My response from Sen Bill Nelson

[Hammerfyst]

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) proposed rules for the regulation of electronic cigarettes, commonly known as e-cigarettes. I appreciate your concerns.

In April 2014, the FDA released their first proposal for regulating e-cigarettes. Under these new rules, companies would no longer be allowed to sell their product to minors, offer free samples, or assert that their products are less harmful than cigarettes without FDA approval. Companies would also be required to disclose ingredients in their products and carry warnings that they contain nicotine.

I have heard from Floridians on all sides of this issue. Some see e-cigarettes as a true alternative to traditional smoking, and they are excited by its potential to help people quit smoking. Others are concerned that the wide array of flavors and broad accessibility will attract children and encourage them to try other tobacco products.

Although e-cigarettes may benefit public health, I am troubled by their availability to minors and the lack of reliable health studies. Educating children about the dangers of smoking is the best way to prevent them from ever starting the habit.

Rest assured that I will continue to monitor the situation as it develops. Please do not hesitate to contact me in the future.

Sincerely,
Bill Nelson

 

[VapRon]

I got the same response.
He makes it pretty clear what side he is on.....

 

[AgentAnia]

I've had the same response from him on two occasions. If there was any doubt in my mind, he made his position on vaping clear at Wednesday's hearing. That was when he lost my vote.

 

[zoiDman]

Sen Bill Nelson says that he is Troubled by the Lack of Reliable Health Studies (Sounds like he has be reading some of Glantz's work... LOL).

Has anyone sent him the Drexel Study or the London Report? Or some of the Other published papers that can be found on CASAA's web site?

Also, the Sale to Minors angle should Always be Quelled Immediately. There are Existing Procedures in place to ensure that Minors do not buy Cigarettes or Alcohol. And I don't see any Public Outcry over them.

Let e-Cigarettes fall under the Same Procedures and then this Issue can be Put To Rest.

 

[zoiDman]

BTW - Here is some Interesting Reading...

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/harvard-study-e-cigarettes-not-gateway-smoking-110418386.html#fXs42Fc

Wonder if a Staffer for Sen. Nelson can pass it Along to him? Or maybe Someone should send it to him Also.

 

[aikanae1]

Although e-cigarettes may benefit public health, I am troubled by their availability to minors and the lack of reliable health studies. Educating children about the dangers of smoking is the best way to prevent them from ever starting the habit.

That sounds like he might not be in favor of regulation??? I couldn't listen to the Weds hearing. Would he be tailorng his form letters based on position (which means someone actually read the letters - +1 compared to others).

I wish there was a way to reach some of these politicans for those of us who don't have someone on one of the committees.

 

[patkin]

Better than I got which, however, made life a bit easier knowing who I won't be voting for. Yeh, youth smoking prevention has worked sooooo well. Total BS.

 

[AgentAnia]

BTW - Here is some Interesting Reading...

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/harvard-study-e-cigarettes-not-gateway-smoking-110418386.html#fXs42Fc

Wonder if a Staffer for Sen. Nelson can pass it Along to him? Or maybe Someone should send it to him Also.

I've sent Nelson links to articles, reports, and studies up the wazoo. My messages have centered on many different vaping-related issues. The two times he's replied have been w/ the same canned message.

I sent my other senator, Marco Rubio, the same message about the hearing, as he's also on the Commerce Committee. I got a reply from him as well, saying he agreed that HHS appropriations was a matter of concern, and he's going to monitor the situation closely.

 

[JerryRM]

We are screwed. They want to protect their cigarette tax money and keep BP happy.

Get back to smoking, all ye peasants !!!!!

 

[zoiDman]

I've sent Nelson links to articles, reports, and studies up the wazoo. My messages have centered on many different vaping-related issues. The two times he's replied have been w/ the same canned message.

I sent my other senator, Marco Rubio, the same message about the hearing, as he's also on the Commerce Committee. I got a reply from him as well, saying he agreed that HHS appropriations was a matter of concern, and he's going to monitor the situation closely.

I knew that someone like yourself would send Information to your Rep. Right On!

If this wasn't included, I would strongly suggest that you pass this one Along.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploa...hment_data/file/311887/Ecigarettes_report.pdf

...

9. Summary and conclusions
Smoking kills, and millions of smokers alive today will die prematurely from their
smoking unless they quit. This burden falls predominantly on the most disadvantaged
in society. Preventing this death and disability requires measures that help as many of
today’s smokers to quit as possible. The option of switching to electronic cigarettes as
an alternative and much safer source of nicotine, as a personal lifestyle choice rather
than medical service, has enormous potential to reach smokers currently refractory to
existing approaches. The emergence of electronic cigarettes and the likely arrival of
more effective nicotine-containing devices currently in development provides a radical
alternative to tobacco, and evidence to date suggests that smokers are willing to use
these products in substantial numbers. Electronic cigarettes, and other nicotine
devices, therefore offer vast potential health benefits, but maximizing those benefits
while minimizing harms and risks to society requires appropriate regulation, careful
monitoring, and risk management. However the opportunity to harness this potential
into public health policy, complementing existing comprehensive tobacco control
policies, should not be missed.

I believe that this Paper, because of where it came from, would carry a Lot of Weight with Any US Elected Official.

 

[zoiDman]

We are screwed. They want to protect their cigarette tax money and keep BP happy.

Get back to smoking, all ye peasants !!!!!

Trust Me. They will get their Cigarette Tax Monies. They just Won't be called Cigarette Taxes. They will be Called "Tobacco Product" Taxes.

---

BTW - How is your Campaign to make the OUTSIDE a Kinder and Gentler place going?

 

[JerryRM]

I think it's going well, Zoid. A few glitches here and there, but that's to be expected.

 

[zoiDman]

I think it's going well, Zoid. A few glitches here and there, but that's to be expected.

You have a Very Tough Row to Hoe with that Cause Jerry. A Few Bumps in the Road are just part of the Path to be Traveled.

Have you Figured out Why the OUTSIDE is Why it is?

 

[JerryRM]

Oh heck, I know why it's the Outside, Zoid. But on the whole, IMO it's a nicer place than what I remember from years past.

 

[AgentAnia]

Trust Me. They will get their Cigarette Tax Monies. They just Won't be called Cigarette Taxes. They will be Called "Tobacco Product" Taxes....

Soon thereafter to be called "Nicotine Product" taxes...

 

[JerryRM]

Soon thereafter to be called "Nicotine Product" taxes...

Even if it's zero nic e-juice

 

[Luisa]

I've had the same response from him on two occasions. If there was any doubt in my mind, he made his position on vaping clear at Wednesday's hearing. That was when he lost my vote.

When does this guy come up for re-election? Let that be revenge time.

 

[zoiDman]

Soon thereafter to be called "Nicotine Product" taxes...

The reason I used the term "Tobacco Product" Taxes is I think that e-Cigarettes and Finished e-Cigarette Products will be Taxed Sooner or Later Also.

So when that Newbie a Year from Now buys a Blu Starter Kit, that there will be a Tobacco Product Tax on in as well as Sales Tax.

 

[Lurch]

Got the same response from him.
Got a message from Rubio that went on and on about how he didn't vote for additionally funding for the FDA. I wasn't writing about funding the FDA!!!! Read the message before you fire off a canned response!!!

 

[AgentAnia]

When does this guy come up for re-election? Let that be revenge time.

Unfortunately, not until 2019.