Washington County, OR. vaping flavor ban put on hold. Calls to Action for Maine, Washington State and Alaska. Heads up Hawaii. Commentary from Clive Bates. Another vape study and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALL TO ACTION // Maine
LD 1693, a bill aspiring to advance health equity, also contains a ban on sales of any flavored tobacco and vapor products–many of which are helping adults quit smoking!
Due to the weather, the hearing has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb 9th at 10:00 AM!
TAKE ACTION: Maine – Stop a Flavor Ban!
CALL TO ACTION // Washington State
SB 5768 would grant Secretary of Health broad authority to ban flavors, establish a nicotine cap and much more. All without ensuring public debate about potentially harmful regulations. Public hearing Jan. 31 at 1:30 PM!
TAKE ACTION: Washington-Stop Unelected Health Officials From Banning Flavored Vapor Products
CALL TO ACTION // Portland, Maine
The Portland City Council is moving forward with a proposal to ban the sale of all flavored vapor and tobacco products. First Reading of this ordinance took place on Wednesday, January 19!
TAKE ACTION: Portland, Maine: Stop a Flavor Ban
CALL TO ACTION // Washington State
If enacted, HB 1676 would impose one of, if not the highest retail taxes on vapor products in the country. A 33% tax would be paid on hardware, tanks, coils, batteries, and e-liquid. Take action NOW!
TAKE ACTION: Washington State Stop a Tax Hike on Vapor Products
CALL TO ACTION // Alaska
UPDATE // Washington County, Oregon
HEADS UP // Hawaii
SB 3118 would ban all vape flavors except “tobacco” flavor (which these bans never describe) and prohibits labeling nicotine e-liquids as “nicotine-free” (we’re not sure why they think companies would waste profits by adding nicotine to e-liquid when they don’t have to.)
READ MORE: Will Hawai‘i lawmakers finally ban flavored tobacco products?
RESEARCH // Toxic Metals
Once again a study reports finding “metals,” but fails to compare the levels found to cigarette smoke–which would be the alternative exposure for the vast majority of adult vapers who switched from smoking. Maybe they should try researching the definition of “significantly safer” vs. “safe”?
@Clive_Bates
Article discussing the preliminary results from the EMIT study https://t.co/a2GEPAW51I
The EMIT study concludes in June 2022https://t.co/oi3Vmpneux
It is going to claim harmful metal exposure from e-cigs. Need your expert analysis if you haven't already covered it— Freedom of Choice (@LanceChurchill) February 1, 2022
READ MORE: E-cigarettes expose users to toxic metals such as arsenic, lead
CASAA IN ACTION // CASAA LIVE
Did you miss the CASAA Live show this Saturday? Catch the replay now! Join us on Twitter, YouTube or Facebook Saturdays at 4:30 PM Eastern/3:30 PM Central/1:30 PM Pacific time!
COMMENTARY // War on Addiction
We have long wielded the concept of addiction as a weapon, using it to wage war—not just ‘on drugs’ but also on people who use drugs.”
~Carl Erik Fisher in ‘The Urge: Our History of Addiction’
READ MORE: Is This Your Brain On Drugs?
COMMENTARY // Prohibition Fails
A prohibition does not make a product disappear, even if that’s what politicians and policymakers would like. Instead, a prohibition is a perturbation of a dynamic market: a disruption that reconfigures the behavior of suppliers and consumers, changing who supplies the product, what products are available and under what terms.”
~ Clive Bates
"Banning #vaping and heated-#tobacco products is equivalent to campaigners against sexually transmitted diseases pressing for the #prohibition of #condoms in the hope that it that it would deter #sex by making it more dangerous." @Clive_Bates@INNCOorg https://t.co/PkFUIL5ADG
— Ethan Nadelmann (@ethannadelmann) February 2, 2022
READ MORE: The Evil Twins
IN THE NEWS // Tobacco Control
Reminiscent of Dark Age superstitions & modern conspiracy theories, scientists at Vectura–who have spent years producing drugs treating asthma & COPD–are essentially being “excommunicated” by “scientific” medical societies. Guilty only by association.
This is such a bias to not allow the scientist to publish what they found. I guess the hate will blind some to ignore the science. Wouldn't it be better to debate the science than just ignore it?
— Mark Anton (@Vaporadvocate) February 1, 2022
READ MORE: Tobacco publishing ban for researchers at industry-owned firms
IN THE NEWS // FDA Lawsuits
Breaking News! The 11th Circuit US Court of Appeals has agreed to stay enforcement of FDA marketing denial orders (MDO) for four more vapor product companies. We will keep you updated as we learn more!
Three companies didn’t request a stay. But the stay is good news for all of the petitioners, because it means the court found likelihood of success on the merits, and all of my clients (incl 2 who didn’t move for stay) are making same arguments on the merits
— Jerad Najvar (@NajvarLaw) February 1, 2022
IN THE NEWS // Senator Dick Durbin
Senator Durbin is once again caught lying about vaping. JUUL stopped selling its so-called “kid-friendly” flavors (cucumber, creme, mint and mango) way back in 2018 and no “Big Tobacco” company ever sold “candy” flavors, yet Senator Durbin still falsely claims they “target American children.”
For far too long, Big Tobacco and companies like JUUL has been allowed to target American children with their dangerous and addictive vaping products. I’m live on the Senate floor, calling on @US_FDA to finally take action on e-cigarettes. https://t.co/iBtgizC0rh
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) February 2, 2022
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: