does not behave in the same manner as smoke. There is no "side stream" vapor like the side stream smoke coming from the lit end of a cigarette. There is also no ash or litter.
4. Inform them that the ability to use electronic cigarettes in public spaces will actually improve public health by inspiring other smokers to switch. Surveys of thousands of users indicate that the majority of those who switch, completely replace tobacco cigarettes with the electronic cigarettes, reducing their health risks by 98-99%.
5. Tell them that by switching to a smokeless product, you have greatly reduced your health risks.
6. Direct them to the CASAA.org website for more information.
While forms completed by Missouri residents will obviously have the greatest impact, vapers from other states should feel free to share their views regarding this legislation with the Missouri House of Representatives' Small Business Committee.
Google docs link for Witness Appearance form: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B26hMMO97qS6VlZzek9FcXZOV3M/edit
1. Fax the completed form to Representative Kathie Conway at 573-522-0414 with the title HB 2103 on the fax, OR
2. Email the completed form to Representative Kathie Conway at Kathie.conway@house.mo.gov with the title HB 2103 on the email.
Here is a summary of the proposed legislation:
The text of the bill can be found at:
http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/biltxt/intro/HB2103I.htm
COMMENTS SHOULD BE IN YOUR OWN WORDS. We have heard time and time again that emails/faxes/letters that are identical are largely dismissed by legislators as spam.
Some reasons why people might be in favor of this legislation--
1. It allows private property owners to make decisions about whether to allow e-cigarette use on their premises.
2. It provides more certainty for businesses by enacting a state-wide exemption.
3. It ensures that e-cigarettes, which do not create smoke, will not be treated as cigarettes for purposes of smoking bans.
Some potential talking points:
1. Tell your story on how switching to an e-cigarette or smokeless tobacco has changed your life.
2. Explain how electronic cigarette use is easy to distinguish from actual smoking. Although some e-cigarettes resemble real cigarettes, many do not. It is easy to tell when someone lights a cigarette, from the smell of smoke. E-cigarette vapor is practically odorless, and generally any detectable odor is not unpleasant and smells nothing like smoke.
3. Let them know that vapor does not behave in the same manner as smoke. There is no "side stream" vapor like the side stream smoke coming from the lit end of a cigarette. There is also no ash or litter.
4. Inform them that the ability to use electronic cigarettes in public spaces will actually improve public health by inspiring other smokers to switch. Surveys of thousands of users indicate that the majority of those who switch, completely replace tobacco cigarettes with the electronic cigarettes, reducing their health risks by 98-99%.
5. Tell them that by switching to a smokeless product, you have greatly reduced your health risks.
6. Direct them to the CASAA.org website for more information.
While forms completed by Missouri residents will obviously have the greatest impact, vapers from other states should feel free to share their views regarding this legislation with the Missouri House of Representatives' Small Business Committee.
Google docs link for Witness Appearance form: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B26hMMO97qS6VlZzek9FcXZOV3M/edit
