Part III: The "Newish" member Contest for Awareness --- Double the prizes!!!

[DC2]

DOUBLE THE PRIZES --- This time there will be two winners!!
The additional $50 prize is being offered courtesy of another member (CES) who wanted to help advance the goals of this contest.

Thanks CES!!!



The prizes
There will be two winners of one $50 niquid order from any vendor (or combination of vendors) of your choice.
However, all shipping charges will be paid from the $50 prize amount.

The duration of the contest
There will be a new winner every two-week contest period until I decide to discontinue for some reason.

Who is eligible
The contest is open to members who have been here six months or less as of the beginning of a given contest period.
So if a contest period starts on any given day in December then anyone with a Join Date of July or later will be eligible.

The contest is open to members who have not yet won in any of the previous two-week contest periods.
In other words, once you win, you are no longer eligible for future contest periods.

How to play
There will be seven questions during each two-week contest period.
The date and time of the next question to be answered will be posted in this thread.

The first person to correctly answer that question will get one point.
The person with the most points at the end of each two week contest period will be the winner for that contest period.

In the case of a tie, a tiebreaker question will be asked, which will probably be harder than the other questions.


Where the questions will come from
The questions will mostly be based on threads from the "Legislative News" and the "Media and General News" subforums.
There may, however, also be some questions related to CASAA as well.

And finally, there may also be questions related to the information presented in the first contest period.
That information is summarized in the post that follows this one.

When the contest begins
This contest period will begin on Friday, December 30th at 1pm Pacific Time.
The first question will be asked at that time, and the date and time of the next question will also be posted.


Why?
The idea is to make people aware of the issues we face as vapers, and to show them that we can make a difference.
Hopefully many new members will be encouraged to get involved, at the very time they are the most enthusiastic!


And here is a little hint
The more you keep up with the News subforums, the more likely you will be to win eventually.

I will be working towards coming up with questions that can be answered fairly quickly if you already know where to look.
This isn't intended to be like a scavenger hunt, but more like a way to encourage ongoing involvement.


One final note
If this contest doesn't sound like your kind of thing, that's okay.
But if EVERY VAPER would read the next post, then this whole contest idea will have been worth it.

So please, take some time when you can and read it through.
It contains almost all the information a vaper needs to know about the issues we face.

Whether or not you have the time or resources to help, at least the information will help you answer questions.
And we all know we get lots of questions!!

 

[DC2]

Information from the first question of the first contest period
Well, in order to understand where things stand with electronic cigarettes and the issues that we face as vapers, it is necessary to understand some of the history. It is necessary to understand where we've come from, and what we have overcome so far, in order to have a solid understanding of where we are heading and why.

So, the first question is about what might have been.

There is a landmark case in electronic cigarette history that, in essence, prevented what would have been a de facto ban on electronic cigarettes. In this case, the FDA was prevented from any further efforts to confiscate electronic cigarette shipments based on their insistance that they were unapproved drug delivery devices. The judge ruled in this case that the companies that sell electronic cigarettes do not claim to be selling a quit-smoking device, but rather an alternative to tobacco cigarettes.

Here are a couple of links that can bring you up to speed on the history of this case...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ut-why-do-we-need-watch-how-get-up-speed.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...174-se-njoy-vs-fda-court-dockets-updates.html


Information from the second question of the first contest period
Now let's take a look at who else opposes electronic cigarettes...

During the trial discussed in the previous question, a number of organizations came out in support of the FDA position that electronic cigarettes were unnapproved drug delivery devices which should be removed from the market. On April 27, 2010, a number of the organizations filed a Motion with the Court requesting Leave to participate as amicus curiae in support of the FDA.

Please note that all of the following organizations participated in this motion...
--American Cancer Society (ACS)
--American Heart Association (AHA)
--American Lung Association (ALA)
--American Medical Assocation (AMA)
--Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK)


Information from the third question of the first contest period
CASAA is a non-profit organization formed by (and made up of) members of this forum, and the case discussed in the previous questions was essentially where it all began. Frustrated and feeling powerless to do anything while the fate of electronic cigarettes was being decided before our eyes, we decided to fight back...

A nomination process was begun, and a list of those with the most nominations was created. Those nominees that were willing to participate then posted their argument for why they would make a good CASAA board member, and an election was held right here on the forum. And from this effort CASAA was born. We the People stepped up and, represented by CASAA, joined other groups in filing our own amicus brief with the court. And that was only the beginning of the work that CASAA continues to do, by us as vapers and for us as vapers.

The question for today is, what was the most recent Call To Action listed on the CASAA website?
Emergency Message for Northern California E-cigarette Users

And what was the final outcome of that legislation with respect to the fate of electronic cigarettes?
The Alameda City Council voted 5-0 to approve the new smokefree ordinance, but removed electronic cigarettes!


And because I really, really hope everyone reading this will support CASAA in their efforts, here are some links...
Join CASAA: CASAA | Member Signup
Support CASAA: CASAA.org
Help CASAA fight: CASAA.org


Information from the fourth question of the first contest period
There are many battles to be fought in our efforts to retain our ability to use electronic cigarettes, and to use them freely.

One of the strategies of those who oppose electronic cigarettes is to get them included in smoking bans. CASAA and other members of this forum keep us well-informed in the Legislative News subforums when these actions are attempted by local government agencies such as City Councils or Boards of Health.

But another, more disturbing trend is taking place, and that is what this question will focus on.

Recently, a hospital in Virginia initiated a policy on November 30th that they will no longer hire people who test positive for nicotine during pre-employment screening. This policy discriminates against not only smokers, but also people using nicotine gum, the patch, lozenges, or nicotine inhalers in an effort to quit smoking. And of course, it also discriminates against those using electronic cigarettes that contain nicotine.

Also recently, a medical university made a similar announcement about a policy they intend to enforce beginning in March of next year. The new rules say faculty, students and volunteers won’t even be allowed to smoke in personal vehicles parked on their property. To make matters worse, patients and visitors also must comply, and vendors who smoke on the job could have their contracts terminated. The new policy also forbids electronic cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco products in addition to cigarettes, cigars and pipes.

But in order to illustrate the difference that even simple actions can sometimes make, an employee who works for the hospital and uses an electronic cigarette got the attention of the local newpaper when he wrote an email to the President of the university. The response to the email was promising, although it remains to be seen if any changes to the policy will take place before it goes into effect. But history has shown that when we inform policymakers of the facts about smokeless alternatives, we are often able to change the outcome, so there is hope here.


Information from the fifth question of the first contest period
In previous questions we've looked at some of the groups that oppose electronic cigarettes, and how CASAA was formed in part to help counter that opposition. Soon I will probably get to examples of the difference that individual members of this forum have made to counter various bans being proposed around the country. But this question will focus on someone who comes from a different angle. He is a member of this forum with over 1000 posts, but does not use any tobacco products as far as I know...

His name is William T. Godshall and he is the Executive Director of Smokefree Pennsylvania. On this forum he goes by Bill Godshall, and you can't hardly read the Legislative News subforum without stumbling over a few of his posts. He is very much for non-smokers rights, and for that some people here consider him an anti-smoker and aren't always pleased with him. He has worked with politicians and health organizations to help draft legislation to promote non-smokers rights, pass no-smoking bans, and raise taxes on cigarettes. But where he differs from our opposition is in the fact that he is one of a slowly growing number of tobacco control people who believe very strongly in harm reduction. And he knows how the system works, because he has been a part of it for a very long time now. He is also currently serving as an advisor to CASAA.

Below is one of the best articles discussing who opposes electronic cigarettes, and Mr. Godshall is quoted within...
A Tool to Quit Smoking Has Some Unlikely Critics


Information from the sixth question of the first contest period
Most new vapers assume that Big Tobacco is funding the fight against electronic cigarettes. But in reality, it is the non-profit health organizations that are behind most efforts to curtail the use of electronic cigarettes. Even when the FDA stepped in and began confiscating shipments of electronic cigarettes, it was at the urging of these non-profit health organizations.

But why? You would think that the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association would embrace electronic cigarettes. You would think that the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights and the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids would be thrilled that a product finally exists that could help stamp out smoking. Well the answers, as usual, can be found by simply following the money.

First there is the money from the Master Settlement Agreement, and then there is the money from cigarette taxes. Much of this money goes to help organizations run anti-smoking campaigns. Many of these organizations would cease to exist if nobody smoked cigarettes any more. But there is another very large source of cash to help fund these organizations, and it comes from Big Pharma. Electronic cigarettes are a direct threat to their multi-billion dollar sales of nearly useless quit-smoking products.

From the following article, which anti-smoking organization was actually created by the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation?
The New Corporate American Business Model


Information from the seventh question of the first contest period
This contest was intended to be based on the Electronic Cigarette News subforums, namely the Media and General News subforum and the Legislative News subforum. And while it actually has been based on information that can be found in those subforums for the most part, some of it was from posts and threads from further back than most new members would have encountered. And yes, I am going to do it one more time, because there is one last piece of the puzzle I want to lay down for groundwork.

This question will be about something I spoke of briefly in a recent question... the small but growing number of "harm reduction" people who are at odds with the general Tobacco Control community that opposes electronic cigarettes. There are names like Brad Rodu, Joel Nitzkin, Bill Godshall, Riccardo Polosa, Elizabeth Whelan, Carl Phillips, Murray Laugesen, and Paul Bergen. But this question will focus on yet another person who has stepped up and out of the shadows of Tobacco Control to speak the truth...

Dr. Michael Siegel recently co-authored a study that goes perhaps further than any other to date in exonerating electronic cigarettes from claims of possible harm caused to users or bystanders. This study should be read by all vapers, and it's conclusions should be understood by anyone who agrees with the concept of harm reduction. It showed that there has never been anything that has ever been found in the vapor of electronic cigarettes that is cause for alarm. It is the best tool to date, in my opinion, to quiet all the speculation of possible harm by those who wish to see electronic cigarettes be made less available.

And here is a link to that study...
Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes?

 

[ManuDawg]

Thanks to CASAA for all you do for me as an ECig User. Thanks to DC2 for the contest and thanks to CES for putting up another prize!

 

[DC2]

In one of the questions in a previous contest period I mentioned the names of a number of some of the prominent harm reduction advocates who stand beside us in their appreciation of the possibilities of electronic cigarettes. One of them is an Italian researcher who has done a couple of studies which help to show the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in helping people quit inhaling burning tobacco. This question will focus on one of those studies, which was a case study of three inveterate smokers who found success using electronic cigarettes after a history of failure with other approved methods to quit smoking.

And another reason to focus on this study is because it also illustrates the fact that CASAA as an organization is making a real difference. CASAA is starting to become a more frequent target for media quotes, and in so doing they have taken some very large steps in helping to balance the discussion about the safety and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes. They are also in the trenches, fighting for our rights and battling attempted bans with an impressive degree of success. But the study in question shows another side of how CASAA can further the cause of electronic cigarettes, because that study features Elaine Keller (the current President of CASAA) who served as an advisor to the researchers.

For this question, simply provide a link to the study in question, or a link to a published article regarding that study.

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The next question will be asked on Sunday, January 1st at 3pm PST
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[sharpi]

http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/pdf/1752-1947-5-585.pdf

This is a link that I found to the study and below is a link to the post on the forum discussing it.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...lpful-smokers-history-recurring-relapses.html

 

[DC2]

Bingo!!

One point for you sharpi.

 

[sharpi]

This is a great idea. Not only will I learn a lot from this contest but it will keep me off of the classies and my credit card in my wallet! I am so glad that I stumbled upon this thread this afternoon. Once again ECF is teaching me things I never would have learned otherwise.

