Heads Up – News – Updates 4.12.2019

Posted on April 17, 2019 by admin
DELAWARE: (UPDATE) House denies some ADULTS who already smoke or #vape access to far safer alternative products and will likely use law as justification for adding taxes and further regs later. Tell Gov to VETO!CASAA on T21: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

‘Critical Time To Protect Our Youth’: Delaware House Approves Raising Legal Age To Buy Tobacco Products To 21

ARKANSAS: (UPDATE) In order to fund income tax cuts for lower income citizens & encourage smoking cessation, gov’t irrationally increasing cost of the most effective smoking cessation products available to lower income citizens with 67% “privilege tax.”

Ark. House Passes Income Tax Cut, Electric Cigarette Tax – Law360

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Researcher Dr. Daniela Berg, head of the Clinic for Neurology at Kiel University, says research has found that, besides diet & exercise, there is “hardly anything other than nicotine that has been found to protect against Parkinson’s.”

Does nicotine actually help protect against Parkinson’s disease? | DW | 11.04.2019

WISCONSIN: Watch the 2nd Joint Committee on Finance Budget 2019 Public Hearing from this past Wednesday held in Oak Creek. This will give advocates an idea of what our opposition is saying in support of the 71% retail and floor tax and against vaping. The Committee is giving speakers just 2 minutes, so be sure to bring a written comment to hand in.

Hearing link: https://wiseye.org/2019/04/10/joint-committee-on-finance-budget-2019-public-hearing-in-oak-creek/

Vaping discussed at around 1:58, 2:13, 2:18, 2:52, 2:56, 3:05, 4:35, 4:36 & 8:14.

Next meeting is MONDAY, April 15th in River Falls, WI. ARRIVE EARLY TO SIGN UP! As you can see in the video, only one vaping advocate was allowed to speak at the very end.

Call to Action Link: http://www.casaa.org/call-to-action/wi-stop-an-outrageous-attack-on-vaping/

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Arkansas, Call to Action, Delaware, e cigarettes, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.12.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.11.2019

Posted on April 12, 2019 by admin
INDIANA: (CALL TO ACTON UPDATE!) HB 1444 has been amended to increase the proposed rate from 4¢ per mL of e-liquid to a 20% sales tax on liquids AND devices. This 20% “sin” tax is IN ADDITION TO the state’s existing 7% sales tax!

Click link to ACT NOW!

IN – Stop an extra tax on Vaping!

MASSACHUSETTS: (HEADS UP!) Rather than enforce existing laws against sales to minors, AG Healey calls for tax on e-cigs and banning vaping flavors, making them more expensive and less appealing to the adult smokers and vapers who need them.

AG Healey calls for taxing vaping products and banning flavors

COMMENTARY: “Enlightened societies subscribe to the principle of harm reduction, which emphasizes damage mitigation instead of ineffectual battles against human fallibility. We provide free condoms to teenagers, even if we’d prefer they wait to have sex.”

“In the long run, then, the tax will mean more smokers, which will mean more extended hospital stays and more premature death in Wisconsin.”

A sin tax, minus the sin

MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Human Services Committee voted unanimously this week to deny early adult #vapers and #smoker access to safer alternatives (and will likely use the law as justification for more restrictive laws and taxes in the future.)

Resolution raises vaping/tobacco age to 21 in Meriden

IN THE NEWS: Without a hint of irony, Rite Aid stops selling the low risk #vaping products that help adult smokers quit, stating it’s “for the children,” while leaving combustible cigarettes on shelves. (Apparently, they were only selling minors vapes?)

Rite Aid will start selling … products in 2 states, stop selling e-cigarettes in all stores

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) City divided over denying early adult #smokers and #vapers access to far safer alternatives. Let them know how you feel!

CASAA T21 statement: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Nashua residents divided on proposal to raise smoking age

FOND DU LAC, WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!) Rather than let businesses decide whether or not to allow vaping in their establishment, city is banning workplace vaping without any evidence of harm to bystanders. (Vape & tobacco shops exempted.)

4-11-19 fdl city council votes to ban e-cigarettes, vaping in all public buildings

SUFFOLK, NEW YORK: (UPDATE) County bans sale of all tobacco products in drug stores, allows sale of nicotine gums and patches, but not the #vaping products that have been shown to be 2x more effective in helping smokers quit.

https://bit.ly/2P5Rpen

THE MORE YOU KNOW: As predicted, one law only creates opportunity for more laws. After banning menthol in c-stores, tobacco shops more than doubled. Even though this works as intended, city now looking at more restrictions, such as total flavor bans.

Tobacco shops in Minneapolis doubled after menthol restrictions enacted, report finds

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, Connecticut, e cigarettes, Indiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.11.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.10.2019

Posted on April 11, 2019 by admin
OHIO: (CALL TO ACTION!) HB166 would deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping & #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)CASAA T21 statement: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qBOH – Stop Tobacco AND Vaping 21!

TENNESSEE: (HEADS UP!) SB0738 would deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping & #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

CASAA T21 statement: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Tennessee lawmakers push to raise cigarette and e-cigarette smoking age to 21

ADVOCACY: (VIDEO) Watch an interview with CASAA’s CEO, Alex Clark (@Hello_Alex ) discussing our fight to ensure the availability, efficacy and affordability of smoke-free alternatives.

[embedded content]

TEXAS: (UPDATE) SB21, which would deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping & #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later) passed in the Senate on Tuesday.

CASAA T21 statement: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Texas could soon increase the legal age to buy tobacco, though active military members might be exempt

WISCONSIN: (VIDEO) Watch & learn from anti-vaping testimony given in support of 71% tax & regulations to the Joint Committee on Finance on 4-3. (Comments at 2:06:30, 3:15:25 & 3:29:25) We’ll post today’s hearing when available. See our WI Call to Action!

https://t.co/EkEamfp58N

FLORIDA: (UPDATE) House Subcommittee voted 8-3 on Tuesday to block HB 1125, which would have legally defined vape products as “tobacco products.”

It’s already illegal to sell to minors. “I think we need less regulation, less government” — Rep. Sabatini.

Florida House panel rejects nicotine measure

MASSACHUSETTS: (UPDATE) Thanks to the hard work of advocates, House Ways and Means Committee wisely opts AGAINST expanding tobacco excise taxes to e-cigarettes and vapor products (40% excise and 13.75% sales tax).

Massachusetts House Budget Chops Baker’s Taxes, Boosts Local Aid

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, e cigarettes, FL, Massachusetts, News, news-all, Ohio, Smokeless Tobacco, Tennessee, Texas, Texasorida, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.10.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.9.2019

Posted on April 10, 2019 by admin
OREGON: (CALL TO ACTION!) Three bills have been introduced that would enact 70% & 95% taxes on vapor products. PUBLIC HEARINGS on APRIL 10th & 11th.

ATTEND THESE HEARINGS & TAKE ACTION NOW!!

OR – Stop an Outrageous Tax on Vaping!

MAINE: (CALL TO ACTION!) LD 1028, which would impose an 81% wholesale tax on vapor products, is scheduled for a PUBLIC HEARING on THURS., APRIL 11th.

ATTEND THIS HEARING & TAKE ACTION NOW!

ME – Stop an Outrageous Tax on Vaping!

IN THE NEWS: (CASAA) We encourage Walgreens to resist the pressure to deny people who smoke or vape access to far safer alternatives. Read our letter to them here: http://www.casaa.org/news/walgreens-resist-calls-to-deny-people-access-to-safer-alternatives/

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (Filter Mag) As FDA Suggests E-Cigs Causes Seizures, US Public Is Increasingly Misinformed About Tobacco Harm Reduction

“This latest move from FDA looks like nothing more than abstinence-only fear-mongering.” — David Sweanor

https://bit.ly/2G03v4x

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, e cigarettes, Maine, News, news-all, Oregon, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.9.2019

Walgreens, resist calls to deny people access to safer alternatives.

Posted on April 9, 2019 by admin

On February 7, 2019, the now former FDA Commissioner, Scott Gottlieb, filed a complaint seeking a No Tobacco Sales Order (NTSO) for a Walgreens location in Miami, FL. A primary concern expressed in Dr. Gottlieb’s statement is that Walgreens–a health-and-wellness-minded business–has racked up almost 1800 violations for selling any tobacco product to minors since 2010. While all retailers have the power to prevent illegal sales to minors, and should have comprehensive training programs in place for their employees, Walgreens is being singled out due to its standing as the second largest pharmacy in the U.S.; second only to CVS, which chose to discontinue sales of all tobacco products, including low-risk products such as vapor and smokeless tobacco products in 2014.

___________________

Dear Walgreens,

We write in response to escalating calls for Walgreens to discontinue sales of ALL tobacco products–including safer alternatives to combustible tobacco. While we take no position on the sale of combustible tobacco products, we believe that Walgreens recognizes the tremendous potential of safer nicotine products to benefit public health, and we urge you to continue the sale of smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products.

The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit consumer organization with an all-volunteer board of directors and a grassroots membership of more than 250,000 individuals from all walks of life. We are dedicated to ensuring the availability of low-risk alternatives to smoking, and to providing the public with honest information about safer nicotine and tobacco products. Since our founding in 2009, we have educated the public and increased awareness about the benefits of low-risk alternatives to smoking, including vapor products and smokeless tobacco. We advocate for responsible policies designed to improve public health by recognizing that smoke-free nicotine-containing products are inherently safer than smoking. We believe that harm reduction is a necessary strategy to substantially reduce the disease and early death attributed to smoking.

Pursuant to our mission, CASAA is publicly stating our support for Walgreens and all other retailers that choose to sell low-risk, smoke-free alternatives to combustible tobacco products, including vapor products and smokeless tobacco. We believe that Walgreens has an opportunity to strike a balance between promoting safer alternatives to combustible tobacco to people who smoke while, at the same time, implementing common sense–yet robust–age verification protocols at the point of sale.

