FTC’s oddly outdated vaping report. Calls to Action in Connecticut, Hawai’i, Alaska and Colorado. CASAA offers new advocacy materials. Board of Directors speak on panel about Synthetic Nicotine bill on CASAA Live and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALL TO ACTION // Connecticut
No vote was taken on SB 367–a flavor ban in nicotine limit bill–Monday but we anticipate it will go through committee with little resistance, so contact your lawmakers in Connecticut NOW and urge them to reject SB 367!
TAKE ACTION: Connecticut – Stop a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTION // Hawai’i Flavor Ban
HB 1570, yet another ill-advised FLAVOR BAN bill, is scheduled for a HEARING ON FRIDAY, March 18 at 1:31 PM. Click link to find out how to register or testify your opposition to this bill!
TAKE ACTION: Hawai’i – Stop a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTION // Alaska Vape Tax
HB 110 would enact a 75% wholesale tax on e-liquids, vaping devices, and components. (HB 110 is the House version of SB 45)
This bill had a hearing on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. Click the link for more info!
TAKE ACTION: Alaska – Stop a Vapor Tax
CALL TO ACTION UPDATE // Colorado Flavor Ban
Some may think restricting sales of vapes to adult-only establishments “fixes” the bill, but if you 100% advocate for Tobacco Harm Reduction, you know far safer vape sales should NOT be restricted in any way when cigarette sales are not!
TAKE ACTION: Colorado — Stop a Flavor Ban
UPDATE // Santa Ana Flavor Ban
Lawmakers across the country continue to remove flavored vaping products from shelves to “protect youth” despite STRONG evidence they contributed to RECORD LOW cigarette smoking rates for both youth and adults and CDC data showing there’s NOT a “youth vaping epidemic.”
Santa Ana bans flavored tobacco sales in the city https://t.co/4UFk84ELY1
— O.C. Register (@ocregister) March 17, 2022
READ MORE: Santa Ana bans flavored tobacco sales in the city
UPDATE // Indiana Vape Tax Reduced
The Indiana vape tax on closed systems, which takes effect in July, was successfully reduced from 25% to 15%. While we oppose any punitive taxes on safer alternatives to smoking, the reduced cost is welcome news for adults who use the low risk products!
Indiana’s new tax on vaping is being cut even before it takes effect in July despite protests from anti-smoking advocates, @AP reports. https://t.co/SXRVp47fGZ
— WISH-TV (@WISH_TV) March 17, 2022
READ MORE: Part of Indiana’s new vaping tax cut before taking effect
CASAA IN ACTION // Advocacy Materials
Did you know CASAA has a Pamphlet & Graphics download page? And (thanks to an excellent suggestion by Michigan vape shop owner Marc Slis) we now offer an eye-catching new “About CASAA” flyer to display at vape shops or wherever else low risk alternatives to smoking are sold!
CHECK IT OUT: CASAA Resources – Pamphlets & Graphics
CASAA IN ACTION // Statement on Flavor Ban
CASAA CEO Alex Clark’s statement on Connecticut flavor ban and nicotine cap was quoted in this article:
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association, CASSA, said in their written testimony that passing this legislation would affect adults making the switch from cigarettes to smoke free alternatives.
“It is very disappointing that some of the comments the committee will hear on this legislation callously dismiss the experiences of millions of people who quit smoking” Alex Clark, CEO of CASSA said.
READ MORE: Flavored Vape Conversation Continues
IN THE NEWS // Media Misinformation
Article by Jenna Carlesso at the CT Mirror is just one example of recent media reports on youth vaping that inexplicably use 2017-19 data showing rise from 11.7% to 27.5% instead of recent 2020-21 data showing drop from 19.6% to 11.3% (concurrent with record-low youth smoking.) Hmm…🤔
IN THE NEWS // FTC Issues Odd Report
The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) “first report on e-cigarette sales & advertising” is grossly outdated the minute it’s released, using sales and youth use data from 2015-2018 to raise alarm on a youth vaping trend that’s already dramatically declined. What is the goal here??
Nothing highlights the woeful inefficiency of the US federal government more than @FTC issuing a breaking new "disturbing" report in 2022 on youth e-cigarette use that only looked at data thru 2018 & which report is already totally outdated and irrelevant.https://t.co/xnWL2pwdIW
— Freedom of Choice (@LanceChurchill) March 18, 2022
TESTIMONIAL // Anecdote #13,424
This testimonial is from Ashley, who found flavors were a “game changer” for her to quit smoking for good. Unfortunately, New York banned non-tobacco flavors in 2020.
What’s YOUR real story? Submit your testimonial today!
READ MORE: CASAA Testimonials
TOBACCO CONTROL // Overkill Regulation
Colorado store owners to lawmakers: We’ve done everything you demanded. Enough is enough.
“We hope the legislature recognizes that prohibition and selling products out of the back of a van are the real failed policies.”
What should Colorado do about youth vaping, tobacco use?
Point: https://t.co/uHVjxmNZOi
vs.
Counterpoint: https://t.co/QXfnZ5AZlt#copolitics pic.twitter.com/96RU47UueP— Colorado Politics Opinion (@CoPo_Opinion) March 16, 2022
READ MORE: COUNTERPOINT | We’ve already cracked down on youth vaping
CASAA IN ACTION // CASAA Live
If you missed the CASAA Live show this past weekend, check out the replay now! CASAA Live is on Saturdays at 4:30 PM ET/3:30 PM CT/2:30 PM MT/1:30 PM PT on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter!
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 STORE // Apparel and More
Show your support by shopping our store! Our president (and brilliant website/swag designer) Danielle has added some awesome new designs to CASAA’s apparel shop, plus there are still Black Friday deals on all items!
VISIT: CASAA Apparel and Swag Store
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.
SoundCloud: