NY Chair Assembly Committee on Health response

[zadane]

I can't remember the email I sent them but this is the response

[FONT="]Thank you very much for writing to let me know of your opposition to Assembly bill A. 1468, which would prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and prohibit the sale of electronic cigarettes that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]The FDA has found that electronic cigarettes contain several cancer-causing ingredients, and are not necessarily a safe smoking-cessation product. [/FONT]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]To the extent they are intended to be a smoking cessation device, they should be legal for adults, and would be under the bill, if and when the manufacturers seek and obtain FDA approval, as with other medical products.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT="] [/FONT]
[FONT="]I appreciate your consideration in writing to me.[/FONT]
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[FONT="]Very truly yours,[/FONT]
[FONT="]Richard N. Gottfried[/FONT]
[FONT="]Chair[/FONT]
[FONT="]Assembly Committee on Health[/FONT]

 

[Vocalek]

Perhaps you could use some of what CASAA wrote to the Clark County WA Board of Health. I've edited it a little:


E-cigarettes are not intended for the purpose of nicotine cessation. E-cigarettes are a replacement for smoking. The tar, carbon monoxide, particulates, and thousands of chemicals in smoke cause 99% of tobacco-related diseases.

The FDA’s press release stated that the electronic cigarettes it tested contained “carcinogens.” But the FDA did not mention that the 8 nanograms of Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs) detected in the “high” cartridges are no more likely to be carcinogenic than the 8 nanograms of TSNAs in an FDA-approved nicotine patch.

In the case of Smoking Everywhere and Sottera (dba njoy) versus the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, both the lower court and the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia have issued opinions that, as long as vendors make no claims that electronic cigarettes can cure or treat a disease, the FDA cannot regulate the products as a drug or drug-delivery device combination under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act.
http://www.casaa.org/files/SE-vs-FDA-Opinion.pdf
http://www.casaa.org/files/ct app opinion on injunction.pdf

The Honorable Richard J. Leon, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stated that the FDA failed to provide any evidence that the products have harmed anyone.

Dr. Michael Siegel Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University School of Public Health reviewed the available evidence on the safety and effectiveness of e-cigarettes—including the testing conducted by the FDA—and concluded, “A preponderance of the available evidence shows them to be much safer than tobacco cigarettes and comparable in toxicity to conventional nicotine replacement products.” Journal of Public Health Policy - Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes[quest]

Under your bill, no electronic cigarettes would be legal. The FDA is not permitted to regulate them as drugs in the absence of medical claims.

What exactly do you expect the thousands of New Yorkers who rely on e-cigarettes to maintain their smoke-free status to do? You may believe that they would all just stop using any form of nicotine. You would be wrong. In a sruvey of e-cigarette 2,168 e-cigarette users, 75.3% said they would be "Very Likely" or "Likely" to start smoking again. Some would seek their e-cigarette supplies from a newly created black market. Can you honestly tell me that's in the best interests of public health?

 

[smiley7]

Yeah, I got that same reply this morning. Unbelievable that "electronic cigarettes contain several cancer-causing ingredients, and are not necessarily a safe smoking-cessation product." Just gets me upset! & Thanks Volacek, good message .

 

[Vocalek]

By the way, I don't expect the words above, or any words, to convince Richard Gottfried to change his mind. He has been told the truth before. Either he refuses to believe it, or he does believe it and does not care if you die. Perhaps he has some hidden motive for opposing the sale of e-cigarettes. Check what companies and organizatons contribute to his campaign funds. You might find the answers there.

NOTE: If you do want to send him a respnse, I just edited what I wrote above to take out mention of the DEG. All Gottfried mentioned was carcinogens.

 

[vapspaz]

I just got the same email from him. I was so ...... I just fired the below response to see if the empty suit could actually respond with documented facts. I should have checked in here first and sent him vocalek's response as well. lol



Mr. Gottfried,

Thank you for your response to my previous email.

Could you please send me any and all test study results and any other pertinent information and you have from the FDA in regards to this statement you just made.

