FDA finally authorizes a vaping pod device and announces a menthol cigarette and flavored cigar ban. San Diego bans flavored vapor products. Hong Kong vapers rush to stock up before ban. Flavor ban referendum “switcheroo.” Calls to Action and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALL TO ACTION UPDATE // Alaska
An amended version of SB 45 has moved to the House and is awaiting the next committee assignment.
Here are the changes:
- 75% wholesale tax changed to 45% on all liquids and devices.
- Flavor ban is removed
While removing the flavor ban is a positive development, SB 45 still imposes an unnecessary and excessive tax on vapor products. The Alaska State Legislature is scheduled to conclude the 2022 session on May 18. Please take a moment to contact your officials and urge them to opppose this bill.
TAKE ACTION NOW: Alaska – Stop a Vapor Tax
CALL TO ACTION UPDATE // Washington County, Oregon
The Washington County, OR Board of Commissioners has passed and ordinance that prohibits sales of flavored nicotine products (synthetic or tobacco derived) in any retail environment. What started as a proposal to limit sales of flavored products to adult-only establishments is now a full-blown flavor ban and a prohibition on discounts and coupons.
A referendum to overturn the flavor ban in Washington County has been approved for the ballot in the May 17, 2022 election!
TAKE ACTION: Washington County, Oregon – Stop a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTION // Colorado
A public hearing was held on March 16. After lengthy debate and fierce testimony from opponents, the bill was amended to include, among other things, an exemption for sales of flavored vapor products in adult-only establishments. However, following more testimony and debate in the House Finance Committee, HB 1064 has been amended again to remove the exemption for adult-only stores.
The next hearing expected for this bill will be in the House Appropriations Committee.
TAKE ACTION: Colorado – Fight a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTION // Connecticut
SB 367 would restrict sales of vapor products in flavors other than tobacco to adult-only establishments.
This bill received a hearing on Friday, April 22, 2022 in the Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding. The committee approved an amendment to the bill that allows for sales of flavored vapor products, but restricts these sales to adult-only establishments.
While better than a total flavor ban, limiting sales of low risk, smoke-free products helping adults quit smoking to adult-only establishments–instead of selling them next to the deadly cigarettes they’re intended to replace–is bad for public health.
Your steady contact with lawmakers can make a difference prior to floor votes.
TAKE ACTION: Connecticut – Stop a Flavor Ban!
FDA // Pod Device Authorized
The FDA has finally authorized a modern pod-based vaping product (only tobacco flavor.) An important decision because, until now, the FDA has only authorized older, less-effective (and less-popular) devices. CASAA’s Jim McDonald reports for Vaping 360.
FDA Authorizes NJOY Ace, a High-Powered Pod Vape.
Bu Jim McDonald @whycherrywhy https://t.co/muZ3ohBBgo— Vaping360 (@Vaping360) April 26, 2022
READ MORE: FDA Authorizes NJOY Ace, a High-Strength Pod Vape
FDA // Menthol Cigarette & Flavored Cigar Ban
Banning and criminalizing drugs (ie. the War on Drugs) has disproportionately impacted black communities–with devastating consequences. The menthol ban is yet another drug ban targeting those same communities. CASAA will be issuing a Call to Action May 4th!
USA: The War on Drugs (ie. banning/criminalizing drugs) is a horrible failure. It's been devastatingly harmful to the black community.
Also USA: Black people who enjoy nicotine overwhelmingly smoke menthol cigarettes. Let's help the black community by banning menthol cigarettes! pic.twitter.com/k94M23Vwwm
— Kristin Noll-Marsh (@Noll_Marsh) April 29, 2022
READ MORE: FDA Will Ban Menthol Cigarettes, Remains Silent on Menthol Vapes
LEGISLATION // Referendum ‘Switcheroo’ in Oregon
In a referendum over a proposed vape ban, voters would expect to be voting “No” to oppose the ban and “Yes” to support it. But Washington County, Oregon politicians pulled a shady “switcheroo” where voters have to vote “yes” to oppose and “no” to support!
I don’t vape, but I I’m sick and tired of Oregon politicians just re-interpreting the law to suit them…not the tax paying citizens!
Voter statement appears on wrong side as Elections switches referendum sides https://t.co/aE0mzvp4Ft
— NWPatriot (@JulieBedient) April 14, 2022
READ MORE: Voter Statement Appears on Wrong Side as Elections Switches Referendum Sides
LEGISLATION // San Diego Flavor Ban
On Monday, the San Diego City Council banned SOME flavored tobacco products (including menthol cigarettes) but exempted shisha, premium cigars and loose-leaf tobacco. So, they mainly banned all of the far less hazardous SMOKE-FREE tobacco and vaping products. Unbelievable.
Does the @SDCityCouncil appreciate it when their decisions are influenced by special interests who intentionally seek to mislead you?
cc/ @chrisjcate and @vivianmorenoSD pic.twitter.com/uU5CqS9yhI
— StefanDidak (@StefanDidak) April 27, 2022
READ MORE: SD City Council Bans Sale of Flavored Tobacco — Effective Jan. 1, 2023
RESEARCH // Smoking Declines: Information or Tobacco Control?
Dr. Carl Philips and Dr. Marewa Glover have published a paper reviewing what impact–if any–Tobacco Control efforts have had on smoking rates since the Surgeon General’s report in 1965. We recommend reading Dr. Phillips’ breakdown in his Twitter thread:
A thread about my new-ish paper with @MarewaGlover, https://t.co/y2M3lWOk2k.
Summary: It appears likely that almost all — perhaps all — reductions in smoking in the West from c.1975-2010 were echoes of the initial education campaign about the risks.
1/— Carl V Phillips PhD (@carlvphillips) April 20, 2022
READ MORE: How Much Ongoing Smoking Reduction is an Echo of the Initial Mass Education?
AROUND THE WORLD // Hong Kong Ban Panic
Vapers and IQOS users in rushed to stock up before the ban on the products took effect Saturday. The Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health continued its misinformation campaign as 90% of surveyed consumers say they’ll just go back to smoking cigarettes.
This is depressing. One can only imagine the stress these folks–people just trying to reduce their risks–are experiencing in the lead up to prohibition. For their sake, I hope they don't have to wait long for illicit supply chains to fill the gap. https://t.co/fJYQQOReJI
— michelleminton (@michelleminton) April 26, 2022
READ MORE: Smokers rush to stock up before e-cig ban starting Saturday
CASAA IN ACTION // Twitter Spaces
Join us this week as we discuss the end of youth smoking with Dr. Marewa Glover.
https://twitter.com/CASAAmedia/status/1519005512196452352
CASAA IN ACTION // CASAA Live
If you missed the most recent CASAA Live show, 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!
This week we had Dr. Colin Mendelsohn, one of Australia’s leading experts on smoking & vaping, to discuss the impact of worldwide misinformation campaigns on public health policies.
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: