Send letters to the White House!

[RandallFlagg]

Remember this fact?
Stearns has sent electronic cigarettes to House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) and President Obama to help them quit smoking. He’s been seen using the device in the Speaker’s Lobby, where Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) banned smoking two years ago. Her office did not respond to a request for comment by press time.
TheHill.com - Sen. Lautenberg wants to snuff out electronic cigarettes

Frakking hypocrites!
They get the chance to try quitting with ecigs, but DENY us peons the ability to do the same.

 

[Surf Monkey]

Frakking hypocrites!
They get the chance to try quitting with ecigs, but DENY us peons the ability to do the same.

This kind of reaction is unwarranted. You can still go buy an e-cigarette today. Nothing has changed yet, and there's a good chance that nothing much will change in the future. Let's not jump to conclusions until we know what the FDA proposes to do about this legislation and its enforcement. If you read the bill, there are some provisions in it that leave WIDE loopholes for devices like the e-cigarette to step right through.

Now is not the time to panic.

 

[happily]

even with a veto.......on a 79-17 vote they still have the power to override

 

[orlampagal]

I hate to be a "downer" but I don't think you can expect any help from him. He is the one that signed the latest cigarette tax into law (I was told by someone "what do you expect, he can afford the tax) and as also stated in one of the other threads, he is President, even if they ban the e-cig, he will still be able to get them. I don't think he will do anything to "rock the boat" with congress, particularly since it is his party that is pushing the legislation.

I swore after the debates and election I never wanted to see "maverick" again. I think Obama will do what is rational and logical... he is after all, in command of his intellect, unlike the other choice

 

[RandallFlagg]

This kind of reaction is unwarranted. You can still go buy an e-cigarette today. Nothing has changed yet, and there's a good chance that nothing much will change in the future. Let's not jump to conclusions until we know what the FDA proposes to do about this legislation and its enforcement. If you read the bill, there are some provisions in it that leave WIDE loopholes for devices like the e-cigarette to step right through.

Now is not the time to panic.

I'm not panicking. I'm just stating how I feel.
Ecigarettes are a threat to tax revenue.
I quit smoking overnight. 2 guys at my job quit overnight. All with ecigs.
SCHIP is supposed to be funded by tobacco taxes.
They're going to start taxing company issued cell phones next.
A $2.00 extra tax on every case of beer.

Government tells us that addiction to nicotine is dangerous.
I say that the government's addiction to taxation is disastarous.

Aren't THEY supposed to be working for US?

 

[Zaxx]

I swore after the debates and election I never wanted to see "maverick" again. I think Obama will do what is rational and logical... he is after all, in command of his intellect, unlike the other choice

Hold on to that "Hope", it may serve you later on down the road.

The fact of the matter is that our freedoms are being taken away, assaulted from both sides of the aisle. The e-cig is just the first loss to hit many people.

Sit back, and watch what they target next. It's gonna be a hell of a ride.

 

[happily]

Don't get me wrong I'm ......, but I am glad I learned years ago that the people have no say in this country. I am simply not that shocked.

speaking of what they'll target next.........Utah already attempted tanning bed tax

 

[katink]

My hope is that manufacturers will find a way to extract nicotine from other nightshade plants rather than tobacco (apparently, both potato and tomato plant leaves have high concentrations of nicotine, although not nearly so much as tobacco).

Egg-plant seems to be about the best nicotine-producer, outside of tobacco. Though I haven't seen any data on the nightshade weed - which doesn't seem to be prevalent in the US, but certainly is in parts of europe, would be REAL easy and insuspicious to get from those, if no other substances in them would be standing in the way (unknown).

 

[Mac]

Don't get me wrong I'm ......, but I am glad I learned years ago that the people have no say in this country. I am simply not that shocked.

speaking of what they'll target next.........Utah already attempted tanning bed tax

another "super member" ranting about the government

 

[Soulchef]

Katink,
Just grow tobacco at home. I don't know if the new bill changes the old laws, but each individual is (was?) able to grow up to 400 tobacco plants on their own land for their own personal use. I live in the south and just ordered some seeds from the net. Should have enough to start curring by late september to october if we don't have a freeze. I would stay away from nightshade though. Even if you think you know exactly what plan you may have, a subtle difference could mean your life...

"The foliage and unripe fruit of most nightshades contain dangerous levels of a steroid alkaloid, solanine. The ripe berries are the least toxic part of these plants but may be deadly under some circumstances. Solanine is also found in potato sprouts and the green spots of some potatoes. A toxic dose of any of these will usually result in severe digestive upset. This may be accompanied by trembling, weakness, difficulty in breathing, or paralysis. Potato sprouts should be removed before using the tubers for food. Potato vines, sprouts, and rotten potatoes should not be used as forage for livestock."

Nightshade

Just a concerned warning....

 

[TropicalBob]

Absolutely no one in an official capacity has said the e-cig is a tobacco product. In fact, IMO, that is a ridiculous stretch. The FDA, on the other hand, HAS said the e-cig is a medical device to deliver a drug. Now, that's where the trouble will come from.

And the FDA most assuredly regulates new drugs and medical devices. That's the reason they held up shipments from Smoking Everywhere and others. "Unapproved" and "misbranded" were the words used -- in connection to drugs. They don't need a Presidential signature to enforce their interpretation of existing drug statutes.

If the left jab didn't get ya, the right hook will ....

 

[katink]

No concern Soulchef, my post was about perhaps some factory or researcher looking into that... no way I would mess with these unknowns myself!

 

[RandallFlagg]

Well, it's done.
Mr. Obama said the legislation gives the government much greater power to regulate tobacco "truly defines change in Washington." The president spoke in the Rose Garden Friday and promised to sign the bill.
Congress Sends FDA Tobacco Bill to Obama - WSJ.com

Did anyone get any replies when you wrote him?

Remember him promising not to raise taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 a year.
Oh, WAIT!
SCHIP.

 

[dee5]

Well I wrote to him too and thought I would share. This was an email but I am printing it out and mailing it to the White House via snail mail tomorrow.

Dear Mr. President,

First of all I must tell you how thrilled I am that you are our President. Thank goodness someone with a brain is back at the helm! I am writing to urge you to protect my Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness by protecting my health and the health of my family. Like you, I began smoking in an era when it was much more accepted than it is today. Back then I could smoke anywhere without getting a second glance, now I am a second class citizen. It is a good thing that smoking is banned in public places; it is a disgusting addiction. But alas, I am addicted. I have tried to quit 6 times using every available method and have been unsucessful. Recently I have discovered an amazing device that has helped me cut down from a 1 1/2 pack a day habit to 6-8 cigarettes a day--the electronic cigarette.

It is the only method I have found that addresses all the different faces of my addiction: the nicotine of course, but also the hand to mouth action, the inhaling and feeling that "throat hit". What a relief to know that if I want to try to quit one more time I might actually be able to do it now. I already breathe easier and can sing again. I don't smell bad, I have more energy and am looking forward to a longer and healthier life. Please, please, please don't allow the FDA to cut off my supply of this life saving device while they determine if they are safe! The thousands of us who already use the electronic cigarette have already been the guinea pigs for them for years and can tell you how much of a miracle they are. Our doctors can tell you too!

If the FDA, the big pharmaceutical companies, the American Cancer Society and all the "Tobacco Free" groups REALLY care about my health they would be singing the praises of the electronic cigarette, Since they are not it causes me (and all the other users of personal vaporizers) to be suspicious of their real motives. I believe those organizations are only concerned for their pocketbooks, bottom line. You, Mr. President, I believe are smart enough and ethical enough to see through their "concern" and find the truth. Please learn more about electronic cigarettes, heck, you're a smoker-try one yourself! Even if after trying one you find it's not for you, understand that for thousands of others they are our miracle.

Please do not help condemn us to smoking cigarettes again! As you surely know, you cannot force a smoker to quit before they are ready, let us keep this safer alternative until we decide we can quit altogether! Thank you for your time.

 

[SCD]

Here's my letter. What can I say? I was sincerely hoping things would be better. Hopeful enough to think a Dem/Dem government would be any different from a Rep/Rep one. Hooo- boy! Have I been wrong!
Dear President Obama,
I found the electronic cigarette on the internet in March of 2009. After some preliminary research, I decided this was a product I could use. The first time I used an e-cigarette, my tobacco use was cut from 15 - 18 cigarettes to five. Breathing was easier, my hands and feet were warm again, what else could I think but: "this is great! I think I've finally found a way to quit smoking!" I continued to search the internet for information, pro and con about the e-cigarette when I came across H.R. 1256. I read the legislation.
To say I was disheartened by H.R. 1256 is an understatement. The bill makes no allowance for new harm reduction products and is grandfathered to February 2007. How convenient for Philip Morris. No wonder it's referred to as the "Marlboro Monopoly Act of 2009."
Please understand, I realize smokers have no legal recourse to defend themselves against excessive taxation, eviction from their apartment /nursing home, or denial of employment. I know it is our addiction that sends us outside to smoke without the provision of adequate shelter. But, I had hoped for more equitable and tolerant behavior from a DNC government. The ramifications of Tobacco Control Act are just as misguided & injurious as the 'abstinence only' policy of the previous administration with the same imposing level of moral certitude.
Nowadays, to take my mind off my government's determination to herd me back outside to the smoking area, I spend time looking at our atlas. I'm looking for a new place to live where I hope to be treated as a person, not a pariah.
Respectfully,
Susan Dickinson

 

[dee5]

Susan, that was beautifully said!

 

[RandallFlagg]

Nowadays, to take my mind off my government's determination to herd me back outside to the smoking area, I spend time looking at our atlas. I'm looking for a new place to live where I hope to be treated as a person, not a pariah.
Respectfully,
Susan Dickinson

EXCELLENT quote!

 

[SCD]

Thanks for the kind words. Now if I can learn to say it in Spanish... Costa Rica... hmmm... ; )

 

[mshelbz]

I wrote to my senators, congressmen, and president.

Technically the FDA is right in it's jurisdiction however I think it is contradictory when they claim it's to test the safety of the device when the alternative is a long known killer.

 

[DaBrat]

Here is my letter sent to President Obama as well as my Congressman and Senators:

Recent debate as to whether the electronic cigarette should be regulated
by the FDA as a drug has gotten my attention. As a 'career' smoker, I
have spent the past 25+ years chained to the death stick. My best success
came from using a similar product (Nicotrol) inhaler produced by Pfizer.

Unfortunately, being uninsured, the added cost of a medical visit plus the
outrageous cost of this particular device made it impossible to obtain
when I relapsed.

My point is this, the safety of the nicotine inhaler has been proved
(Nicotrol Inhaler), the only thing the classification of the device as a
drug has done has put it out of the reach of many, especially (hometown)
with the mean income being what it is. With this device not being covered
by health insurance it makes the prescription itself more than 200 dollars
for each Physician visit and prescription.

Please fight the ban on electronic cigarettes. The product is not marketed
as a cessation device, moreover, it does not deliver the 4000+ chemicals
found in tobacco cigarettes. Oversight is fine, however, putting it out
of reach of those who most need this device is like hammering the death
nail. Before I started using the electronic cigarette, I had shortness of
breath and all sorts of complications including frequent flairs of RA. I
can honestly say I have not felt healthier in years.

The tobacco company RJR even came out with their own brand of smokeless
cigarette years ago to complete failure. The only difference was that
their product not only produced smoke for the smoker but also introduced
things like glass fibers inhaled into the lungs from the filter, increased
carbon monoxide through the heating method, PLUS the 4000+ chemicals added
to tobacco cigarettes.

The idea that this would be a gateway of some sort for youth is
preposterous. My starter kit cost somewhere in the neighborhood of xx.xx
(thankfully maintenance is cheaper). It would be much more realistic to
believe that a 5.00/ pack cigarette would be more likely to introduce
these teens to the habit.

Please fight to save the lives of those of us who are trying. Please fight
against putting this product out of reach. Work with drug companies like
Pfizer to develop their products to simulate smoking in the way that
brands like Smoke51 and Blu Cigarette have done. Most of all UNDERSTAND
that if it were that easy to quit a habit with a recidivism rate higher
than that of ......, there would not be one smoker in the US and this
email would be moot.