 

[DC2]

Since I'm watching football, I just threw this one together.
It is a two-part question, but if you've been paying attention, it should be fairly easy.


But if you haven't been paying attention then...

What company, which has the NRT market virtually cornered, created the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation?
Which anti-smoking organization did the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation create?

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The next question will be asked on Tuesday, January 3rd at 10am PST
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Hey, just be glad I didn't ask for a list of all the anti-smoking organizations and campaigns RWJF has funded.
Be even more glad I didn't ask how much money RWJF has given to those organizations and campaigns.

Hmmmmm, note to self for a potential future question...
Has RWJF given away more than a billion dollars in anti-smoking funding?

Okay, I won't really use that as a question.

 

[sharpi]

Johnson & Johnson

The Center for Tobacco-Free Kids

 

[sharpi]

Johnson and Johnson

Smoke Free Wisconsin

my bad

 

[DC2]

That is close enough.


So you have two points, and are certainly in the lead.
But even so, there are two prizes for this contest period, and nobody has even one point yet for the second prize.

Let the games begin!

 

[IThrenodyI]

Johnson and Johnson
SmokeLess States

 

[IThrenodyI]

ARGH should have refreshed LOL
WTG Sharpi!

 

[DC2]

I am going to evaluate these answers because i've been caught a bit off guard here.
This has become a bit more complicaed than I anticipated.


I willl let you both know tomorrow.

 

[IThrenodyI]

Sorry for the monkey wrench!

 

[sharpi]

I can concede. I just got it from the thread. After reading the full article (after I submitted answer quickly) I learned it was SmokeLess States. Or better yet we both have a point for each prize! Not sure how this works. Happy to be learning and competition is fun too.

 

[IThrenodyI]

I like the idea of a point for each of us, but no hard feelings if it goes to Sharpi as she was quicker. Either way, thanks for the informative contest!

 

[sharpi]

Oh I meant my point coming from first question...and you win this one. LOL! But since there are two prizes we each have one point for separate prizes. I actually have no clue how it works though. I mean...I sort of thought in the beginning that at the end of the two weeks the two members with the the highest amounts would be the winners. Again...no clue. Winning a prize would be great, but in reality the knowledge gained is a prize in and of itself.

 

[DC2]

Sorry for the confusion, I was in the middle of a Last Chargers Game of the Year party.
And it was also a Beat The Hated Raiders And Knock Them Out Of The Playoffs party.

So it was two parties combined into one big one, and I was a bit buzzed.

Sharpi wins the point, because she got close enough to the correct answer the first time...
Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.

So while Sharpi is pulling ahead, the race for the second $50 prize is WIDE OPEN!!
Happy New Years to everyone!!!



As a side note...

The correct answer of Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids comes from the information in the second post of this thread...
The New Corporate America Business Model

If a group doesn't exist, then RWJF just creates and funds it. For example - Tobacco-Free Kids. A brilliant marketing strategy. After all, who wouldn't want kids to be tobacco-free? RWJF created and funded Tobacco-Free Kids (TFK) with $84,000,000 in start-up money. In 2000, TFK drafted the core principles for the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

 

[DC2]

Well, I said this wasn't supposed to be like a scavenger hunt, but this question sort of will be...

As has been previously noted, CASAA was formed by us, they fight for us, and they are us.
Donating money is one way of supporting their cause, which is our cause, but there are many other ways.

This question will be about another way that you can help, perhaps even more important than money.
This question is about how to become a Regional Representive for CASAA.

Now this information is not easy to find, and I am told that will be changing soon.
But for now, this one may take awhile, and it won't be nearly as easy as it should be.

For this question, use the CASAA website to provide a link to information that explains how to become a Regional Representative.


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The next question will be asked on Thursday, January 5th at 5pm PST
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This question is pretty hard, but I'll give you a hint...

There is only one place through the CASAA website where you can find this information.
When you find it, you may not think it is what I was looking for, but actually it IS what I was looking for.