UPDATE: US Senate Panel Approves FDA Tobacco-Regulation Measure

[Smokin'Sandy]

Doesn't look too good.

"WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- A bill giving the Food and Drug Administration power to regulate tobacco products won approval from a key U.S. Senate panel Wednesday, clearing the way for a full Senate vote.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved the bill by a 15-8 vote. According to Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., who shepherded the bill through the committee, the Senate could take up the legislation as soon as the first week of June."

UPDATE: US Senate Panel Approves FDA Tobacco-Regulation Measure

 

[planetofthevapes]

I hope they realize that just because they are taking away a favorite flavor doesn't mean that kids won't smoke and it doesn't mean that a person that LOVES that flavor will stop smoking. Heck, I don't know one person who didn't just love one brand, but smoked the cheap stuff instead at times...people who smoke, will continue to smoke. Children will continue to try. There is nothing that can be done about that except trying more preventative measures. In the first meeting they did agree that teen smoking was down by almost 60% or so since advertising had been changed and groups to stop kids from smoking were started. But it just goes to show that we must all be children and the FDA is our mommy and daddy.

 

[ShadowDemon420]

Great this is just out right a shame!

 

[Vicks Vap-oh-Yeah]

Realistically, the ONLY way they will prevent ANY child from starting on tobacco is to remove tobacco from the market....permanantly.

Now, we know THAT will never happen - so they have to come up with these half-asd measures that make them APPEAR to try to correct the problem. Symbolism over substance, IMO - which is the biggest problem with our government - and the sheeple who continue to fall for the glam - today.

 

[Smokin'Sandy]

I hope they realize that just because they are taking away a favorite flavor doesn't mean that kids won't smoke and it doesn't mean that a person that LOVES that flavor will stop smoking. Heck, I don't know one person who didn't just love one brand, but smoked the cheap stuff instead at times...people who smoke, will continue to smoke. Children will continue to try. There is nothing that can be done about that except trying more preventative measures. In the first meeting they did agree that teen smoking was down by almost 200% or so since advertising had been changed and groups to stop kids from smoking were started. But it just goes to show that we must all be children and the FDA is our mommy and daddy.

I couldn't agree more vapes. When I started, it was with my brother's Winstons. Talk about a nasty flavor! I think there was some lemon flavor that I smoked a couple of times when I was 12 or so, but then smoked regular and menthol cigarettes after that for the next 35 years.

I will still say that if there is an alternative to those kids that are willing to use tobaco, I think they may pick what is safer for them especially now that all the harms of smoking are so well publicized. If there was an electronic cigarette available, I would hope they would chose that over a pack of smokes. I certainly hope my daughter will (if she chooses to inhale nicotine) whether it's banned or not. I'll find a way...

 

[Malicedoll]

wow.. i started with my mom's methol Now's.. lol.. i remember taking them down to the corner store and exchanging them for Marlboro's at like 13-14.. when she "ran out".. she used to send us down to the corner store because they "were the only local store that had her brand"... not sure if she ever knew why they carried her brand.. lol

kids will always try to smoke.. at least i think so anyway

 

[Smokin'Sandy]

I just hope it's still not too late. Yes, it passed the HELP commitee, but not the senate. What else can we do to get through to those senate members that don't even recognize the harm it will have on tobacco reduction items such as the PV? Can we go slap some sense into them? Please?

Actually, I'm really suprised that the vote was so close, 15 - 8. Four more votes against, and it would have failed.

 

[planetofthevapes]

Here's what I think, I don't think a child will go out and buy an e-cig...it's too expensive. Steal parts from mommy and daddy, maybe...but will not purchase their own, especially considering the upkeep. Now, if the child was previously addicted to nicotine, and was scared of getting caught because of the smell of cigarettes, maybe...if the child could afford it, which I highly doubt...plus they come in the mail, and mommy and daddy will be wondering what the child ordered...right?

Then their debating the orbs and everything. Honestly, I can see that they may be scared of kids using it as candy, overdosing, using it in class to get over the no smoking rules that "those mean teachers" enforce (that was meant as a joke of course). But yet I tend to wonder, will a child really think that it is "cool" to suck on a piece of candy? I mean, they could be like, well, how does everybody know that mine isn't a cough drop, they'll believe it's nicotine "candy" if I tell them it is. I don't know, I can understand that concern to an extent.

However, what the FDA needs to realize is this all falls in the responsibility of the parents. My parents heard that I smoked and they searched my room for a pack of cigarettes, but didn't tell me until months later about it, they never confronted me. They didn't find a pack because I had loose cigarettes in an Altoids tin...seriously...what parent doesn't check for just plain cigarettes outside of a box right? My husbands stepfather actually bought them for him...along with alcohol. Figured that if he's gonna do it, he might as well have it made easier to get it for him. COME ON! It's not the fault of the cigarette companies, it's peer pressure and an overall deterioration in the time that parents spend with their kids making sure they are not getting into trouble!

 

[planetofthevapes]

I just hope it's still not too late. Yes, it passed the HELP commitee, but not the senate. What else can we do to get through to those senate members that don't even recognize the harm it will have on tobacco reduction items such as the PV? Can we go slap some sense into them? Please?

Actually, I'm really suprised that the vote was so close, 15 - 8. Four more votes against, and it would have failed.

Sorry, I don't know much about politics as I do not follow them unless they pertain directly to me...and then I don't understand them because I don't know the ins and outs of all of it.... Just to make sure, it hasn't actually passed the senate completely? It was just agreed that it would be decided upon? Help me understand how this works from here!

 

[Ivisi]

I've sent letters on this today to both of the Senators from Florida. I suggest each one of you do the same, each senator should have a webform for submitting comments about upcoming legislation. Subject should be "S. 982 - FDA Tobacco Bill", so that they understand what legislation you are commenting about.

Find your senators here, and filter the list based on your state by using the dropdown list at the top of the list.

Ivisi

 

[Smokin'Sandy]

Here's what I think, I don't think a child will go out and buy an e-cig...it's too expensive. Steal parts from mommy and daddy, maybe...but will not purchase their own, especially considering the upkeep. Now, if the child was previously addicted to nicotine, and was scared of getting caught because of the smell of cigarettes, maybe...if the child could afford it, which I highly doubt...plus they come in the mail, and mommy and daddy will be wondering what the child ordered...right?

Then their debating the orbs and everything. Honestly, I can see that they may be scared of kids using it as candy, overdosing, using it in class to get over the no smoking rules that "those mean teachers" enforce (that was meant as a joke of course). But yet I tend to wonder, will a child really think that it is "cool" to suck on a piece of candy? I mean, they could be like, well, how does everybody know that mine isn't a cough drop, they'll believe it's nicotine "candy" if I tell them it is. I don't know, I can understand that concern to an extent.

However, what the FDA needs to realize is this all falls in the responsibility of the parents. My parents heard that I smoked and they searched my room for a pack of cigarettes, but didn't tell me until months later about it, they never confronted me. They didn't find a pack because I had loose cigarettes in an Altoids tin...seriously...what parent doesn't check for just plain cigarettes outside of a box right? My husbands stepfather actually bought them for him...along with alcohol. Figured that if he's gonna do it, he might as well have it made easier to get it for him. COME ON! It's not the fault of the cigarette companies, it's peer pressure and an overall deterioration in the time that parents spend with their kids making sure they are not getting into trouble!

I agree...mostly. I can't blame the parents. My mother tried to get all three of us kids to stop. She would destroy any cigarettes she found. I never brought mine in the house for her to destroy. They were left outside. Kids are going to do it regardless of what the parents do. My mother eventually gave up. She couldn't stop my older sister and brother and she couldn't stop me. She actually started smoking herself when I was 14. She said if I can't stop you and you are going to do it anyway, then so am I. My mom passed away with, more than likely, smoking related heart failure.

I do agree that the e-cigs are expensive, but I will buy them for my daugter if I ever catch her smoking or smell any smoke on her. She won't have to worry about paying for them.

 

[Ivisi]

Sorry, I don't know much about politics as I do not follow them unless they pertain directly to me...and then I don't understand them because I don't know the ins and outs of all of it.... Just to make sure, it hasn't actually passed the senate completely? It was just agreed that it would be decided upon? Help me understand how this works from here!

Basically, the committee is tasked with determining if a proposed bill warrents discussion, debate, and voting by the full Senate. This committee discussed the FDA Tobacco Bill (S. 982) and voted 15-8 to allow it to move to the full Senate for consideration and a full vote.

Ivisi

 

[OutWest]

Basically, the committee is tasked with determining if a proposed bill warrents discussion, debate, and voting by the full Senate. This committee discussed the FDA Tobacco Bill (S. 982) and voted 15-8 to allow it to move to the full Senate for consideration and a full vote.

Ivisi

and, if a senator places a hold on the bill, it might never reach the floor for a vote.

The purpose of a senatorial hold is so that the senator can make it wait until s/he has had the opportunity to speak with his/her constituents to see how the feel about the bill. However, because the hold prevents it from being voted on until the hold is lifted, it can be used (by the senator never lifting the hold) to prevent a bill from ever reaching the floor for a vote.

If we can get just one senator out there to place an indefinite hold on the bill, we might be able to win this round.

edit to add - a hold doesnt guarantee it wont reach the floor, because they have ways around such manuevers, such as by rolling the bill into another bill that they believe will pass. Can read more about holds here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_hold

 

[brandeeashlynn]

So is there a hold on this then?

 

[Smokin'Sandy]

I've sent letters on this today to both of the Senators from Florida. I suggest each one of you do the same, each senator should have a webform for submitting comments about upcoming legislation. Subject should be "S. 982 - FDA Tobacco Bill", so that they understand what legislation you are commenting about.

Find your senators here, and filter the list based on your state by using the dropdown list at the top of the list.

Ivisi

Thanks Ivisi. I sent letters to both of Oklahoma's senators and the president. I only heard back from one and that was an automated response that says mail is delayed blah, blah.

I've read a few articles now on this and not once have I seen one reporter mention what this will do to the e-cig or any other alternative items. I'm sure there are many e-cig users that will be rudely awakened if this passes not to mention the members of the senate that don't understand what they're voting on. Protect the kids! Okay! What? It banned those products? Where did it say that?

 

[LaceyUnderall]

and, if a senator places a hold on the bill, it will never reach the floor for a vote.

The purpose of a senatorial hold is so that the senator can make it wait until s/he has had the opportunity to speak with his/her constituents to see how the feel about the bill. However, because the hold prevents it from being voted on until the hold is lifted, it can be used (by the senator never lifting the hold) to prevent a bill from ever reaching the floor for a vote.

If we can get just one senator out there to place an indefinite hold on the bill, we can win this round.

AND... please correct me if I am wrong... but as this is technically a "new" bill, doesn't it go back to the House?

 

[OutWest]

So is there a hold on this then?

not as of yet, no.

 

[OutWest]

AND... please correct me if I am wrong... but as this is technically a "new" bill, doesn't it go back to the House?

I was wondering the same thing and I'm not sure. I'm also not sure what, if any, amendments were added. I've tried to watch the online video, but keep losing connection. I know the burr amendment failed and Coburn's inclusion of marijuana amendment failed, but not sure which, if any passed.

Also, I edited my post about holds - pointing out that a hold doesnt guarantee it wont reach the floor, because they can then roll the bill into another bill to get around the hold. And, included a wiki link.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

I was wondering the same thing and I'm not sure. I'm also not sure what, if any, amendments were added. I've tried to watch the online video, but keep losing connection. I know the burr amendment failed and Coburn's inclusion of marijuana amendment failed, but not sure which, if any passed.

Also, I edited my post about holds - pointing out that a hold doesnt guarantee it wont reach the floor, because they can then roll the bill into another bill to get around the hold. And, included a wiki link.

I have a couple of calls/emails out there and am waiting on responses to see what others think and which amendments for sure made it (if any). I tried to listen to the whole thing... but even weeding through what I heard was brutal.

Are you thinking maybe of a filibuster?

Everyone should take pause on the freaking out until we find out if any amendments made it and if so, how do those affect the ecig if at all.

I do strongly suggest that the letters keep rolling in to your Senate members... continue clogging their inboxes and phone lines with your personal stories. It surely can't hurt to get "the voters" questioning where the ecig falls within the bill.

 

[LaceyUnderall]

And Outtie - Your hold idea would have to come through someone like Hagan...

Democrat, North Carolina, Didn't vote for the bill... She could definitely go forward with a hold. Now, this is her first term so we will see if she has the cojones to do something like this... and if she does... wow... what a woman.

(i say this after her brutal race to get her seat and defend herself quite well against E. Dole)