US Senate Appropriations Cmte approves bill urging FDA to issue "deeming" regulation for unregulated tobacco products, including e-cigarettes

[DC2]

Telephone: 240-276-8853

If you call this number and ask about tobacco Harm Reduction they transfer you to Public Affairs.

If you talk to Public Affairs they tell you to read the recent Surgeon General's report about tobacco use on their website...
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/preventing-youth-tobacco-use/full-report.pdf

When I click the link on their website I can not get the entire PDF to load in either Internet Explorer or Chrome.
But I am told by Public Affairs that there is a section of the report that discusses other tobacco products such as "smokeless" and "spitless".

 

[DaveP]

I can't help but think that Lorrillard's purchase of Blu wasn't without prior research. I further believe that they have tendrils throughout the government that give them information about the future of ecigs. Spending that kind of money to destroy a large competitor would be senseless if the government planned to do that for them.

I think ecigs are here to stay, albeit with new taxes on juice and other consumables. Still, it's the local lawmakers who need education before they impose bans on ecig sales and use. I think big tobacco sees the product of the future and is moving in. This could both help and hurt.

 

[zoiDman]

If I remember correctly, someone did write the SG a couple of years ago and the reply they received was basically a quote of the FDA statement about carcinogens and antifreeze.

I'm just not holding too much hope for this SG. If she cannot even acknowledge scientifically-proven THR facts about smoke-free tobacco and basically lies about nicotine, she won't see continued addiction to e-cigarettes as any sort of compromise. It seems to be "quit or die" for her. Doesn't mean we wouldn't continue to fill her in on the scientific evidence of e-cigarettes as it comes available, but I don't hold high hopes for changing her mind. She's apparently an ANTZ and no amount of reasoning or science gets through their zealotry. Unfortunately, I foresee having to work around her and over her rather than ever getting her on our side.

Well, it doesn't sound like CASAA wants to deal with the SG Office.

 

[sanjosse]

Based on her ANTZ rhetoric regarding tobacco and nicotine, I can safely guess that e-cigarettes and THR are not something welcomed by the current SG.

@zoiDman and Kristin, re: Meeting the SG

She does have a "Meeting Request" form;

Requests to Meet with the Surgeon General
Please use the following form to request a meeting with the Surgeon General: Meeting Request Form (DOC) (42KB).

 

[kristin]

Well, it doesn't sound like CASAA wants to deal with the SG Office.

Not what I said at all.

 

[zoiDman]

Not what I said at all.

Sorry, I must have mis-understood what you meant.

 

[DC2]

The Public Affairs office for the Surgeon General is tracking down information on their opinion regarding switching from smoking to using lower harm tobacco alternatives, and more specifically, switching to using dissolvables. I asked about dissolvables because I didn't want to get back an answer telling me nobody knows what is in electronic cigarettes and therefore the Surgeon General can not recommend or support their use.

 

[zoiDman]

The Public Affairs office for the Surgeon General is tracking down information on their opinion regarding switching from smoking to using lower harm tobacco alternatives, and more specifically, switching to using dissolvables. I asked about dissolvables because I didn't want to get back an answer telling me nobody knows what is in electronic cigarettes and therefore the Surgeon General can not recommend or support their use.

The Angle I would be Pursuing is to get someone, like the US Surgeon or any Health Offical, to make a statement that using an e-Cigarette containing USPS VG, PG and Pure Nicotine does Not pose and Greater risk than Smoking Analogs. The Best Case scenario would be to get Someone to state that e-Cigarettes using USPS PG, VG and Pure Nicotine pose Less.

Then when the Regulation comes. The fight becomes more of a Taxation issue over Nicotine Base. And ALL Flavored e-Liquids become DIY.

Would have to give up on Retail Flavored e-Liquids but they are going to go anyway.

No One is going to Buy Off on Flavored e-Liquids because as you mentioned, there is no way to say what is in e-Liquids Flavoring, Sweetener and Colorant wise.

 

[Luisa]

For more information about the "deeming" regulation, I urge folks to read
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...e-products-eliminate-many-most-companies.html

Please,everyone, keep this post going. NOW is the time to lobby the Republican Senators who voted for this. I will keep bumping this post.

 

[rothenbj]

The Public Affairs office for the Surgeon General is tracking down information on their opinion regarding switching from smoking to using lower harm tobacco alternatives, and more specifically, switching to using dissolvables. I asked about dissolvables because I didn't want to get back an answer telling me nobody knows what is in electronic cigarettes and therefore the Surgeon General can not recommend or support their use.

