I cant get onto the website to submit my testimony. Is anyone else having this problem?
Testimony needed to defeat 70% TAX on e-cigs in Hawaii (and eventually other states!)
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Taxation with representation is fine, without is unconstitutional. And my representative will be educated before this Bill sees a vote in the Senate ;-)
No. This is the kind of resignation to the "inevitable" that our enemies are counting on.
In a representative democracy, it's essential that the citizenry be engaged in the process of legislation. As kai kane mentions, taxation without representation is unconstitutional, and that simply will not do. Ignorance of the issues isn't a free pass for our representatives - it is absolutely our role to engage with our representatives to make our voices heard. Hell, it's our responsibility to do so. Voting is not enough.
As mentioned, "they" are counting on us to sit on our hands, and be grateful that eCigs aren't banned outright. I won't. I'm adding my voice to this because, as mentioned, if it passes in HI, it's just a matter of time before other states follow suit.
Anybody that feels otherwise is a part of the problem, period and end of sentence.
This is not a representative democracy, and clearly obvious. They are not counting on anyone to sit on their hands. It's a tobacco product where people inhale untested, wild west consumerables in a fashion that has a very negative stigma. The private sector has already put the final nails in the vaping coffin. We are considered smokers, and we are, but we are using a rationalization that the reduction in chemicals via vaping has to be better. And that is not proven, so the nanny, with big tobacco behind them, is going to get our tobacco product under the same thumb as the others. Be smart, because if it were subject to the popular vote, we're screwed, which translates to screwed period! Where is the analysis on our vapor that proves what that vapor is? Look up the defintion of smoke. Ever seen well used wicking? What's it look like? How did it get that way? What are you inhaling when your wicking is dry? Even when it's not your fault. What do your flavors consist of? How does it change when vaped? How does vaping really affect the body? They've banned alcohol inhlation products time and time again. What does that mean for juices with PGA in it? These are all things on the radar. Do you just want to vape like you did smoking? recklessly? What if the consequences are similar? Worse? These are the things on the minds of representatives. I know, I've talked to mine face to face. They have valid points, that, in my head, overwhelm the concerns of those of vapors, which are considered addicts in some circles, dependent in others. Since the harm from vaping or lack of is not understood, nor proven, imposibble to define. So, what do y'all think is really gonna happen? Best to plan ahead, while you can, at a deep discount compared to the future of vaping.
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thinking like that will allow them to just push the bill past and any other bill they want to pass as well. If we don't stand up and fight for what we believe in then they will do what they want with our rights and soon there will be no freedom left. The politicians are voted by us and are supposed to be our voice, if you don't stand up and tell them this bill is not what we the people want, then yes if they think it is a good idea they will support and pass the bills.
This is why we need to stand up and fight it. Tell them is is not what we want and we will not stand for things like this. Once this passes in one state all the other states will follow suit. We have the power to stop this here and now. Once they gte a foot hold though it will be much harder to stop them.
This is why we need to stand up and fight it. Tell them is is not what we want and we will not stand for things like this. Once this passes in one state all the other states will follow suit. We have the power to stop this here and now. Once they gte a foot hold though it will be much harder to stop them.
You've apparently missed the various successes we have had (collectively) across the country.
Standing up and being counted DOES work sometimes, and we have proven that time and again along this journey.
What doesn't work, without question, is failing to stand up and be counted.
Because when we fail to stand up and be counted, we are guaranteed to become nothing more than roadkill.
How is a USB cable or USB wall charger a tobacco product? How can they Tax anything associated with ecigs as a tobacco product? How about 0mg juice? there is no tobacco or anything about tobacco in any them.
When you were a smoker where you charged outrageous taxes on your lighters and matches? How about your ashtray? Cig case? Rolling papers? Nope so how can they rationalize taxing EVERYTHING when 90% of the product has no tobacco or anything in it derived from tobacco?
Go back and read. The tax and regulations won't reach to things like batteries, storage bottles, switches, wire, tubing, PG, VG, flavorings, and on and on. You're all blind. Successes, where? The supreme court ruling that said just regulate it? Insurance companies classifying you as a smoker? Wake up. There's a thread here of someone asking if there are laws to selling. There are, including formal licensing. Open your eyes. Accept the fact that it will be taxed, that it will be put on a level playing field with patches, Rx inhalers, etc. That we will eventually have regulations in place to determine safety via testing, quality control (what did some of that juice test at from BE? 272 mg/ml?). Yeah, your letters mean a lot.
If you feel that way, why are you in here griping at us about it? Don't want to post an opinion? Then don't.
By the way; there is a ton of research on the effects of inhaling nicotine and PG. Go read it for yourself.
I've done what I consider to be the right thing, and I'm not going argue about it.
