Utah legislation
- Thread starter Bill Godshall
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May I ask where you get this information from? I see you are from SLC so hopefully you have this on really good source! If they really do, I'm going to be totally gobsmacked since these do contain nic and that is part of what they are against with their beliefs.
Nope. Source comes from me. Church leaders such as Bishop and Mission Presidents is who I and family members have talked to. They are against tobacco products. This isnt one a tobacco product. Church officials look at as a good way to quit.
Now that we have their emails. What should the email to them include? A breif summary of what to include would be helpful.
Now that we have their emails. What should the email to them include? A breif summary of what to include would be helpful.
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- Bill designaton and title: H.B. 170 TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCT AMENDMENTS sponsored by Paul Ray.
- The action you want: Vote NO
- Why: If enacted, it would become diffiicult, if not impossible, for adults who rely on e-cigarettes to remain abstinent from smoking to purchase the products.
- Personal Story: Provide some details about how long you smoked, methods you tried, and what effect using an e-cigarette has had on your smoking.
[*]If you use non-tobacco flavored liquid, be sure to mention it.
[*]If switching to pleasant flavor has extinguished your taste for the flavor of tobacco smoke, mention that.
[*]If you no longer have cravings to smoke a real cigarette, mention that. - Repeat the action you want: Please Vote NO on H.B. 170
Well, that wouldn't surprise me overly much . . . it would be akin to how many members of the LDS faith have no problem drinking soda with caffeine because the prohibition is specifically against "hot drinks," which as I understand it has been interpreted to mean coffee and tea.
But it also wouldn't surprise me if some LDS members would have concerns about e-cigarettes. The prohibition as I understand it involves "tobacco," but just as some LDS members avoid caffeinated sodas (even though not specifically a no-no under church teachings), some will likewise feel that e-cigarettes are problematic because they contain nicotine.
As for the talking points, the legislation seeks to eliminate flavors, e-cigarettes without on/off switches, and sales other than face-to-face sales.
I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking form letters aren't particularly useful . . . rather, individualized letters are probably more powerful, and I think the Utah folks seem pretty motivated to tell their stories.
Possible talking points--
1. Tell your story about how you have SWITCHED to electronic cigarettes and use them as an alternative to smoking. Mention how you've reduced/eliminated smoking from your life.
2. Talk about one of the reasons why e-cigarettes are such an effective alternative to smoking for you is because of the flavors. The ability to continue to distance yourself from the taste and aroma of burning tobacco is a good thing.
The way the proposed bill is written, however, flavors would be eliminated completely. Unfortunately, it reflects a lack of understanding of the product because even "tobacco" is a flavor, so, in effect, Utah is saying that you can use a totally unflavored (i.e., tasteless) solution in your electronic cigarettes--no enjoyment. (See also #3 below.)3. Talk about how there is absolutely no evidence that e-cigarettes are particularly attractive to minors, and you feel that it is hypocritical that flavors are allowed for alcohol but not for e-cigarettes, both of which are adult products. The solution is not to take choices away from adults, but take them away from children--prohibit sales to minors and enforce those laws.
4. Sales via the mail should be permitted because (1) requiring only face-to-face sales is burdensome, especially in a state where many people have to travel a substantial distance to reach a densely populated urban center (I think that's right, but Utah folks will know that better); (2) it will be expensive and difficult to enforce, which is problematic at a time when so many states are struggling with fiscal issues; (3) there is no evidence that minors are obtaining e-cigarettes from the mails/internet in any significant numbers--you need a credit card; (4) less restrictive alternatives are possible, such as, for example, requiring vendors mailing to Utah residents to require an adult signature at the time of delivery for the first delivery, thereby "vetting" the home.
5. The requirement that e-cigarettes without a switch be banned doesn't make any sense and reflects a lack of understanding of the product.
Just some random thoughts off the top of my head. I think it would be great if others added their ideas as well.
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They only contain nicotine when you want them to. I know a few who only vape 0 nic now after weaning themselves off.
Thanks Son et....already knew that, but who's going to listen to me. I'm partial you know
As far as the Mormon church goes--I think it depends on who you talk to. Some of the members stick more with the letter of the law and some go with the literal meaning.
An example: I was raised in a Mormon family and we weren't allowed to have ANY caffeine. My mother was a stickler for that kind of thing. Although many of my friends who were Mormon would drink cola.
Which is the reason that I don't vape around my Mormon family members. I figure why even get into it with them.
That being said, this morning I sent an email to my rep, based on Julie and Vocalek's suggestions. He gives his personal email address out so he already replied today. I was impressed with the quick response, although the reply didn't address any of the points of my email, and in fact made me laugh. (I would copy it here but I'm not sure what the protocols are for publishing private email info.) Basically he thanked me for writing to him and wished me well in kicking my habit. Oh, and there were three blatant spelling errors in his two sentences.
I hope that I made something of a difference, but who knows.
An example: I was raised in a Mormon family and we weren't allowed to have ANY caffeine. My mother was a stickler for that kind of thing. Although many of my friends who were Mormon would drink cola.
Which is the reason that I don't vape around my Mormon family members. I figure why even get into it with them.
That being said, this morning I sent an email to my rep, based on Julie and Vocalek's suggestions. He gives his personal email address out so he already replied today. I was impressed with the quick response, although the reply didn't address any of the points of my email, and in fact made me laugh. (I would copy it here but I'm not sure what the protocols are for publishing private email info.) Basically he thanked me for writing to him and wished me well in kicking my habit. Oh, and there were three blatant spelling errors in his two sentences.
I hope that I made something of a difference, but who knows.
As far as the Mormon church goes--I think it depends on who you talk to. Some of the members stick more with the letter of the law and some go with the literal meaning.
An example: I was raised in a Mormon family and we weren't allowed to have ANY caffeine. My mother was a stickler for that kind of thing. Although many of my friends who were Mormon would drink cola.
Which is the reason that I don't vape around my Mormon family members. I figure why even get into it with them.
That being said, this morning I sent an email to my rep, based on Julie and Vocalek's suggestions. He gives his personal email address out so he already replied today. I was impressed with the quick response, although the reply didn't address any of the points of my email, and in fact made me laugh. (I would copy it here but I'm not sure what the protocols are for publishing private email info.) Basically he thanked me for writing to him and wished me well in kicking my habit. Oh, and there were three blatant spelling errors in his two sentences.
I hope that I made something of a difference, but who knows.
Is he on the Business and Labor Committee?
Regardless, I'd definitely recommend pressing him a little bit, and asking for the opportunity to meet with him if you have the time.
Oops, I realized that the rep I emailed wasn't MY rep... I saw him on the Business and Labor Committee list and that we are in the same suburb--but in double checking I found that there are two reps for our little city, and my rep is not on the B&LC list.
I feel kind of ignorant; I have never been involved in any kind of political anything so I'm kind of lost when it comes to this stuff. Is it a big faux pas to contact a rep who's not my rep?
I feel kind of ignorant; I have never been involved in any kind of political anything so I'm kind of lost when it comes to this stuff. Is it a big faux pas to contact a rep who's not my rep?
No, not at all -- every little bit helps. But legislators will give more care and thought to correspondence from people from their own district, as they live and die on the 10% of the population that actually votes them into office.
If you know someone in that suburb, definitely speak to them about this issue, and how important it is to you and Utah's public health.
Don't sweat it Jacinda, I actually emailed everyone on the list. The way I see it is the more support we get the better. If these people ONLY back the constituents in their home district then they have no business in our government.
This is really good information. I must step back and apologize to at least some in the faith for my over generalization! I am quite happy to be in the position to apologize
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Cool beans. I just did the same, sent emails to everyone on the list. I really hope that it makes some impact!
This is really good information. I must step back and apologize to at least some in the faith for my over generalization! I am quite happy to be in the position to apologize
No worries.
Just to add a bit of publicity to this, I emailed Governor Herbert and Mayor Carroon.
I also would like to email the local TV stations but for some reason am having a difficult time locating email addresses for any of them. Seems everyone is using online forms now which I guess will just take a bit more time.
I also would like to email the local TV stations but for some reason am having a difficult time locating email addresses for any of them. Seems everyone is using online forms now which I guess will just take a bit more time.
The call to action page at CASAA has been updated to include not only the current fight in the Utah Legislature but also a fight with Oregon. Details of both bills and what you can do to fight this can be found on the CASAA Call to Action page... CASAA.org
I personally urge everyone to get involved and do their part to fight these bills. One person CAN make a difference!
I personally urge everyone to get involved and do their part to fight these bills. One person CAN make a difference!
Julie -
Thanks for this! I hope you don't mind that I quoted a couple of these talking points and the contact list on the CASAA Call to Action page?
Thanks for this! I hope you don't mind that I quoted a couple of these talking points and the contact list on the CASAA Call to Action page?
Well, that wouldn't surprise me overly much . . . it would be akin to how many members of the LDS faith have no problem drinking soda with caffeine because the prohibition is specifically against "hot drinks," which as I understand it has been interpreted to mean coffee and tea.
But it also wouldn't surprise me if some LDS members would have concerns about e-cigarettes. The prohibition as I understand it involves "tobacco," but just as some LDS members avoid caffeinated sodas (even though not specifically a no-no under church teachings), some will likewise feel that e-cigarettes are problematic because they contain nicotine.
As for the talking points, the legislation seeks to eliminate flavors, e-cigarettes without on/off switches, and sales other than face-to-face sales.
I'm getting to the point where I'm thinking form letters aren't particularly useful . . . rather, individualized letters are probably more powerful, and I think the Utah folks seem pretty motivated to tell their stories.
Possible talking points--
1. Tell your story about how you have SWITCHED to electronic cigarettes and use them as an alternative to smoking. Mention how you've reduced/eliminated smoking from your life.
2. Talk about one of the reasons why e-cigarettes are such an effective alternative to smoking for you is because of the flavors. The ability to continue to distance yourself from the taste and aroma of burning tobacco is a good thing.
3. Talk about how there is absolutely no evidence that e-cigarettes are particularly attractive to minors, and you feel that it is hypocritical that flavors are allowed for alcohol but not for e-cigarettes, both of which are adult products. The solution is not to take choices away from adults, but take them away from children--prohibit sales to minors and enforce those laws.
4. Sales via the mail should be permitted because (1) requiring only face-to-face sales is burdensome, especially in a state where many people have to travel a substantial distance to reach a densely populated urban center (I think that's right, but Utah folks will know that better); (2) it will be expensive and difficult to enforce, which is problematic at a time when so many states are struggling with fiscal issues; (3) there is no evidence that minors are obtaining e-cigarettes from the mails/internet in any significant numbers--you need a credit card; (4) less restrictive alternatives are possible, such as, for example, requiring vendors mailing to Utah residents to require an adult signature at the time of delivery for the first delivery, thereby "vetting" the home.
5. The requirement that e-cigarettes without a switch be banned doesn't make any sense and reflects a lack of understanding of the product.
Just some random thoughts off the top of my head. I think it would be great if others added their ideas as well.
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