Guess what? You made it to Friday, and it's time for a fun-filled and packed to the rim e-cigarette news roundup. We have some great items including the Utah tax's absolute defeat, some promising science news and more. So, sit back, grab your favorite Friday morning beverage, and jump in!
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e-Cigarettes in the Media |
| This week featured a wide range of media stories, from typical (and sometimes extraordinary) hit pieces to interesting business analysis. Just for good measure I threw coverage of an interesting new study in the mix as well. Click to read media news stories eCigs Less Harmful, Says StudyCSPNet covered a recent study that analyzed e-cigarette vapor. I’m sure in what would come as a shock to no one, the study found e-cigarette vapor to be much less harmful than smoking. .The study did find that formaldehyde is a byproduct of vapor, but noted similar levels are found in FDA approved nicotine inhalers. Still, it would probably be a good idea if the industry could figure out what causes that and eliminate it. What may be shocking is that the study’s authors actually stated that harm reduction might be a good idea. ![]() The report found that “levels of selected toxic compounds found in the smoke from a conventional cigarette were 9-450-fold higher than levels in the vapor of an e-cigarette. … Exposure to acrolein, an oxidant and respiratory irritant thought to be a major contributor to cardiovascular disease from smoking, is 15 times lower on average in e-cigarette vapor compared with cigarette smoke. The amounts of toxic metals and aldehydes in e-cigarettes are trace amounts and are comparable with amounts contained in an examined therapeutic product.”
What’s even more wild is that the study was a joint effort between Poland and the National Institute of Health. Apparently, there is still some glimmer of interest in real science as it relates to e-cigarettes out there. Daily News Highlights Prohibitionist Talking PointsThe NY Daily News recently posted an article piggybacking off the CDC report that more smokers are aware of, and using, e-cigarettes. The article spends a lot of time quoting various health officials who seem to think that’s a bad thing. A number of favorite arguments are presented like dual use and the gateway theory. More people are smoking e-cigarettes, but as a quitting tool, they may be all smoke and mirrors
You know, it seems that actual smokers who have switched never seem to come up. The focus is on the edge cases or on non-users taking up vaping. Existing smokers who could benefit are sort of swept under the rug, as if they’re already a lost cause. Biz Insider: Tax Court Could Benefit eCigs (also ecig co. slippery slope)Business Insider ran an e-cigarette article. The article noted that the roll-your-own industry was dealt a blow in tax court. This setback could be a boon to e-cigarette companies which currently have no special tax (despite the best attempts of some states.) The weird thing is, the reporter interviewed one company which made some statements about their business that might open them to some risk.
The article says that this company, which is the parent of EZ-Smoker has about 16% of the market. I’ve not really heard of this brand, which also pursues the questionable practice of subscription programs. UC Fullerton Publishes Amazingly Biased eCig ArticleThe Daily Titan, school paper for the University of California Fullerton published an article about electronic cigarettes. The article was a full-on hit piece against e-cigarettes. There wasn’t even the typical token mention of the other side of the argument in this piece. Granted, the UC system is under the rule of one of the most vehement prohibitionists around, but this piece didn’t even pretend to be an unbiased piece of journalism. ![]() Another problem with e-cigarette regulation is that manufacturers are able to alter the device’s look and taste to appeal to a younger crowd. Although they resemble a traditional cigarette, the various solutions available for these devices are available in fruit and candy flavors that appeal to children
The about the author blurb mentions that all journalism students must serve as staff writers on the paper. Apparently Fullerton’s J-school has a track on yellow journalism. Verge Article Questions eCig SafetyA recent article on the site The Verge calls out the ghost of FDA past by running an article questioning what we know about electronic cigarettes. The article, to its credit, does include both CASAA and Clive Bates on the discussion who point out the flaws in the FDA’s study. However, the article seems to insinuate each and every item from China should not be trusted. ![]() If the FDA’s initial study proved anything, it’s that right now there’s no way regular people can hope to know what’s in their e-cigarettes. While manufacturers and advocacy groups claim e-cigarettes are safe when compared to nicotine-replacement products and (especially when compared to traditional cigarettes), we’ve heard similar claims from vested interests before, and they should be treated with due skepticism. What’s needed is a full and thorough investigation into all of the brands on sale in the US, and consistent rules for future products in this category. Until it does, consumers are left having to assume that e-cigarettes are probably safer than regular smoking, trusting their lungs to vaporish claims of the companies that make them.
