Power in numbers re: FDA deeming comments

[DrMA]

Dear CASAA,

There are now 39,252 comments posted on the FDA deeming docket website, but a search for the terms electronic cigarette, e-cigarette, e-cig, and ecig returns only 2503 results total. And many of those appear to be either ignorant endorsements, or ANTZ junk.

I understand CASAA's position for waiting may have served the purpose of securing an extension of the comment period. And we've gotten 30 days. I also know CASAA has requested an additional extension, but I don't see that happening. In the mean time, ANTZ have reorganized and have started to submit massive amounts of comments spewing their slurry in support of the regs. They're going for the win by overwhelming the docket with the sheer number of comments in support of the regs. In the mean time, it looks like most of the current comments are about cigars.

In light of these developments, I think it's time we revisit the "wait until last minute" strategy. Please join the discussion with your thoughts here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...omments-im-starting-worried.html#post13667861

 

[Marc411]

Done and I will get my wife to follow this evening.

 

[DC2]

Does CASAA have any "official" thoughts on this idea?

NOTE: Not asking the OP, asking CASAA
NOTE:

 

[JustJulie]

My apologies for not responding sooner to this thread. Life has been . . . busy.

Today, we issued our First Call to Prepare: .CASAA: First Call to Prepare for FDA Proposed Regulations - Prepare Draft Comment

We expect to issue the Second Call to Prepare early next week, which will provide guidance on further refining draft comments. The Fourth Call to Action (requesting consumers assemble their prepared thoughts and submit the comment to FDA) is expected to be issued towards the end of next week.

Our belief is that individualized, responsive, and intelligent comments by consumers will be far more persuasive than multiple comments that are simply copied and pasted. This isn't a vote or a popularity contest . . . it's a process designed to inform the FDA on the topic.

We appreciate that for many, the thought of reading the proposed regulations and all accompanying documents and then preparing a well thought-out comment in response is daunting (and that's a bit of an understatement). The whole basis for CASAA's Action Plan is to help people prepare thoughtful and responsive comments by giving them a road map (but not a form) and providing guidance on what information is likely to be most helpful and effective.

Yes, it'd be nice to see hundreds of thousands of comments from vapers . . . but given a choice between quantity and quality, I'd pick quality. Having said that, the guidance we're issuing is just that . . . guidance. People are, obviously, free to do as they wish. But we're hopeful that those who believe that the number of comments is of primary importance will still take the time to read CASAA's guidance and formulate a responsive, personalized comment that won't be dismissed out of hand by the FDA.

I'm going to copy this post into the thread linked in the OP.

 

[DC2]

Thanks Julie!

 

[nomore stinkies]

My three part comment has been written. Just let us know (via email blast) when and where to send them. I trust CASAA's judgment.
I do not want to miss any deadlines.
Once again thanks to CASAA for all their diligent work to protect our rights.

My apologies for not responding sooner to this thread. Life has been . . . busy.

Today, we issued our First Call to Prepare: .CASAA: First Call to Prepare for FDA Proposed Regulations - Prepare Draft Comment

We expect to issue the Second Call to Prepare early next week, which will provide guidance on further refining draft comments. The Fourth Call to Action (requesting consumers assemble their prepared thoughts and submit the comment to FDA) is expected to be issued towards the end of next week.

Our belief is that individualized, responsive, and intelligent comments by consumers will be far more persuasive than multiple comments that are simply copied and pasted. This isn't a vote or a popularity contest . . . it's a process designed to inform the FDA on the topic.

We appreciate that for many, the thought of reading the proposed regulations and all accompanying documents and then preparing a well thought-out comment in response is daunting (and that's a bit of an understatement). The whole basis for CASAA's Action Plan is to help people prepare thoughtful and responsive comments by giving them a road map (but not a form) and providing guidance on what information is likely to be most helpful and effective.

Yes, it'd be nice to see hundreds of thousands of comments from vapers . . . but given a choice between quantity and quality, I'd pick quality. Having said that, the guidance we're issuing is just that . . . guidance. People are, obviously, free to do as they wish. But we're hopeful that those who believe that the number of comments is of primary importance will still take the time to read CASAA's guidance and formulate a responsive, personalized comment that won't be dismissed out of hand by the FDA.

I'm going to copy this post into the thread linked in the OP.