My letter to thetruth.com

[redjazzy1]

In the fight for my life and against my smoking addiction I've found electronic cigarettes. I'm taking in less of everything these days-less toxins, less carcinogens, and yes, less nicotine! I have absolute control over the amount I take in and I know, at least approximately, how much nicotine I use. I've lost weight, my face is clearing up, I sleep better and less, and although I do lead a pretty active life already, I feel I get more out of my daily physical activity. All because I gave up smoking cigarettes... after 20 years. Why am I telling you all of this? Because in the journey I've learned some interesting facts about big tobacco and know that they and the money behind all of it is what is allowing the FDA to put electronic cigarettes out like a burnt up Marlboro. THERE ARE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES!! THERE ARE PROVEN CASES OF LIVES BEING SAVED BY ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE USE OVER SMOKING! WE NEED YOUR HELP!! Please, I and thousands of others who have chosen to improve our lives by quitting smoking ask that you and your constituents contact the Electronic Cigarette Association at Electronic Cigarette Association. Please look at the findings on electronic cigarettes, scientific, credible findings at http://www.healthnz.co.nz/2ndSafetyReport_9Apr08.pdf . Another source of findings and news-related stories The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary. One other place you should visit is e-cigarette-forum.com this is a community and a source of information on the how to's of use and access to suppliers and more importantly, stories of the thousands of us Americans who are making their lives better and healthier by vaping (as it's known by those of us who use electronic cigarettes) as opposed to smoking. Please, help us...
Thank you,
Stephanee Berry
---------------------------------

 

[TheIllustratedMan]

I would expect this reply:

The topic of electronic (or e-) cigarettes have been of increasing interest recently with consumers, especially smokers who are struggling to quit. These devices apparently contain no tobacco, mimic cigarettes and come in a variety of flavors. Most e-cigarettes claim to deliver nicotine; some do not. Several varieties of e-cigarettes are now on the market and some may be appealing to children and young adults.

Some people view these relatively new devices as a potentially "safe cigarette", or a possible smoking cessation aide. As an organization devoted to keeping young people from smoking and helping all smokers quit, the American Legacy Foundation supports research-proven products and techniques that can help smokers quit smoking - such as approved nicotine replacement products, and cessation counseling.

However, at this time, there is no publicly available independent research on the critically important questions of safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes. Research is not yet available on how the "smoking" technology these products use affects human health, nor is it known what ingredients these products actually deliver (nicotine or otherwise) and what the risks of these products might be. Without knowing exactly what ingredients these products contain, we cannot know what long-term health effect(s) said ingredients may have on those exposed to them.

Legacy is concerned about the potential health risks and the other claims made by the makers associated with these products. We believe that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) should properly evaluate and, if need be, regulate this product as is customary.

Thanks for your interest. For more information on Legacy's policy toward this product, please visit the American Legacy Foundation's policy statement section at Policy Statements - American Legacy Foundation.

Best of health,

truth®

Excellent effort though! The more people who write to them, the more they may be inclined to ACTUALLY look into electronic cigarettes, instead of just blowing them off with the old "unproven" line. Since that's all most of these groups can say, we need to not only campaign to them, but to the suppliers and manufacturers to PROVE IT! Write to your favorite supplier and ask him/her to get together with the ECA (even in an unofficial capacity) to petition the manufacturers for studies to be done. Or ask them to do studies themselves. Either way, we need to combine words with facts and show these groups that we're serious. Right now that's not entirely happening.

-Nate

 

[RandallFlagg]

It might also help to note that the FDA is run by the government...
Who operates through revenue..
That is generated by taxes...
Some of which are taken from cigarette sales....

 

[wv2win]

Nice effort and letter. The only point I don't agree with is that big tobacco is against or driving opposition to PV's. From everything I have read, the two main culprits are the Big Pharm. companies and ASH. Big Pham has the most at stake due to their losing significant customers to their NRT's that don't work. ASH is simply a "quit or die" vigilante group.

 

[hobbes4]

These self-serving groups are not going to do crap for you and don't care about your story. If you want to make an impact do everything you can to get the truth out in the media/public eye where they (FDA, ASH, etc.) will be forced to answer to their lies.

 

[chad]

These self-serving groups are not going to do crap for you and don't care about your story. If you want to make an impact do everything you can to get the truth out in the media/public eye where they (FDA, ASH, etc.) will be forced to answer to their lies.

Unfortunately, I'm inclined to agree with this assertion.

In any case, I applaud redjazzy1's activism in trying to do anything to better the industry's position in the public eye. This behavior should encouraged all the time - in many facets of life.

 

[Superstargoddess]

I wouldn't even bother with taking the time to write to those zealots. Those people are shock groups that are very narrow minded, I doubt that they will ever approve of PV's.

 

[sherid]

The group you wrote to IS the enemy, not BT. You are pounding on the wrong door by writing to them.

 

[redjazzy1]

so, what have the rest of you done to keep PVs in your life? btw i searched to see if i could find any direct government-thetruth link and came up empty handed, i contacted them because, as we all know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. (FDA funded by taxes taken from tobacco sales, yeah that's why i contacted an anti-tobacco group with an obvious financial backing and propensity to act BIG). so instead of trying to insult me perhaps those of you who feel my efforts were futile and wrongly directed could actually advise instead of condemn. any constructive direction and action on your parts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DaBrat]

LOL Got the same form letter back from them.... When it comes to cigs.. The TRUTH lies!!!

 

[DaBrat]

so, what have the rest of you done to keep PVs in your life? btw i searched to see if i could find any direct government-thetruth link and came up empty handed, i contacted them because, as we all know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend. (FDA funded by taxes taken from tobacco sales, yeah that's why i contacted an anti-tobacco group with an obvious financial backing and propensity to act BIG). so instead of trying to insult me perhaps those of you who feel my efforts were futile and wrongly directed could actually advise instead of condemn. any constructive direction and action on your parts would be greatly appreciated.

Jazzy write your elected respresentatives.. There are a lot of folks who you can write.. Just keep plugging away and keep telling your story. Eventually someone will listen. LOL!! I have sent so many emails that when my kid sees my email client open he says 'More E cig stuff?'

 

[redjazzy1]

Attorney General Bill McCollum received your correspondence expressing
your concerns regarding electronic cigarettes. Attorney General McCollum
has asked that I respond. I am sorry for your mother's health problems.

Our office welcomes the opportunity to hear from you. Please be aware, as
a part of the executive branch of government the Attorney General's Office
cannot sponsor or vote on pending legislation. We encourage you to
contact your legislative delegation to convey your views on this issue.
The Florida Legislature's website provides contact information for
senators and representatives, as well as legislative committees:

Information Center : flsenate.gov


Thank you for taking the time to contact Attorney General McCollum.

Sincerely,

Janna Barineau
Office of Citizen Services

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS E-MAIL. THIS ADDRESS IS FOR PROCESSING ONLY.

To contact our office please visit the Attorney General's website at
Florida Attorney General - Home Page and fill out the on-line contact form. Thank you
for contacting the Office of the Florida Attorney General.
________________________________________________________________________


INTERNET MESSAGE RECEIVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON 08/03/2009

Stephanee Berry
227 Paradise Woods Court
Davenport, FL, 33896
Phone: (863) 424-5132
Email: redjazzyproductions@yahoo.com

I'm losing my mother to lung and liver cancer. My best friend just lost
her 58
year old mother after she went into arrest, she smoked for 45 years.
Please
don't kill me next by banning the sale and use of the electronic
cigarette!
Who runs the state of Florida? Is it the legislature, or is it ASH and
other
anti smoking groups telling the legislators what to do. I understand that
ASH
has sent a letter directing state AD's to ban the sale of electronic
cigarettes. I have smoked a pack a day of cigarettes for 20 years. Now, I
use a
personal nicotine vaporizer, also known as an electronic cigarette and I
don't
smoke at all! My chest doesn't hurt, I don't cough every time I laugh, and
I
haven't slept this good in years! Although nothing is 100% safe, my e cig
is
thousands of times safer than real cigarettes. Please view the breakdown
at the
websites that I've linked to below. I'm not asking you to change your mind
this
instant, but PLEASE look at the data yourself and make YOUR OWN DECISION!!
ASH
does not want the appearance of smoking, so it recommends Nicorette
instead.
Nicorette contains the same chemicals as e cigs. ASH is out of control. I
vote
for people like you to run my government. I do not vote to let ASH and
other
anti smokers tell the elected officials what to do. Please examine the
real
story about e cigs, and do not let anti smokers control one more consumer
issue
in the state of Florida or elsewhere. If this administration will not
stand and
serve all constituents including smokers, perhaps another administration
in the
next election will.
Sincerely,
Stephanee M. Berry

Please refer to these websites for information on how these devices are
making
a positive difference in people's lives!
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary
http://www.healthnz.co.nz/2ndSafetyReport_9Apr08.pdf

 

[chad]

Attorney General McCollum
has asked that I respond. I am sorry for your mother's health problems.

What an especially impersonal response.

Don't let it get you down. By making an effort and taking action you've already done a great thing. Send you messages out to anyone and everyone.

 

[redjazzy1]

has everyone done the washington times thing? i just did... it's a great article!

 

[hyperdeficit]

the truth stretches the "truth" anyway. also when most people see those adds they groan in annoyance. Im not sure they would look positively or even listen to the ad about e cigs.

Anyways high five for writing to a major company to promote e cigs. that takes guts.

I am not trying to flame, I just dont like the truth

 

[Vocalek]

LOL Got the same form letter back from them.... When it comes to cigs.. The TRUTH lies!!!

LOL - the TRUTH lies....

yup, like a rug.