Nicotine tax is in, cigarette tax out as lawmakers break promise with updated federal funding bill. Call to Action Portland, Maine. Washington County, OR and Walnut Grove, CA ban flavors. New information on FDA PMTA rejections comes to light and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALL TO ACTION // National Nicotine Tax Updated
No longer raising taxes on combustible tobacco products, the NEW VERSION of the Build Back Better funding bill only targets ANY TYPE of nicotine used in harm-reducing products at $50.33 per 1,810 mg! Please TAKE ACTION NOW even if you already did it before!
TAKE ACTION: Stop an Excessive Federal Tax on Safer Nicotine Products
CALL TO ACTION // Portland, Maine Flavor Ban
The City Council is moving forward with a proposal to ban the sale of all flavored vapor and tobacco products. The ordinance is expected to be introduced on Tuesday, November 9 at 5:30 PM!
TAKE ACTION: Portland, Maine – Stop a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTON // Washington County, Oregon Update
County bans flavors despite significant decline of youth vaping, FDA authorization of a vapor product as “appropriate for the protection of public health” and evidence curiosity–not flavors–are main reason youth vape.
"Marilyn Manson once said that if parents don't like their kids listening to Marilyn Manson they should raise them better."
My favorite quote for testifier in hearing for flavor ban in Washington County, OR.
— B Fojtik (@PositiveEnerG) November 2, 2021
This should have been a ballot issue not a council of five, I counted 20+ vape shops in the Washington county area that at this point will most likely sue to block this anyway, and by also banning menthol cigarettes that seems all but guaranteed gas stations and 7/11 will follow.
— OutlawPhil (@Outlawphil_) November 3, 2021
READ MORE: Oregon county bans sale of flavored tobacco products
LOCAL LEGISLATION // Walnut Creek, California Flavor Ban Update
Despite significant decline of youth vaping, FDA authorization of a vapor product as “appropriate for the protection of public health” and ability to follow adults-only hookah model, city bans flavored harm reduction products.
Walnut Creek: Jaime Rohas (NATO) educating Council on SF youth smoking rate going up after its flavor ban, the recent data showing decline of youth vaping, and the actual compliance rates of the retailers in the city!
— StefanDidak (@StefanDidak) November 3, 2021
READ MORE: Walnut Creek Officials Approve Ban On Selling Flavored Tobacco, Vaping Products
LOCAL LEGISLATION // St. Paul, Minnesota Update
New law creates an ABSURD scenario where snus (acknowledged by FDA to be “appropriate for the protection of public health”) has the same $10 minimum cost as deadly cigarettes, and shops selling low risk vaping products can’t open within 1/2 mile of places selling combustible cigarettes.
As usual, St. Paul supports small businesses in other communities.
By the way, it doesn't matter how many times you falsely claim it, there's no tobacco in vaping liquid.
— Phil (@phil_w888) November 5, 2021
READ MORE: St. Paul approves new tobacco restrictions, including $10 minimum for packs of cigarettes
IN THE NEWS // FDA Intrigue
Journalist Alex Norcia acquires memos showing FDA “applied a ‘Fatal Flaw’ review to the vapor companies with the most applications for flavored products…searched for 2 types of studies, and if they were not apparent, denied the applications.”
A former CTP employee said he had never heard of this standard before. Many in the industry speculate if the FDA faced political pressure to act after Congress members scolded Woodcock, the acting commissioner, during a June hearing. The standard was applied about 2 weeks later.
— Alex Norcia (@Alex_Norcia) November 3, 2021
READ MORE: FDA Memos Reveal Its “Fatal Flaw” Rejection Plan for Flavored Vapes
COMMENTARY // BROKEN TAX PROMISE
Updated [Build Back Better Act] made up the revenue lost by going light on those billionaires by expanding tobacco taxes to additional nicotine products, replacing a tax that was highly progressive with one that is highly regressive.”
Sara Sirota & Ryan Grim, The Intercept
PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY // Public Health Fiasco
$MO – Altria: New U.S. Tax Proposal Would Protect Cigarettes, Buy. https://t.co/zBRsNTaMZA #economy #markets #stocks
— Seeking Alpha (@SeekingAlpha) November 4, 2021
TAKE ACTION // CASAA State Facebook Groups
Have you joined your CASAA State Facebook group yet? Check it out now! Click the link below, click on your state on the map, then click the “Join Now” button to go to your state’s group page. It’s as easy as that to stay updated on local happenings, meet local advocates and never miss a Call to Action in your state!
Don’t forget to also follow our official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CASAAmedia
FIND YOUR GROUP: CASAA State Locator
CASAA MEDIA // Podcast
Catch up on past tobacco harm reduction news with Alex and Logan on the CASAA podcasts on SoundCloud every Monday and now live on YouTube and Facebook every Saturday at 3:30 PM.