Potential Kentucky Ban - Help with an E-mail.

[RooksGambit]

Hey ECFers!

I live in Lexington, KY, where a local professor, Ellen Hahn who is part of a local SmokeFree group and wants to ban E-Cigs like Oregon has.

I am writing her an e-mail. I figure I have friends here, and I should capitalize on that.

What I Need: Links! Links to articles, videos, studies by medical or industry professionals that support our cause. My ultimate goal is to get her to come here and verify what I'm telling her.

Here is what I have for the email so far, and I need help with where to go next:

Hello Professor Hahn,

I am writing to you in regards to a news piece that I read in which you stated you had some serious concerns about the electronic cigarette, and intended to pursue the banning of the sale of the devices much as Oregon has. I am not a supplier, a manufacturer or distributor of these products. I'm just a guy that lives here in Lexington, I'm a server at a local restaurant, and I was a smoker for 14 years. I'm only 28. Until recently that scared me. I knew it was killing me. Then I found these products. I am not someone who easily has the wool pulled over their eyes. When I discovered these products, I researched them for several weeks. I saw the FDA report, but I am also not someone who takes one side of a story for truth, even if it is a trusted Government organization. There are always three sides to a story. What "he" said, what "she" said and what really happened.

After my research, I finally decided to purchase one of these devices. I initially bought it so that I could sneak a bit of nicotine at work without needing to go outside, and potentially missing the needs of a customer and losing a tip. To my surprise, I left an unopened pack of cigarettes on my coffee table for over a week, because I really just didn't need one. I haven't smoked tobacco in 25 days now. I breath better, my lungs do not rasp when I lay down to go to sleep. My sense of taste and smell are improving. I can smell my co-workers when they come in from smoking, and it's terrible. I tried to smoke an "analog" (the humorous term "vapers", or electronic cigarette users coined for traditional tobacco cigarettes), and it was absolutely disgusting.

From what I have found, the FDA report is disingenuous at best."

Now that I have the personal stuff out of the way, where do I go next?

Thank you, very much, for any and all help, folks!

-Rook

 

[yvilla]

Rook, soupervapor has put together a page with some very key links:

Alternative to Smoking?

The letter to the FDA by Dr. Nitzkin/the AAPHP linked to on the above page is wonderful, well actually all the links provided are great, so check them all out!

One thing not on that page is the article in the Washington Times by Dr. Elizabeth Whelen; that is here:

FDA smoke screen on e-cigarettes - Washington Times

Another thing not there is an interview of David Sweanor, a world renowned anti-smoking expert who is also solidly pro-ecigs:

E Cigarette Interview with David Sweanor

 

[RooksGambit]

Thank you very much yvilla!

Those are several of the documents I was actually looking for. I knew someone had to have collected this stuff somewhere.

-Rook

 

[Ellis]

Hey ECFers!

I live in Lexington, KY, where a local professor, Ellen Hahn who is part of a local SmokeFree group and wants to ban E-Cigs like Oregon has.

I am writing her an e-mail. I figure I have friends here, and I should capitalize on that.

What I Need: Links! Links to articles, videos, studies by medical or industry professionals that support our cause. My ultimate goal is to get her to come here and verify what I'm telling her.

Here is what I have for the email so far, and I need help with where to go next:


Hello Professor Hahn,

I am writing to you in regards to a news piece that I read in which you stated you had some serious concerns about the electronic cigarette, and intended to pursue the banning of the sale of the devices much as Oregon has. I am not a supplier, a manufacturer or distributor of these products. I'm just a guy that lives here in Lexington, I'm a server at a local restaurant, and I was a smoker for 14 years. I'm only 28. Until recently that scared me. I knew it was killing me. Then I found these products. I am not someone who easily has the wool pulled over their eyes. When I discovered these products, I researched them for several weeks. I saw the FDA report, but I am also not someone who takes one side of a story for truth, even if it is a trusted Government organization. There are always three sides to a story. What "he" said, what "she" said and what really happened.

After my research, I finally decided to purchase one of these devices. I initially bought it so that I could sneak a bit of nicotine at work without needing to go outside, and potentially missing the needs of a customer and losing a tip. To my surprise, I left an unopened pack of cigarettes on my coffee table for over a week, because I really just didn't need one. I haven't smoked tobacco in 25 days now. I breath better, my lungs do not rasp when I lay down to go to sleep. My sense of taste and smell are improving. I can smell my co-workers when they come in from smoking, and it's terrible. I tried to smoke an "analog" (the humorous term "vapers", or electronic cigarette users coined for traditional tobacco cigarettes), and it was absolutely disgusting.

From what I have found, the FDA report is disingenuous at best."

Now that I have the personal stuff out of the way, where do I go next?

Thank you, very much, for any and all help, folks!

-Rook

I am from Kentucky also and have not heard about this. Do you happen to have a link to anything she has written about wanting to ban e-cigs? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks for posting.

 

[sherid]

Hey ECFers!

I live in Lexington, KY, where a local professor, Ellen Hahn who is part of a local SmokeFree group and wants to ban E-Cigs like Oregon has.

I am writing her an e-mail. I figure I have friends here, and I should capitalize on that.

What I Need: Links! Links to articles, videos, studies by medical or industry professionals that support our cause. My ultimate goal is to get her to come here and verify what I'm telling her.

Here is what I have for the email so far, and I need help with where to go next:

Hello Professor Hahn,

I am writing to you in regards to a news piece that I read in which you stated you had some serious concerns about the electronic cigarette, and intended to pursue the banning of the sale of the devices much as Oregon has. I am not a supplier, a manufacturer or distributor of these products. I'm just a guy that lives here in Lexington, I'm a server at a local restaurant, and I was a smoker for 14 years. I'm only 28. Until recently that scared me. I knew it was killing me. Then I found these products. I am not someone who easily has the wool pulled over their eyes. When I discovered these products, I researched them for several weeks. I saw the FDA report, but I am also not someone who takes one side of a story for truth, even if it is a trusted Government organization. There are always three sides to a story. What "he" said, what "she" said and what really happened.

After my research, I finally decided to purchase one of these devices. I initially bought it so that I could sneak a bit of nicotine at work without needing to go outside, and potentially missing the needs of a customer and losing a tip. To my surprise, I left an unopened pack of cigarettes on my coffee table for over a week, because I really just didn't need one. I haven't smoked tobacco in 25 days now. I breath better, my lungs do not rasp when I lay down to go to sleep. My sense of taste and smell are improving. I can smell my co-workers when they come in from smoking, and it's terrible. I tried to smoke an "analog" (the humorous term "vapers", or electronic cigarette users coined for traditional tobacco cigarettes), and it was absolutely disgusting.

From what I have found, the FDA report is disingenuous at best."

Now that I have the personal stuff out of the way, where do I go next?

Thank you, very much, for any and all help, folks!

-Rook

Ellen Hahn is the female equivalent of John Banzhaf. You are wasting your time.
In spirit of Orwell?s ?1984,? administration proposes campuswide tobacco ban | The Kentucky Kernel
News Democrat Leader - Smoke clears for students not for nicotine nannies

Try this group. They speak out against smoking bans. I am sure they would be receptive to e cigs.
Reclaiming Liberty! :: Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

 

[dragonpuff]

This is my all-time favorite site i refer people to who inquire about my quit-smoking method:
Tobaccoharmreduction.org

 

[yvilla]

This is my all-time favorite site i refer people to who inquire about my quit-smoking method:
Tobaccoharmreduction.org

Dragon, I would have definitley referred Rook there too, but it IS included in the links provided on souper's page that I linked to.

 

[PlanetScribbles]

WOW. Ban-hoff has a female equivilent? The anti-smoking lobby has infiltrated the whole of Amerika!

 

[Vex444]

The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones

 

[ShakaCthulu]

Maybe some "anecdotal evidence" in the form of testimonials, like HaploVoss's experience with replacing cigs with vaping helping his epilepsy:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/campaigning/34301-e-cigarettes-drug-addicts-9.html#post552145

I don't see how anti-marijuana zealots can keep parroting their drug war line after seeing footage of an MS sufferer getting relief from it, but such is the way when someone is lacking in the conscience department. If you're dealing with the female equivalent of Pantzhaf here, such will be the case.

 

[Nole1028]

I am so glad I found this page! I was e-mailed the Public Service Announcement that Ellen Hahn was proposing a ban on these. I sent her a lengthy e-mail as well last night.

Ellen Hahn is the female equivalent of John Banzhaf. You are wasting your time.


You may consider this a waste of time but if we all get scared and run from one person who has authority or influence, then we can never get anything done. This kind of comment is counter productive to our goals as advocates of PVs.
I REFUSE to give in on this. It has saved my life from smoking and will save thousands of others if we don't give up.

 

[BardicDruid]

Well if this woman is the equivalent of John Banzhaf, talking to her will be useless. What you need to do is contact the people she's talking too and counter her claims.

 

[Nole1028]

Well if this woman is the equivalent of John Banzhaf, talking to her will be useless. What you need to do is contact the people she's talking too and counter her claims.

And you may be exactly right. I believe if you are going to tell someone that they are barking up the wrong tree, give them some hope or direction. The worst thing we can do is convince ourselves and others that this is a useless fight just because it appears to be difficult.

You and I and many others on this forum know the effectiviness of the e-cig. That's enough to convince me that this is worth fighting for.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Always good to know your enemy.
Heres her enemy:
Google this guy. Jim Waters of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

 

[RooksGambit]

Always good to know your enemy.
Heres her enemy:
Google this guy. Jim Waters of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

Sir, that is exactly what I needed. Thanks for the heads up. I will be sending my email to both Professor Hahn and Jim Waters. Almost got it finished. Want it to be perfect.