There is the point to the idea that some sort of standards and quality control would be helpful. The problem is the agency that is in a position to do so is perhaps somewhat less concerned with consumers than it should be. |
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Local e-Cigarette News |
| Lots going on in the local scene. From scumbag politicians to scumbags cleaning out a vendor's shop after hours, there's a number of stories here as well. Click to read local news stories e-Cigarette Store RobbedTrib.com reports that a Casper, Wyoming e-cigarette shopped was burglarized to the tune of 20 grand. The Wyoming Vapor Company had several hundred e-cigarette kits and accessories taken when thieves cut video and network cables and broke into the establishment. ![]() He’s since been a vocal advocate of the products, hosting a weekly Web show on VapeTV and urging others to drop their tobacco habit. The worst outcome of this incident, he said, would be if someone went back to smoking because he or she was in need of supplies. “I don’t do this for the money,” he said. “I cannot let [customers’] supplies dry up just because some jackass opened up my back door with a pry bar.” This vendor is a regular fixture in the community with a VapeTV show and everything. Most owners lament the loss of business, but this guy is afraid his customers won’t be able to get their supplies. A class act, here’s to hoping the criminals get caught. Hawaii Kids Rally For eCig Restrictions Industry SupportsYouth congregated at the Hawaii State Capitol in support of tougher restriction on tobacco and e-cigarettes youth sales. The unfortunate part is e-cigarettes were lumped in with cigarette companies and accusations of “tactics” were leveled. The state is grappling with ways to deal with the issue and are considering an age restriction for the sale of electronic cigarettes. The odd thing is at least as far as e-cigarettes go, e-cigarette companies are on the same page as the protestors. ![]() ”We agree that sales of tobacco, tobacco products, and vapor products to minors should be prohibited, and already have a company policy reflecting that position,” wrote Cory Smith, President and Owner of Volcano Fine Electronic Cigarettes, in written testimony to lawmakers.
Misguided youth will be misguided I suppose. I agree in general with age restrictions for e-cigarettes. It seems like this group might have been a little better off working with e-cigarette companies rather than assuming the worst. Lawmaker Licks Wounds after Utah eCig Tax DefeatAs I mentioned earlier in a breaking news update, Utah’s House shot down a proposed bill that would effectively kill the industry in the state. The bill was down voted by a pretty healthy majority with a number of lawmakers stating they didn’t believe raising taxes would do anything to prevent youth use of electronic cigarettes. For his part, the lawmaker that hatched this scheme is sticking to his story in the wake of defeat. It’s interesting, the reports that came out when this bill was first proposed a week prior had Ray claiming there to have been 100 e-cigarettes confiscated. Just a scant week later, that number has doubled. Either someone has a penchant for embellishment, or Utah will soon have more e-cigarette using students than there are people in the state. Oklahoma Proposes eCig Tax, ALA Against it?Oklahoma is half way to taxing e-cigarettes at the same rate as traditional cigarettes. Local prohibitionists apparently have some lawmakers convinced there’s no evidence e-cigarettes are any safer than smoking, so they should get taxed at the same rate. Oddly enough, the Oklahoma chapter of the American Lung Association is against the tax as it thinks that means the state is condoning e-cigarettes. I guess that means the state endorses regular cigarettes as well. ![]() “The regular cigarettes, they have more toxins compared to the electronic cigarette, but they’re still not safe,” says Dr. Wagas Chishti of Freeman Health System. “So they had a lung function test before they used the electronic cigarette, and they did a lung function test immediately after they inhaled an electronic cigarette. It did show their lung functions decreased immediately after they used the electronic cigarette.” Some lawmakers in Oklahoma say the known short term effects of e-cigarettes are bad enough to put them in the same category of traditional cigarettes. The thing with that test is there’s no comparison. How severely did it impact lung function? How did that compare to a smoker? But what I find interesting is that so many states are all trying to tax e-cigarettes at the same time. Update: Greg over at CASAA alerted me to the fact the proposed tax is actually way lower than tobacco taxes, maxing out at 10% of the tobacco tax (which is about a buck per pack of cigarettes.) The ALA is up in arms because the tax is too low, not because it exists. |