"The FDA has found that electronic cigarettes contain several cancer-causing ingredients, and are not necessarily a safe smoking-cessation product. "

There are tens of thousands of people around the world that eagerly await your response to this matter as you apparently have vitally important information in which common people such as myself are not entitle to have.

I look forward to your prompt response.


Best regards,

xxxxxxxx

 

[Bustastew]

vapsvas, I got the same response from them. But they are not reading emails because their reply contradicts the existing 16 studies reviewed by Boston Universitys Dr Michael Seigel. They also ignored Exponemts study of the FDA's study of the electronic cigarette. It clearly shows that the FDA withheld the information showing the TSNS amounts. Their study only showed detect(D) or not detected(ND). They also did not repirt that their own approved patches, gum, and inhailer contain the same TSNA's at or in greater amounts than the ecig.

My point = Linda Rosentha can burn in hell along with all her goons that refuse to side with the proven truth!

 

[frew]

Gottfried is saying they should be legal for adults as a smoking cessation device if manufacturers get FDA approval as with other medical devices. Where did Gottfried get this? Not from our calls and emails. Where is the info we gave him?

 

[vapspaz]

Agreed busta. My intent with my reply was to see if he had the gonads to actually forward the reports to me and then I could easily respond back to him about all you had mentioned. Kinda like teasing the rat into the trap. lol
But yeah... I know they don't actually read our emails. I was just venting with some fun I guess.

 

[Vocalek]

If he responds, he will probably send you the link to the FDA's July 2009 Press Release.

 

[rothenbj]

With NY's financial problems, do you really expect them to want anything that could cause additional "financial" health issues? Gosh, what are we going to do with all these additional old people that are going to hang around longer, a complete strain on the system.

 

[Ruppy]

Yup I got the exact same email back. I was fuming at work today when I got it. My wife read it and gave me a concerned look. I told her it was based upon half truths and outright lies. The fictional propaganda the FDA spreads is a disgrace........

 

[mgmrick]

Yes I got this email today also. I sent him back an email asking him where he got his info from. I got back another email ten minutes later from him.....

Thank you for taking the time to e-mail my office.

I apologize for this form response. My office receives a huge volume of e-mail and letters every day. My staff and I review correspondence and make every effort to respond as quickly as possible. It is important to me to hear from you, but my office simply does not have the resources to individually answer each e-mail. This initial automated response is to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail. I will provide a more detailed response if and when possible. If your e-mail did not include your postal address, please re-send it with that information. If your e-mail includes comments or suggestions on legislative or other public issues, I assure you that I will consider your views in determining my own action on that issue.

For more information on bills and legislative status, please refer to www.public.leginfo.state.ny.us. You can also visit the New York State Assembly's website – New York State Assembly – to learn more about the legislative process. My page at that website – New York State Assembly - Member Section – will give you information on my work.

If you live in my Assembly district and need my help on an individual problem, please call my community office at 212-807-7900.

Very truly yours,
Richard N. Gottfried
Assembly Member

 

[Our House]

Dear Richard,

To the extent they are intended to be a smoking cessation device, they should be legal for adults, and would be under the bill, if and when the manufacturers seek and obtain FDA approval, as with other medical products.

Very clever wording, but the Federal Court System has already decided twice that electronic cigarettes do not require FDA drug approval.

Along the same lines, how would you feel if you couldn't keep your committee position without a majority vote from Parliament?

 

[JustJulie]

Love Carl Phillips.

And they wonder why so many people believe government is the enemy « Tobacco Harm Reduction: News & Opinions

 

[rothenbj]

Julie, thanks for posting the link. I would have done it myself if I was on my computer but its difficult setting up links on my Droid.

 

[Bustastew]

They have been informed of the truth, there is no leg to stand on without being supported by lies.

Pointless = sending them any more info.

What we needto do is go above their heads.

 

[JustJulie]

Julie, thanks for posting the link. I would have done it myself if I was on my computer but its difficult setting up links on my Droid.

Pretty much all I can comfortably do with my Droid is check my email.

 

[Demarko]

Yeah, next they'll ban steak, unless it's approved as a back scratcher.