-Rook

 

[kinabaloo]

rook - very nice mail; lays it out. The only thing that could imprive it is a sentence or two on what the FDA reposrt did not say.

Making our voice heard it what it's it all about - kudos!

yvilla - i didn't have the third link on my site and will consider adding it.

Similarly the tobaccoharmreduction site; after get some sleep.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Rooks -

Thank you for taking the initiative in KY.

Technical Review and Analysis of FDA Report: Evaluation of e-cigarettes

The third link (in the blog post) is a pdf to the Exponent report peer reviewing the FDA's report.

Exponent is used by many companies for testing towards FDA approval and is one of the US's most highly recognized labs. The FDA usually sees things from Exponent as being top-notch and thoroughly done research.

In this case, Exponent went through the FDA's report and broke down the issues. It's a great read and IMHO, if someone is going to take the FDA's report as fact, they should certainly read this.

 

[sherid]

I am so glad I found this page! I was e-mailed the Public Service Announcement that Ellen Hahn was proposing a ban on these. I sent her a lengthy e-mail as well last night.

Ellen Hahn is the female equivalent of John Banzhaf. You are wasting your time.


You may consider this a waste of time but if we all get scared and run from one person who has authority or influence, then we can never get anything done. This kind of comment is counter productive to our goals as advocates of PVs.
I REFUSE to give in on this. It has saved my life from smoking and will save thousands of others if we don't give up.

We know that, and you can send it to whomever you like. My suggestion is to counter her and those like her by calling attention to the issue by sending your plea to a group that has clout and will work for us. That's why I suggested the Bluegrass Institute. They will not delete your message.

 

[sherid]

Here's why Ellen Hahn is not going to help and why the Bluegrass Institute may.
Smoking out socialist smack on cigarettes
By Jim Waters
Kentucky’s smoking nannies have made it clear: They want a state-government imposed and enforced smoking ban in every public place in the commonwealth – even in local communities that have decided otherwise.
We must stop them.
They brush aside as insignificant — or worse, ignore altogether — the right of local governments to make smoking policies that best fit their communities, especially if those decisions result in a partial ban rather than a total one.
For example, the state’s Chief Smoking Nanny, Ellen Hahn, who directs the University of Kentucky Center for Smoke Free Policy, recently issued her call for a statewide ban while in Bowling Green to speak to the Rotary Club.
“I think it would be really wonderful if the state would pass it,” Hahn told Dan Modlin, news director for Western Kentucky University’s public radio affiliate, who covered the speech. “However, let me just say — it has got to be totally comprehensive, meaning that all work places would be covered.”
Then to my amazement, she added: “It has to have anti-pre-emptive language, meaning that local governments could do more if they wanted to.”
Look out. The nannies think those governments not satisfied with simply trampling on the private-property rights of business owners should be able to tell you what you can – or cannot – do in your personal living space.
Perhaps they could force apartment-building owners to ban smoking in their units, or send armed troops to arrest parents who smoke at home around children.
Not only that, Hahn wants to spend “millions” on a statewide ban. Making a comment like that during an economic downturn makes me wonder what she’s been smoking.
By pushing for a statewide ban while in Bowling Green, Hahn thumbed her nose at the city commission, which voted 3-2 against a comprehensive smoking ban in August 2007.
Instead, commissioners agreed to ban smoking in publicly owned places – such as courthouses and parks. It was a reasonable – and constitutionally acceptable – compromise. And based on the most recent election results, the community seems satisfied.
Hahn’s proposal indicates that nannies have very little interest in finding acceptable compromises. They would not hesitate to waste all effort by local governments that have already done their own wrestling on this issue.
The same thing happened in Hopkins County, which fought through much controversy and reached a decision recently that all sides accepted. It bans smoking in public places where those under age 18 are allowed.
This agreement resulted from nearly a yearlong fight, during which county lawmakers tried to evade responsibility by passing it to nannies in the county’s health department. Residents who fought the ban believe bureaucrats in Frankfort were pushing the locals to bypass elected officials and trample on the rights of private-property owners in the name of protecting people’s health. Look for them to try and do the same thing in other communities.
But after this column called attention to the magistrates’ all-out attempt to avoid making tough decisions, they worked with local residents and reached a compromise. Hahn’s proposal would undo that and cheapens efforts already put forth by local residents to solve the issue.
Smoking out socialist smack on cigarettes (Posted May 1, 2009) :: Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions

 

[LaceyUnderall]

Rooks -

Sherid's suggestion is a good one. IMHO, send them your information. Hahn has made her decision and will most likely not change her position. However, The Bluegrass Institute will be more likely to hear what you have to say.

Every eSmoker in KY should probably start writing letters to this group. Not only do they have the willingness to listen, but they have the ability (money) to get the eSmokers message out. http://www.bipps.org/

Here is a video from their website of which this is about: The freedom of choice for Americans ie Consumers.

YouTube - The Bluegrass Institute

EDIT for SheriD - Is there a group like this in California?