According to a recent study examining smoking cessation efficacy published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people who use vapor products in combination with smoking cessation counseling are twice as likely to stop smoking completely compared to those who use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in combination with counseling. Similarly, researchers from the School of Population Health at The University of Queensland studying smokeless tobacco state that switching to a smoke-free product “can realise substantial health gains,” and that switching completely to smokeless tobacco “could produce a net benefit to health at the population level if it is adopted in sufficient numbers.” We believe that prominently featuring smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products to people who smoke supports Walgreens’ goal of promoting the health and well-being of the customers and communities it serves.

Many people who currently smoke, or used to smoke, live in areas where, due to socioeconomic factors, there is a lack of specialty vapor or tobacco retailers that carry these low-risk products. With over 9,500 stores across the United States, Walgreens has the ability to provide these safer alternatives to people who may otherwise not have access.

For the foregoing reasons CASAA strongly encourages Walgreens to resist calls for removing tobacco products from its stores. Instead, we urge Walgreens and other large retailers to continue offering low-risk alternatives to smoking to their customers and recommend featuring these products more prominently than combustible tobacco products.

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: Alex Clark

Posted in All posts, e cigarettes, News, open letter, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Walgreens | Comments Off on Walgreens, resist calls to deny people access to safer alternatives.

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.8.2019

Posted on April 9, 2019 by admin
LOUISIANA: (CALL TO ACTION!) A bill, HB 38, that would deny people who smoke between the ages of 18 – 21 access to safer alternatives is waiting to be scheduled for a hearing in the House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice. ACT NOW!

Louisiana – Stop Tobacco AND Vaping 21!

WISCONSIN: (CALL TO ACTION!) Stop outrageous 71% retail AND floor tax in Governor’s proposed budget! THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS scheduled in April (next is 4/10). Please plan to attend & speak or submit written comment. Most effective advocacy is to SHOW UP!!

WI – Stop an outrageous tax on vaping!

WASHINGTON: (CALL TO ACTION!) Stop extra taxes on life-saving products! Amended bill would tax both sales AND existing inventory of vapor and heat-not-burn products. ACT NOW!

WA – Stop extra taxes on life-saving products!

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI: (HEADS UP!) Some businesses are apparently too helpless to ban vaping for themselves in their business, so ask city officials to deny ALL businesses the freedom to allow vaping. Oppose indoor bans that mislead public to think it’s as hazardous as smoking!

City considering adding E-Cigs, vape pens to smoking ban ordinance

ILLINOIS: (UPDATE) State becomes first in midwest to deny early adult #smokers access to far safer alternatives. WARNING: the inefficacy of such laws will open door to harsher regulation and taxes.

CASAA T21 statement:

‘Tobacco 21’: Pritzker Signs New Bill Raising Minimum Age

IN THE NEWS: (CASAA) We are pleased and honored to announce some welcome additions to our Board of Directors: Doug Carter, Danielle Jones and Chad Jones. Please welcome them to the team!

CASAA Announces New Board Members – CASAA

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, e cigarettes, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi. Washington, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.8.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.5.2019

Posted on April 7, 2019 by admin
IOWA: (CALL TO ACTION!) SF 607 would deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)CASAA T21 statement: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

IA – Protect everyone’s access to safer alternatives to smoking!

WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!!) There will be THREE more PUBLIC HEARINGS by Joint Committee on Finance public hearings on the Governor’s 2019-21 Biennial Budget around the state (see linked document for dates and locations.)

The governor’s budget includes a 71% tax on the manufacture list price of vapor products, INCLUDING a “floor tax,” which means vape shops will be forced to pay 71% on all currently held inventory before it’s even sold.

Not only will this tax significantly increase consumer costs (a $20 bottle of e-liquid would cost $34 and a $60 device would cost $102), but vape shops could go out of business, unable to pay 71% on thousands of dollars of inventory. Additionally, ANY “sin tax” on vapor products not only misleads the public into thinking the products are a health threat, but can be used to justify additional restrictions and even higher taxes in the future.

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/raw/cid/1490347

CASAA will be issuing a Call to action that will allow residents to contact their representatives directly, but we also strongly urge you to try to attend one of the public hearings. Years of advocacy efforts have shown that nothing affects lawmakers more than strong and passionate feedback from their constituents!

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Children of parents who smoke have 3X smoking rate of kids of non-smokers. Most effective way to prevent these HIGHLY AT-RISK youth from smoking is HELPING THEIR PARENTS quit/switch, not limiting adult access with bans/taxes to “protect” already LOW RISK kids.

HAWAII: (UPDATE & HEADS UP!) Committee deferred a flavor ban bill, essentially tabling it until next session, however, they passed an outrageous 70% vape tax, which will move to the full legislature.

Watch your email or the state page for an updated CTA!

Push for tighter vaping restrictions fails in Hawaii

THE MORE YOU KNOW: “We don’t want to ban vapor products/vaping, we just want [sin tax/flavor restriction/indoor ban] to stop youth use.”

If you think conceding to their “reasonable” law will protect YOUR access to vapor products, just look back on history to understand their true endgame: to completely eliminate tobacco and nicotine use. Period.

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, e cigarettes, Hawaii, