Oregon

[FreakyStylie]

I am an Oregonian, and I am extremely confused. If you put Oregon and electronic cigarettes into Google's giant mouth, all you get is Smoking Everywhere and John Kroger coming out.

After the problem with njoy, Oregon has had a "complete" ban on electronic cigarette sales.

"Even if courts decide that the FDA does not have regulation authority, the settlement stipulates that electronic cigarettes may not be sold in Oregon unless there is competent and reliable scientific evidence to support the product's safety claims. In addition, the companies must give the Attorney General advance notice that they intend to sell electronic cigarettes in Oregon, provide copies of all electronic cigarette advertising, and provide copies of the scientific studies they maintain substantiates their claims." - Oregon Department of Justice, July 30, 2009 Media Release

Walk into a 7-Eleven, however, and you will see Xhale02 electronic cigarettes on the counter, not behind it like tobacco products are required to be displayed. I do not understand the hypocrisy that this conveys on so many levels. I am certain the company which distributes the Xhale02 has not provided the required information, or I would have seen it here and on the news. Somehow, they must be flying under the radar. But this is 7-Eleven. I am sure that somebody who works for the Department of Justice has gone in to get a Slurpee, or a pack of cigarettes.

I would love to see an actual store that could sell more quality products at a price that can compete with the cost of cigarettes. The price of the Xhale02 brand will not persuade smokers to end their current, unhealthy habit.

Because of this, and from friends and acquaintances of mine being interested in my personal vaporizers, I did some research to see what Oregon would require in order to legally resell the supplies. I found a very strange obstacle. The Oregon tobacco Tax Program distributes 73% of its funds to the Oregon Health Plan. The Oregon Health Plan provides medical insurance to low-income children. In order for Oregon to keep its children healthy, smokers must continue to buy cigarettes.

So, it seems that, until Oregon can find a way to tax electronic cigarettes, and/or the vaporizing liquid required to make them operate, there will be no electronic cigarette sales in Oregon. ( Except 7-Eleven, which is a mystery.) Furthermore, it has been made clear in no uncertain terms that these items will not be allowed for sale until science can prove that they are safe.

My question is, "How does a person bring this hypocrisy to the public's attention and question the authority behind it without harming the case for electronic cigarettes?"

 

[Kythcat]

My question is, "How does a person bring this hypocrisy to the public's attention and question the authority behind it without harming the case for electronic cigarettes?"

Here is what I would do if I was still in Oregon. Walk around the streets with a pv glued to my face and vape away . I've heard about this, and think it's a crazy thing. But then, over the last few years, several things that came out of Oregon doesn't make sense. I've had a long history of battleing Oregon for small things, and finally gave up and moved to Idaho.

And just so you know, I was born and raised in Salem. I've moved back twice now, started the battles over again, and then gave up. At least by using a pv in public, it might help raising awareness about them.

 

[lmrasch]

I know that the news makes it seem as if Oregon has banned sales of e cigs, BUT.....it's simply NOT TRUE!
There are 2 companies that cannot sell e cigs here because of lawsuits claiming that these companies were making false medical claims. One company pulled out and the other was fined. I'm on my iPod right now or I would clarify who those companies were, right now the names escape me.
There are a couple of e cig vendors around the malls here as well as 7-11 selling them. Media here has done a bang up job trying to keep us uninformed with half truths.
Vape away


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

[FreakyStylie]

I know that the news makes it seem as if Oregon has banned sales of e cigs, BUT.....it's simply NOT TRUE!
There are 2 companies that cannot sell e cigs here because of lawsuits claiming that these companies were making false medical claims. One company pulled out and the other was fined. I'm on my iPod right now or I would clarify who those companies were, right now the names escape me.
There are a couple of e cig vendors around the malls here as well as 7-11 selling them. Media here has done a bang up job trying to keep us uninformed with half truths.
Vape away


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

From what the Attorney General's site says, it appears to be all electronic cigarettes. Maybe it is just written craftily in order to deter future businesses from popping up.

While I agree with Kythcat that vaping so that people can become more used to it is important, and I do that, and talk to people; I feel like the devices being sold are doing nothing but put an unfavorable view on electronic cigarettes due to their poor quality and high cost.

I have become the "e cig library", if you will. I've currently only got one 510 out on loan, but I have more inquiries. At some point, I am sure, it will become a referral service, then maybe a request to get devices for them. (Not everybody is going to come to ECF and become OCD like a lot of us here.) I'm a bit afraid of the law, and I would like to see it change so that businesses with good devices could open shop. I'd love to walk to the corner and pick up some supplies from MadVapes or Freedom Smoke USA, or the like.

I want to see legitimate legal and business minds who are able to make a difference. I am one of those people who just sit there saying things should change, but do nothing about it. Not because I don't want to, but because I've got one of those personalities that just never finishes what they start. All forty years of my life. (Just ask my wife how many half-finished projects are laying around the house.) I posted this in the CASAA section hoping to find some Oregonians who are actively working to make a change. Just because I don't finish things, doesn't mean I'm not willing to lend a hand at times.

I also posted because I don't hear what is going on; and, frankly, the CASAA site is still confusing to me. All I ever hear in Oregon is NJOY, Smoking Everywhere, radiator fluid, and "are they healthier?"

 

[Cit-e Steamer]

Freaky Stylie (back when the RHCP were good, right),

This is exactly the type of issue that would be discussed at a CASAA regional rep meeting. One is scheduled for tomorrow night and every other Wed. night (see thread). If you wish to become a CASAA regional rep (fighting on the front lines in your state), send me a PM and I will send you the password to the room.

Warrior vapers unite!!!!

Cit-e

 

[FreakyStylie]

Freaky Stylie (back when the RHCP were good, right),

This is exactly the type of issue that would be discussed at a CASAA regional rep meeting. One is scheduled for tomorrow night and every other Wed. night (see thread). If you wish to become a CASAA regional rep (fighting on the front lines in your state), send me a PM and I will send you the password to the room.

Warrior vapers unite!!!!

Cit-e

You may have missed the part where I mentioned that I'm not the "representative" type. Sure, you bring me customers, and I'll keep them coming back. People have always flocked to my area in customer service jobs, and commented about my voice, my friendly personality, the way I arrange products or information, etc.

But, when it comes down to the door-to-door, cold calling, or confrontational type jobs, I lock up and freeze. All of my abilities go down the toilet. And, face it, in order to represent something, you have to obtain the ability to stand steadfast against anything that comes at you.

Like I said, I'm all for lending a hand. I can go to Kinko's and buy a bunch of copies for fliers, I can even pass a few out. I can research the snot out of something, compile data, design, etc. I just lack the organizational skills, the time, and the stick-to-it-iveness required to perform well in such a capacity.

I can take twenty minutes to type out a somewhat coherent bit of text, but I can't speak fluidly in public. I can command a group or follow a command down to the last detail, but I can't lead a pack. I can outline a project for vendors to complete or complete a task as assigned, but I can't finish the projects I begin. I have my talents, and others have theirs.

Maybe the best thing I can do is what Kythcat has said. I'll just stick to doing what I do. I have increasing amounts of people becoming aware around me. I'll make sure that people know that the so-called "radiator fluid" is as common and safe as dihydrogen monoxide. I'll get people interested in my pvs and help them place orders and let more people know. Six degrees right? I'll leave it up to the rest to get the changes made, and I'll keep my eye on the news to see if anything changes.

 

[kristin]

From what the Attorney General's site says, it appears to be all electronic cigarettes. Maybe it is just written craftily in order to deter future businesses from popping up.

That is exactly what it is. The press release was very deceptive. The agreement not to sell in Oregon was ONLY for Smoking Everywhere and Njoy, because those are the only two companies the AG sued and the only two companies who agreed in the settlement not to sell e-cigarettes in Oregon. That settelment has no impact on other e-cigarette merchants.

Being a Regional representative isn't about door-knocking or cold-calling. It's about keeping abreast of what is going on in your area. If you see news reports about impending legislation, you simply contact the board and CASAA then sends out a Call-to-Action. You can then help by speaking to or writing your legislators (with CASAA assistance, of course). This is one reason why we need as many Regional Reps as possible - if one is stronger at writing and another would be better at speaking, CASAA can help them work together based on those strengths. regional Reps can help even if all they can do is watch the news, report back to CASAA and hand out CASAA cards to people who ask them about their smoking alternatives or direct them to the site. Regional Reps are CASAA's "eyes and ears" on the front lines.

 

[BillyP]

That is exactly what it is. The press release was very deceptive. The agreement not to sell in Oregon was ONLY for Smoking Everywhere and Njoy, because those are the only two companies the AG sued and the only two companies who agreed in the settlement not to sell e-cigarettes in Oregon. That settelment has no impact on other e-cigarette merchants.

Iv looked into it too and Kristin is exactly right about the "ban in Oregon". We have the XHale e-cigs at the 7-11's in Eugene, there is also a local head shop that sells "E-HealthCigarettes".

 

[Misshaunter]

We are in Brookings OR for the winter months but we are from Spokane Wa. My hubby and I both have been vaping for 2 years now. We were running low on juice and we looked the entire way here in OR and could not find any juice. Once we got settled in Brookings I got on the net and order from a company in CA. I've talked to some store owners here and they are very curious about selling the ecigs but they are just to scared to carry them due to the partal ban of the couple of ecig companies. But I did give these business owners the website here to get more info on ecigs.

 

[FreakyStylie]

That is exactly what it is. The press release was very deceptive. The agreement not to sell in Oregon was ONLY for Smoking Everywhere and Njoy, because those are the only two companies the AG sued and the only two companies who agreed in the settlement not to sell e-cigarettes in Oregon. That settelment has no impact on other e-cigarette merchants.

Being a Regional representative isn't about door-knocking or cold-calling. It's about keeping abreast of what is going on in your area. If you see news reports about impending legislation, you simply contact the board and CASAA then sends out a Call-to-Action. You can then help by speaking to or writing your legislators (with CASAA assistance, of course). This is one reason why we need as many Regional Reps as possible - if one is stronger at writing and another would be better at speaking, CASAA can help them work together based on those strengths. regional Reps can help even if all they can do is watch the news, report back to CASAA and hand out CASAA cards to people who ask them about their smoking alternatives or direct them to the site. Regional Reps are CASAA's "eyes and ears" on the front lines.

Thank you for the clarification. Maybe I should jump in as a rep then. Today, I've been researching who, and what, is in control. I'm afraid to contact anybody because I would hate to be a stumbling block for something that I what I believe in. I just felt like contacting a news company to do a story, interview some vapers, or something.

I've decided that I am going to do my research as a person who would like to open a Vapor Cafe. I'm not much of a businessman, and wouldn't have the capital to start one, but that is how I've decided I can find the information I want. I don't even know who I would contact first because the information is so sketchy on the state sites.

I do know this much. They want transparency and maximum supervision here in Oregon. From what I have been reading since I first posted this thread, it seems that they just want all advertisements and products to pass through them. Since they have to have a list of registered tobacco suppliers and distributors, (because of PACT according to what I see) they want to see this coming from an electronic cigarette distributor too. That would mean, if I were to open a Vapor Cafe, the want to know who is manufacturing the products containing the nicotine. I am actually starting to believe that it would be less difficult to become accepted than I originally thought. (Not easy though - they still have to compensate potential revenue losses, and I don't think they know how to properly license because they are waiting on the FDA.)

Maybe I will take a little more time to understand the CASAA site.

 

[FreakyStylie]

Iv looked into it too and Kristin is exactly right about the "ban in Oregon". We have the XHale e-cigs at the 7-11's in Eugene, there is also a local head shop that sells "E-HealthCigarettes".

Neither of those kits will help smokers if they don't know what else is out there. The only reason I bought the xhale was so I could try it for $20. I had already done my research though. It gave me a chance to see if I would really be interested in them. But alas, most people won't know there is something better and will continue driving one nail at a time into their coffins.

We are in Brookings OR for the winter months but we are from Spokane Wa. My hubby and I both have been vaping for 2 years now. We were running low on juice and we looked the entire way here in OR and could not find any juice. Once we got settled in Brookings I got on the net and order from a company in CA. I've talked to some store owners here and they are very curious about selling the ecigs but they are just to scared to carry them due to the partal ban of the couple of ecig companies. But I did give these business owners the website here to get more info on ecigs.

That is so sad, but I'm glad you posted. It made me realize that I have a connection with a store owner that sells tobacco. I am going to have to try to take him out to lunch or something. Thanks for chiming in!

 

[kristin]

Maybe I will take a little more time to understand the CASAA site.

If you need help finding anything, just let us know. We are working on reorganizing the site - the amount of data and reports we have posted has grown very quickly since we first put the site up. We seem to be outgrowing it already!

 

[Surf Monkey]

Kroger and his staff are highly problematic. I spent nearly 12 months trying to get ahold of anyone in the Oregon AG's office to no avail. Kroger has made it his mission to squash PVs in this state and won't listen to any opposing viewpoints. The amount of time and effort he's spent on this issue is shocking.

And to the OP's impression that all PV sales are banned here: that's exactly what Kroger wants you to think, but it isn't true. The Oregon ruling only applies to Smoking Everywhere and NJoy.

 

[normagene]

Kroger and his staff are highly problematic. I spent nearly 12 months trying to get ahold of anyone in the Oregon AG's office to no avail. Kroger has made it his mission to squash PVs in this state and won't listen to any opposing viewpoints. The amount of time and effort he's spent on this issue is shocking.

And to the OP's impression that all PV sales are banned here: that's exactly what Kroger wants you to think, but it isn't true. The Oregon ruling only applies to Smoking Everywhere and NJoy.

While it may in fact be true that it's not illegal, my neighbor had a package of ejuice sent from Ohio (I don't remember what company) and it was labeled as ejuice. He got a notice in his P.O. Box saying package returned. He contacted the supplier and was told that the package was returned by the U.S. post office in Oregon because it was marked Ecigarette.

So I would say that it is either illegal or at least it is being treated as illegal in Oregon.

 

[Fopa]

Sounds like the neighbor got a notice to pick up a pkg at the PO because it wouldn't fit in his box or there was not a safe place to leave it. After so many days if the package is not picked up a notice is left that the package will be returned on such & such a date.
The Post Office is not going to change operations in every state due to various state laws. If an item was illegal to ship, it should not be accepted for shipment and eventually the shipper would be notified in no uncertain terms that those items cannot be shipped.
I think there was a misunderstanding.
I worked at the PO for many years and understand how they process and ship.

 

[normagene]

Sorry I'm just getting back to you on this. No, I checked with him. It was returned to the supplier with a notice stating e cigarettes and e cigarette products cannot be distributed through the mail in Oregon. The supplier resent it with a blank label and he got it just fine.

 

[Vocalek]

Sorry I'm just getting back to you on this. No, I checked with him. It was returned to the supplier with a notice stating e cigarettes and e cigarette products cannot be distributed through the mail in Oregon. The supplier resent it with a blank label and he got it just fine.

Hmmm. Is there a law on the books stating that e-cigarettes cannot be delivered by mail? If not, your friend might want to find out who told the Post Office they could not deliver e-cigarettes. Next, I'd suggest that she or he lodge a complaint with the Postmaster General's office against the joker in Oregon interfering with the delivery of the U.S. Mail. Even the State Attorney General cannot make up "law" all by himself. The legislature needs to pass the law and the executive branch enforces the laws. Whatever was in the settelement agreement between SE and Oregon and between NJOY and Oregon is not law. If there is an Oregon law prohibiting e-cigarette sales, we never heard about it here.

 

[GMoney]

That is exactly what it is. The press release was very deceptive. The agreement not to sell in Oregon was ONLY for Smoking Everywhere and Njoy, because those are the only two companies the AG sued and the only two companies who agreed in the settlement not to sell e-cigarettes in Oregon. That settelment has no impact on other e-cigarette merchants.

.....

It is too bad they can't BAN the Attorney Generals' Office for false and misleading claims. Part of what is so difficult about the e-cig battle is that the forces aligned against us are using our money to fight us and they can lie with impunity.

 

[Vocalek]

The AG gets an "F" in science, as well. SE and NJOY are prohibited from claiming that their product does not deliver tar until they present scientific evidence to that effect. Since tar is created by the process of combustion, and e-cigarettes don't burn anything, it's a no-brainer that they don't deliver tar. Any junior high school chemistry teacher could verify that.