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e-Cigarette News Around the World |
| From across the US to across the pond. Let's finish out the regular news coverage with a couple of articles from around the world. Click to read world news stories Malta Wants eCig Ban Regardless of EULooks like Cyprus is getting impatient for the EU’s overbearing Tobacco Products Directive. In a recent post in the Cyprus Mail, the country apparently envies Belgium, Malta and Slovakia for their proactive bans on electronic cigarettes. The country’s police and health officials want to at least ban the devices in public whether or not the TPD ever sees the light of day. “Regardless of whether the European Union will issue a legally binding directive regarding electronic cigarettes, we will act to best serve the people of Cyprus,” he said. “And we believe that banning the use of electronic cigarettes from public places will benefit the public.” All this coming from a country that apparently has a difficult time enforcing its regular smoking ban. I suppose trying to crack down on the real deal before dealing with much harder to detect e-cigarettes made sense to someone. |
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CASAA Call to Actions This Week
CASAA Letter to Connecticut Joint Committee on Public Health
This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at CASAA. View original post.
Room 3000, Legislative Office Building
Hartford, CT 06106
gconley@casaa.org
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
CASAA – The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association
Call to Action! Maryland Smokeless Tobacco Tax Increase -- HB683 / SB700 (UPDATED)
This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at CASAA. View original post.
Maryland: 316% Increase in Smokeless Tobacco Tax (HB683 / SB700)
[full text of HB683] [legislative tracking for HB683]
[full text of SB700] [legislative tracking for SB700]
These bills would:
Increase Maryland’s tax on smokeless tobacco products from 30% to 95%.
Please note that this bill would *not* tax e-cigarettes.
UPDATE (3/10/2013): The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee will hold a hearing to discuss and possibly vote on SB700 on Wednesday, March 13th at 1:15 pm. Public testimony will be allowed from attendees wishing to speak. We strongly encourage advocates to attend and testify this meeting in opposition to the tax increase on smokeless tobacco. If you are planning to testify, please contact us at board@casaa.org.
HB683 had a hearing before the House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday, February 28th. A vote has yet to be taken on the bill.
CASAA is requesting that its members send e-mails and make phone calls to members of both the Senate Budget and Taxation and the House Ways and Means Committee.
Please call, write or fax the members of the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee & the House Ways and Means Committee below.
1. Let them know that you oppose HB683 and SB700 because they would impose an unnecessary and punitive tax increase on smokeless tobacco products.
2. Tell your story on how switching from cigarettes to a far less hazardous smoke-free tobacco product has changed your life.
3. Explain that the purpose of increasing cigarette tax rates was to reimburse state expenditures for treating the many diseases caused by cigarette smoking. Because smokeless tobacco products have been found to be around 99% less harmful than cigarettes, there is no justification for such an outrageously excessive tax, which would discourage smokers from switching to a less harmful alternative.
4. Because smokeless tobacco products are taxed at a much lower rate in neighboring states, many or most smokeless tobacco users in MD will travel a short distance to a neighboring state to buy tobacco, which will result in very little tax revenue increase for Maryland. Adjacent states include: PA (no smokeless tax), WV (7% of wholesale price), VA (10% of manufacturer’s price) and DE (15% of wholesale price).
5. Sharply increasing the smokeless tobacco tax rate also will encourage former smokers who had switched to using smokeless tobacco products to return to smoking.
6. Tell them that by switching to a smokeless product, you have greatly reduced your health risks.
7. Direct them to the CASAA.org website for more information.
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Members (to oppose SB700)
3 West, Miller Senate Building, Annapolis, MD 21401
(410-841-3690 Annapolis/Baltimore or 301-858-3690 Washington, D.C.)
Comma delimited email list:
Edward.Kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us, Nathaniel.McFadden@senate.state.md.us, David.Brinkley@senate.state.md.us, Nancy.King@senate.state.md.us, Richard.Colburn@senate.state.md.us, Richard.Madaleno@senate.state.md.us, Roger.Manno@senate.state.md.us, James.DeGrange@senate.state.md.us, Douglas.Peters@senate.state.md.us, George.Edwards@senate.state.md.us, James.Robey@senate.state.md.us, Verna.Jones@senate.state.md.us
Chair: Edward J. Kasemeyer
Edward.Kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us
3 West Miller Senate Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
410-841-3653 or 301-858-3653
Vice Chair: Nathaniel J. McFadden
Nathaniel.McFadden@senate.state.md.us
422 Miller Senate Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
410-841-3165
David R. Brinkley
David.Brinkley@senate.state.md.us
420 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3704 or 410-841-3704
Nancy J. King
Nancy.King@senate.state.md.us
222 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3686
Richard F. Colburn
Richard.Colburn@senate.state.md.us
315 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
410-841-3590
Richard S. Madaleno, Jr.
Richard.Madaleno@senate.state.md.us
203 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3137
Ulysses Currie
Ulysses.Currie@senate.state.md.us
201 James Senate Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3127
Roger P. Manno
Roger.Manno@senate.state.md.us
3 West Miller Senate Building
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3151
James E. DeGrange, Sr.
James.DeGrange@senate.state.md.us
101 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
410-841-3593 or 301-858-3593
Douglas J. J. Peters
Douglas.Peters@senate.state.md.us
121 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3631
George C. Edwards
George.Edwards@senate.state.md.us
322 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3565
James N. Robey
James.Robey@senate.state.md.us
120 James Senate Office Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
301-858-3572 or 410-841-3572
Verna L. Jones-Rodwell
Verna.Jones@senate.state.md.us
420 Miller Senate Bldg.
11 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
410-841-3612
House Ways and Means Committee Members (to oppose HB683)
Room 131, House Office Building, Annapolis, MD 21401-1912
(410-841-3469 Annapolis/Baltimore or 301-858-3469 Washington, D.C.)
Comma delimited list:
Sheila.Hixson@house.state.md.us, Frank.Turner@house.state.md.us, Kathy.Afzali@house.state.md.us, Kumar.Barve@house.state.md.us, Joseph.Boteler@house.state.md.us, Talmadge.Branch@house.state.md.us, Jon.Cardin@house.state.md.us, don.dwyer@house.state.md.us, Mark.Fisher@house.state.md.us, Bill.Frick@house.state.md.us, Ron.George@house.state.md.us, Carolyn.Howard@house.state.md.us, Jolene.Ivey@house.state.md.us, Anne.Kaiser@house.state.md.us, Eric.Luedtke@house.state.md.us, Aruna.Miller@house.state.md.us, LeRoy.Myers@house.state.md.us, Andrew.Serafini@house.state.md.us, Melvin.Stukes@house.state.md.us, Michael.Summers@house.state.md.us, Jay.Walker@house.state.md.us, alonzo.washington@house.state.md.us
Chair: Sheila E. Hixson
Sheila.Hixson@house.state.md.us
131 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3469, (301) 858-3469
Vice Chair: Frank S. Turner
Frank.Turner@house.state.md.us
206 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3246, (301) 858-3246
Kathryn L. Afzali
Kathy.Afzali@house.state.md.us
319 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3288, (301) 858-3288
Kumar P. Barve
Kumar.Barve@house.state.md.us
361 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3464, (301) 858-3464
Joseph C. Boteler III
Joseph.Boteler@house.state.md.us
326 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3365, (301) 858-3365
Talmadge Branch
Talmadge.Branch@house.state.md.us
151 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3398, (301) 858-3398
Jon S. Cardin
Jon.Cardin@house.state.md.us
304 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3833, (301) 858-3833
Don H. Dwyer, Jr.
don.dwyer@house.state.md.us
216 House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3047, (301) 858-3047
Mark N. Fisher
Mark.Fisher@house.state.md.us
151 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3231, (301) 858-3231
C. William Frick
Bill.Frick@house.state.md.us
219 House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3454, (301) 858-3454
Ron George
Ron.George@house.state.md.us
163 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3439, (301) 858-3439
Carolyn J. B. Howard
Carolyn.Howard@house.state.md.us
301 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3919, (301) 858-3919
Jolene Ivey
Jolene.Ivey@house.state.md.us
207 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3478, (301) 858-3478
Anne R. Kaiser
Anne.Kaiser@house.state.md.us
151 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3036, (301) 858-3036
Eric G. Luedtke
Eric.Luedtke@house.state.md.us
222 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3110, (301) 858-3110
Aruna Miller
Aruna.Miller@house.state.md.us
225 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3090, (301) 858-3090
LeRoy E. Myers, Jr.
LeRoy.Myers@house.state.md.us
215 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3321, (301) 858-3321
Andrew A. Serafini
Andrew.Serafini@house.state.md.us
215 House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3447, (301) 858-3447
Melvin L. Stukes
Melvin.Stukes@house.state.md.us
412 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3544, (301) 858-3544
Michael Summers
Michael.Summers@house.state.md.us
203 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3340, (301) 858-3340
Jay Walker
Jay.Walker@house.state.md.us
204 House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401-1991
(410) 841-3581, (301) 858-3581
Alonzo T. Washington
alonzo.washington@house.state.md.us
204B House Office Bldg.
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3652, (301) 858-3652
Call to Action! Vermont Bill to Impose a 92% Tax on E-Cigarettes -- HB71
This is a syndicated post, which originally appeared at CASAA. View original post.
UPDATE (3/11/2013): CASAA has been informed that the Vermont Attorney General’s office has confirmed that e-cigarettes would *not* be subject to a tax under legislation currently pending in the Vermont Senate.
As a result, CASAA has deleted its Call to Action. No further action is needed. If you did contact members of the Vermont Senate, please feel free to send a follow-up e-mail noting that you withdraw your opposition.
CASAA thanks its members for their cooperation.
Deal of the Moment
Memorial Day eCig Sales and Coupon Codes!
Ah, it’s that time again. Nothing makes an e-cigarette merchant want to throw a sale like a holiday weekend. Here’s some sales I found so far. I’ll add more throughout the weekend as I see them. Feel free to toss any sales you come across in the comments.
MadVapes – 15% off Storewide with coupon code memorial- Vapor4Life – 30% off all non-sale items (no code needed, starts May 25th)
- V2 Cigs – Up to 35% off based on order amount. No code needed, can stack with code stevevape for extra 10% off
- Apollo – 25% off site wide this weekend. Use coupon code weekend
- Totally Wicked is doing another one of their yoyo sales (no code needed, just a little luck).
- MyFreedomSmokes has selected items marked down for the weekend.
- eCig Express has assorted items on sale plus a monthly coupon code 1derful for 7% off.
- Stormy’s Vapor Cellar – 10% off with code 10off
- Carolina Vapes is offering free shipping this weekend. No code required
- Smokeless Image – 23% off storewide with code REMEMBER23
- E Smoker Online – 15% off storewide with code memorialday
- Good Prophets – 10% off 100 code mem10 20% off 200 code mem20




