Have a nice day.
By the way; there is a ton of research on the effects of inhaling nicotine and PG. Go read it for yourself.
I've done what I consider to be the right thing, and I'm not going argue about it.
Have a nice day.
Also, we need to point out that the loss in tax revenue from people quitting cigarettes can eventually be made up for in savings from the health care industry by legislating lower health care costs because of the decrease in smoking related illnesses and insurance cost associated with them. If we all quit smoking, thats 400,000 more people who will still be alive each year to pay taxes on other goods and services and from their job earnings.
First, it was a Court of Appeals ruling.
Second, tobacco retailers licenses are not necessary for e-cigarette sales in many, if not most, areas across the country.
Third, patches, RX inhalers, etc. are not taxed.
Fourth, please send me your phone number so I can call you personally to deliver the news when this bill is amended to our liking.
You want a list?
Prove to me that if I take the time and effort to give you a list that it will matter one bit to you.
Because clearly, your mind is made up and evidence to the contrary is not anything that will interest you.
I may take the time to gather up a list of successes, of which there have been many.
But if I do it won't be for your benefit, but for others reading this.
Suffice to say that the list of successes is longer than the list of failures.
And to try and convince anyone otherwise does an injustice to each and every one of us.
In fact, to be honest, it is somewhat offensive.
Speak for yourself. I haven't been a smoker for over two years thanks to vaping. Just because it looks like smoking doesn't mean that it IS smoking. If using nicotine is the standard of measure, that means that anyone who stops smoking by using the patch or gum is a smoker - and we know that's not true.
@pyro13g
1) How many years did you smoke?
2) Had you begun to sere any health effects from long-term smoking?
3) How long has it been since you smoked a real cigarette?
4) Have you noticed any change in your smoking-related health conditions (if any)?
In my case, the answers are
1) 45 years
2) Yes, wheezing kept me awake at night; "productive" morning cough; unable to laugh without going into a coughing jag.
3) March 27, 2009
4) Everything in item #2 resolved within a few months after I stopped inhaling smoke, despite the fact that I was inhaling vapor.
If you think that I am only one case and that proves nothing, go read the Success Stories section in the General forum. Read some of the personal stories that people are telling when they talk with or write to their legislators.
You would have to come up with some mighty strong evidence to convince me that if I had continued to smoke for the past three years all of the conditions in #2 would have magically resolved themselves.
I'm not claiming that vaping brings good health. I'm claiming that many, many, many smokers have found that vaping allows them to stop inhaling smoke and are experiencing improved health as a result of no longer smoking. I'm not just relying on ECF for this conclusion. The first survey of consumers (N=303) found that 90% were reporting improved health. Bullen & Etter surveyed over 3,000 e-cigarette users, of which 77% were able to stop inhaling smoke.
Those who only smoked for a few years or even those who smoked for many years but were lucky enough to have suffered no ill effects might not believe it.
1) How many years did you smoke?
2) Had you begun to sere any health effects from long-term smoking?
3) How long has it been since you smoked a real cigarette?
4) Have you noticed any change in your smoking-related health conditions (if any)?
In my case, the answers are
1) 45 years
2) Yes, wheezing kept me awake at night; "productive" morning cough; unable to laugh without going into a coughing jag.
3) March 27, 2009
4) Everything in item #2 resolved within a few months after I stopped inhaling smoke, despite the fact that I was inhaling vapor.
If you think that I am only one case and that proves nothing, go read the Success Stories section in the General forum. Read some of the personal stories that people are telling when they talk with or write to their legislators.
You would have to come up with some mighty strong evidence to convince me that if I had continued to smoke for the past three years all of the conditions in #2 would have magically resolved themselves.
I'm not claiming that vaping brings good health. I'm claiming that many, many, many smokers have found that vaping allows them to stop inhaling smoke and are experiencing improved health as a result of no longer smoking. I'm not just relying on ECF for this conclusion. The first survey of consumers (N=303) found that 90% were reporting improved health. Bullen & Etter surveyed over 3,000 e-cigarette users, of which 77% were able to stop inhaling smoke.
Those who only smoked for a few years or even those who smoked for many years but were lucky enough to have suffered no ill effects might not believe it.
All of the staff from the Volcano offices and anyone not need to work at a store or kiosk will be there at the hearing on Weds. Pleas ewe are bring every person we can with us. This place is gonna get packed out.
Mooreted,
I hope you don't mind, but I was so impressed with your rebuttal, I resent it along with my story of why I started vaping.
Good Luck to the Hawaiian vaping community!
HAOLE OUT!
I hope you don't mind, but I was so impressed with your rebuttal, I resent it along with my story of why I started vaping.
Good Luck to the Hawaiian vaping community!
HAOLE OUT!
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