Ensure the availability of a variety of effective, affordable, reduced-harm alternatives to smoking.
As a consumer advocacy nonprofit organization, CASAA’s work is dedicated to empowering consumers and representing their interests in various legislative, policy making, and rule-making arenas.
CASAA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization.
250k+ members
We have a membership of more than 250,00 individuals from all walks of life.
What we do
increase public awareness & education
advocate for responsible policy
support policies that improve public health
facts about casaa
The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) was formed in 2009 as an advocacy group to raise awareness and protect our right as consumers to access reduced harm alternatives.
Created as an answer to the efforts by various members of the tobacco control community to ban tobacco harm reduction (THR) products and in the belief that there is strength in our numbers.
A consumer nonprofit organization, not a trade organization.
The original CASAA 12-member Board of Directors was elected by members of the electronic cigarette and smokeless tobacco community. CASAA’s present board is self-perpetuating.
Our Board of Director members are all volunteers and receive no financial compensation.
Our bylaws strictly limit the number of individuals with industry ties allowed to serve as Board members to 33.33% or less to prevent industry interests from ever having a majority vote or even the ability to control a quorum of the board. Currently, we have nine board members, one of whom is a retailer.
A registered nonprofit organization in Alabama and is a recognized 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization. As a 501(c)(4) organization, CASAA pays no income taxes on the donations it receives; however, contributions to CASAA are not deductible by the donor as a charitable contribution. More information about our finances can be found near the bottom of this page.
Although donations to CASAA are accepted from many sources, we have no financial or policy agreements with industry stakeholders. Our policy for allocating resources is that all contributions are used for efforts that will maximize consumer access to and awareness of low-risk, smoke-free nicotine and tobacco products.
We maintain this web site for the purpose of providing easy access for members and the general public to news articles, Calls to Action, Local Alerts, scientific research studies, legal actions, pending legislation and educational materials regarding vapor products, smokeless tobacco, and THR issues.
As of 2022, CASAA has more than 250,000 registered members. Membership in CASAA is free.
CASAA is a member of The International Network of Nicotine Consumer Organisations
HOW WE DO IT
Since CASAA’s founding in 2009, we have educated the public and increased awareness about the benefits of reduced harm alternatives to smoking. In order to do this we regularly…
Represent Consumer Interests
at the federal level by meeting with officials, and submitting written and oral testimony before federal legislators and regulatory bodies.
Track Legislation
(state and federal) affecting access to THR products.
Issue Calls to Action
which are designed to allow CASAA members to connect directly with legislators and regulators, sharing opinions on proposed laws and rules that would impact them.
Publish Local Alerts
to our membership in affected areas, and also rebroadcasts information on local issues produced by various state and regional organizations.
Share Information
via social media and emails to members.
Encourage Responsible Policy
designed to improve public health by recognizing that low-risk nicotine products are inherently far less dangerous than smoking.
CASAA IN THE NEWS
For media inquiries please email board@casaa.org or call 202-241-9117
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Washington Examiner05/31/23"A $2.2 million grant to test the effectiveness of lying to marginalized young people is clearly a step in the wrong direction and risks further harming at-risk youth," Alex Clark,... -
Oregon Live04/04/23"Alex Clark, CEO of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association, cited the use of flavored products as a step toward getting people to stop smoking cigarettes. “It would ban... -
Filter Magazine12/02/22Danielle Jones, the board president of CASAA, a member-driven nonprofit that advocates for safer nicotine alternatives, emphasized to Filter that although THR proponents are obviously against prohibition, “the motivations and... -
Filter Magazine11/10/22"Over the years, I’ve noticed a fundamental misunderstanding of the NYTS data—largely due to how they’re presented—by politicians, medical professionals, media and the general public alike." -
Tobacco Reporter10/31/22Alex Clark, CEO of the Consumer Advocacy for Smoke-free Alternatives Association, stressed the importance of language in the smoking and health debate. “Smoker,” he said, has become a pejorative term.... -
Bloomberg Law7/14/22Alex Clark, CEO of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association, said in an email that “the impossible application deadline for synthetic nicotine products was never intended to ensure that... -
Tobacco Reporter6/1/22Happily, the CASAA turned out to be the real thing: a 501(c)(4) nonprofit advocacy organization dedicated (as its website says) to ensuring “the availability of a variety of effective, affordable,... -
The Oklahoman5/3/22“Lumping vapor products with combustible cigarettes, first of all, it’s not backed up by science, and second it creates confusion by consumers and everyday people,” said Alex Clark, CEO of... -
CT News Junkie3/14/22“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... -
CStoreDecisions8/26/21“We’ve already seen how harmful flavor bans are for people who vape by pressuring them back to smoking or buying products from informal sources,” said Alex Clark, CEO for Consumer... -
Inside Sources7/20/21“A foundational belief that informs this effort is the idea that nicotine should only be delivered in concentrations that relieve the symptoms of withdrawal from smoking, but not enough to... -
Filter Magazine06/24/21“The fact that a government can brazenly admit their policy will lead to more smoking and death is wild,” Matt Culley, a board member of the US-based CASAA, a consumer... -
CStore Decisions03/23/21“While vaping is capturing all of the attention, laws are being proposed that would sweep all tobacco and nicotine products under flavor bans — even products that are granted a... -
Filter Magazine01/06/21"Alex Clark is the CEO of CASAA, a consumer advocacy group, affiliated with INNCO, which promotes the rights of US nicotine users. He lives in New York." -
Inside Sources10/28/20"Regardless, PMI’s survey results speak to the sentiments of vaping consumers in the United States and other countries. Alex Clark, chief executive officer of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives...
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Fox News Baltimore10/21/20“Taxing vapor products like combustible cigarettes for example is a move in the wrong direction, said Alex Clark, CEO of consumer organization The Consumer Advocates for Smoke Free Alternatives Association.... -
CStoreDecisions08/25/20“I think that vaping flavor bans create a hole that nicotine pouches might fill,” said Clark. “In some places, like Massachusetts, gas stations and c-stores filled slots on tobacco racks... -
Dig Boston08/17/20“When we talk about banning menthol, for us, we’re looking at these products as an alternative that people should be able to switch to,” said Alex Clark, CEO of Consumer... -
Valdosta Daily Times07/08/20"Georgia has already criminalized the purchase, use and possession of tobacco products for anyone under the age of 18, that's now moved to 21 and it incorporates vapor products,” Clark... -
Vaping Post07/08/20“... the state of Missouri has no business taking over the role of enforcing FDA rules and guidance, especially given the fact that such rules and guidance are constantly changing.... -
Inside Sources04/21/20“‘Governors need to hear from consumers about how important it is to maintain access to vapor shops — especially in a time of crisis, ‘ Clark wrote. ‘Under high stress...
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VICE04/16/20"’I'm glad the FDA has decided to walk back on their statement, unlike many others in public health that are using a pandemic to further their unscientific war on vaping,’... -
Rochester City Newspaper04/09/20“We’re talking about hundreds of vapor shops being shut down,” said Alex Clark, the association's CEO. “The bill that passed basically shut off all points of access for consumers besides... -
Filter Magazine04/08/20“Governor Cuomo’s budget promises to send thousands of New Yorkers of all ages back to smoking. In the midst of a global pandemic involving a respiratory illness that kills people... -
Bloomberg Law04/01/20“Many retailers are absolutely capable of conducting business and not putting their customers at risk,” Clark said. -
CSP Daily News03/02/20Vaping has always been a “consumer movement,” says Alex Clark, CEO of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association, Plattsburgh, N.Y. “The entire industry has grown from that spirit, not... -
The Center Square02/03/20Alex Clark, CEO of The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association, said without outlining how the increased tax revenue is going to be spent, HB 864 is just a “money... -
Alton Daily News01/27/20"Alex Clark, with the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association, says state lawmakers are going too far." -
The Center Square01/24/20“I think it’s important to push back on the narrative here. Flavors are the product,” he said. “Tobacco activists certainly have, rather successfully, made the argument that flavors are solely... -
LA Times10/27/19Bruce Nye, president of the board of the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Assn., said the number of students included in the study was too small for researchers to draw... -
CNN10/09/19"Rather than just vote a party ticket, they may in fact change their vote for anybody who comes out and wants to have a critical conversation about vaping," warned Alex... -
US News10/08/19"We're living and dying by these decisions," said Kristin Noll-Marsh, the member coordinator for CASAA who moderates the group's national Facebook group and is adamant that people who use vaping...
CASAA Leadership
Board of Directors
All Volunteer
Danielle Jones
Logan Evans
Matt Culley
Julie Woessner
Doug Carter
Jim McDonald
Ron Ward
In Gratitude
Elaine Keller
Drew Gliem
CASAA Volunteer Facebook Group Moderators
Special thanks to our dedicated team of volunteers that moderate CASAA’s individual state Facebook groups!
Ahmed Alkhtry
Amber Armstrong
Amber Hetrisk Perdue
Amy Mohon
Andrea Renae Schwalb
Angela Renee Garrity
Anthony Willwerth
Arthur Stark
Becca Bair
Bridget Leigh Williams
Brie Starr
Bruce Gowans
Chad Johns
Chris Weintz
Chrissie Eagle Littleton
Cindi Kinch
Corey Olivieri
Dan Tipton
Debbie Guardino
Ed West
Frank Randazzo
Goldie Cooley
Greg Henry
Heather R. Miller
Jackie Dillon Vaughan
Jacob Hubbard
Jason Wilson
Jeff Porter
Jennifer Buksar
Jessica Lynn Heaton
Jonathan Poynter
Joseph Bullet Blanchard
Joseph Sneddeni
Kathy McDermott
Ken Greenwood
Laurel O’Neill
Leann Rietbrock
Lisa Belle
Lisa Combs Church
Lori Yerxa
Marvin Cosper
Matt Jenkins
Michael Hammond
Michelle Hughes
Mikael Billiter
Mike Olson
Missy Adams
Nicholas Aaron Seabolt
Pat Collins
Patricia Clewell
Paul Kuromoto
Rick Lucchetta
Ricky Bright
Robb Ryan
Ryan McDaniel
Shane Oakley
Tammie Auras
Tammy Michaud
Tara Paradise
Tim Mahoney
Tyler Williamson
Tyson F Nuss
Yvonne Juliane Settembrino
Ahmed Alkhtry
Amber Armstrong
Amber Hetrisk Perdue
Amy Mohon
Andrea Renae Schwalb
Angela Renee Garrity
Anthony Willwerth
Arthur Stark
Becca Bair
Bridget Leigh Williams
Brie Starr
Bruce Gowans
Chad Johns
Chris Weintz
Chrissie Eagle Littleton
Cindi Kinch
Corey Olivieri
Dan Tipton
Debbie Guardino
Ed West
Frank Randazzo
Goldie Cooley
Greg Henry
Heather R. Miller
Jackie Dillon Vaughan
Jacob Hubbard
Jason Wilson
Jeff Porter
Jennifer Buksar
Jessica Lynn Heaton
Jonathan Poynter
Joseph Bullet Blanchard
Joseph Sneddeni
Kathy McDermott
Ken Greenwood
Laurel O’Neill
Leann Rietbrock
Lisa Belle
Lisa Combs Church
Lori Yerxa
Marvin Cosper
Matt Jenkins
Michael Hammond
Michelle Hughes
Mikael Billiter
Mike Olson
Missy Adams
Nicholas Aaron Seabolt
Pat Collins
Patricia Clewell
Paul Kuromoto
Rick Lucchetta
Ricky Bright
Robb Ryan
Ryan McDaniel
Shane Oakley
Tammie Auras
Tammy Michaud
Tara Paradise
Tim Mahoney
Tyler Williamson
Tyson F Nuss
Yvonne Juliane Settembrino
FINANCIALS
To view CASAA’s legally required financial filings, including 990s, please visit our GuideStar profile. CASAA is a Silver Level GuideStar organization, indicating our commitment to transparency. Creating a GuideStar account to view our financials is free and easy.
How We Use Donations
Every year CASAA seeks to spend its members’ donations wisely. A little-known fact is that CASAA isn’t a big-money nonprofit organization – we’ve been operating on a shoe-string budget compared to our opponents. Even so, we have been able to make sure your voice is being heard and is making a difference. Without you and your support, reduced harm products would have been long gone from the market 10 years ago!
We Can't Do It Without Your Support
We rely on donations from generous supporters like you.
Every little bit helps!