We need to mount overwhelming opposition to these bills and the sooner the better.
If you recall, a very similar bill was defeated during last year's legislative session, only to be reintroduced this year with even more draconian measures. This time we need to not only kill this bill, but also make it political suicide for any legislator ever attempting something like this again. The only way to accomplish that is to display overwhelming opposition and to expose the corruption and moral bankruptcy that created the bill in the first place.
This is what I sent to our legislators:
I smoked for 38 years, my wife Cindy for 33. We tried all the cessation products available to us and had very little sucess. Last year I tried a
"cigalike" from a gas station, and while I found it reasonably effective, they were actually more expensive than conventional cigarettes. I then went
to a local "vape" store and purchased an inexpensive refillable setup for each of us, and some eliquid. That was the end of the line for my smoking
habit, I haven't smoked in 13 months. Cindy had a bit more trouble, but we shopped around and eventually came across a combination of gear
and liquid that enabled her to quit for good. (Online, from out of state.) We both started with 24 mg/ml liquid but are reducing the nicotine content
gradually. (I am now vaping 3 mg/ml, Cindy, 6 mg/ml) I vape a wide variety of fruits and custards, not a tobacco, mint or menthol to be found.
I purchase local as much as possible, and vendors like Ecigexpress in Bellingham and VapeNW in Federal Way carry a wide variety of quality
products at affordable prices. (And, I assume provide jobs for people) However, some of the items are just more affordable or available from out
of state, and limiting that would possibly have resulted in one or both of us resuming smoking.
We both feel much better and it is a delight to be able to breathe again, and have our home and car not reek like an ashtray.
I believe that we as a state would probably save more in increased productivity and lowered health care costs than the proposed tax revenues if
every smoker switched to vaping tomorrow.
These proposals, while you probably cannot tell from my letter have enraged me and I fully intend to pass along to everyone in my sphere of
influence my feelings on this matter. I vote, Cindy votes and we will be encouraging everyone we know to pay attention to this misguided
legislation.
To make it a crime to purchase vape gear or liquid online is almost laughably stupid and shortsighted.
Batteries, atomizers, electronic "mods" are all usable with 0mg liquids and therefore should not
be taxed anymore than lighters or humidors for cigars or glasses and cocktail shakers for liquor should be.
I read a bit about vaping being a "gateway" to smoking for youth. Really? Can anyone show documentation confirming that anyone anywhere ever
went from inhaling a pleasant mild vapor to sucking exhaust? I took a pull on a conventional cigarette 4 months or so ago and confirmed to myself
that it was terrible. Vaping among my younger relatives is a hobby, and almost always done with very low nicotine levels, and none of them have
ever expressed the desire to smoke tobacco instead, unless of course, vaping doubles in cost and the selection of devices and liquids is
reduced to nearly nothing.
The preponderance of evidence suggests that vaping may have some minimal associated hazards, but the evidence on tobacco is that it will
slowly, painfully, expensively kill you.
I encourage you to do real research and reach your own conclusions, but I am convinced that if you do you will fell the same way we do regarding
these bills put forth for your examination.
Respectfully,
R Coy