What that means is they'll ask Stan Glantz for an official stance, since he apparently has his hand in the back of the SG when her mouth moves.

 

[TigerLadyTX]

Tho none of my representatives are involved in this committee, I have made my thoughts, as well as my own personal success story using e-cigs known to them via fax and snail mail. While I rather doubt Kay Bailey- Hutchison will listen to me, or even care what I have to say - I do think that Hensarling and Coryn will listen. At least I hope that they will.

And I know that Joe Driver in the Texas house will, so I wrote him, too. I have known him for 25 years and I used to work for him

~Tiger

 

[Luisa]

Tho none of my representatives are involved in this committee, I have made my thoughts, as well as my own personal success story using e-cigs known to them via fax and snail mail. While I rather doubt Kay Bailey- Hutchison will listen to me, or even care what I have to say - I do think that Hensarling and Coryn will listen. At least I hope that they will.

And I know that Joe Driver in the Texas house will, so I wrote him, too. I have known him for 25 years and I used to work for him

~Tiger

Good! I am going to keep bumping this thread until we can get those from Tennesse,South Carolina ,and Kentucky to lobby their Senators--Mitch McConnell, Lamar Alexander,and Lindsey Graham. No,we do not have the money to hire a Washington lobby firm,but most vapors do not realize the power in numbers. The more vapors in each State that visit with their Senators and Representatives" offices,the more attention will be paid to us. They do pay attention to the numbers concerned about any issue. Going to their office,and writing letters explaining our opinions on issues is effective. We just need to have many people supporting these efforts--not just a few. Help is needed!

 

[TennDave]

Hey Luisa,
I'm from TN and would love to lobby Alexander.
My main problem is, I'm not sure what to write him or if I get to meet with him, what I need to take him.
I can tell him about my own experience, but I know I need more.
If someone can PM me a sample letter and link me to some research specific to what's going on, I'd appreciate it.
I know I can go and search but it's crunch time at work and I have very little time right now to do much of anything.

 

[Luisa]

Hey Luisa,
I'm from TN and would love to lobby Alexander.
My main problem is, I'm not sure what to write him or if I get to meet with him, what I need to take him.
I can tell him about my own experience, but I know I need more.
If someone can PM me a sample letter and link me to some research specific to what's going on, I'd appreciate it.
I know I can go and search but it's crunch time at work and I have very little time right now to do much of anything.

Hey,TennDave! The best resource person will be Volcalek. Just PM her. If I could I would send Bill Godshalls posts on this subject to you. You probably would visit with a staffer at his office,but if enough people expressed their opinion I can assure you he will get the message. I am wondering if Lamar Alexander and Lindsey Graham were influenced by Sebelious(sp) since both of them also serve on the HHS committee as does Mary Landrieu. Mitch Mcconnell?--maybe he was trading votes on another issue with some of the Dems! I wish more folks from Tenn. would step up to the plate as you always do.

I do not mean to be evasive on giving you help,but I just think Volkalek does a much better job than I am able to do and I would like for you to be prepared properly if you are willing to help.

 

[Luisa]

Tho none of my representatives are involved in this committee, I have made my thoughts, as well as my own personal success story using e-cigs known to them via fax and snail mail. While I rather doubt Kay Bailey- Hutchison will listen to me, or even care what I have to say - I do think that Hensarling and Coryn will listen. At least I hope that they will.

And I know that Joe Driver in the Texas house will, so I wrote him, too. I have known him for 25 years and I used to work for him

~Tiger

It might be best not to contact Mr. Driver. He has had some severe legal issues which would make him ineffective in the Legislature and might even cause harm to our mission.

 

[DC2]

Unless I am mistaken, CASAA can provide a packet of information for legislators.
That should have everything you need.

 

[Luisa]

Unless I am mistaken, CASAA can provide a packet of information for legislators.
That should have everything you need.

You are correct,but this issue is so new that I don"t believe our packet covers this.

 

[Luisa]

You are correct,but this issue is so new that I don"t believe our packet covers this.

Bump,Bump,Bump

 

[TennDave]

Thanks Luisa- I got your PM- I'm awaiting Bill's info I can plug myself into to send.
Send as a letter, email, how and where? Or is Bill gonna supply that info as well?

 

[Luisa]

I will let you know when it is posted if you have not seen it first. If you live near one of Alexanders" district offices.it is effective to visit with his staffer. Surely there are more people in Tennessee that will help!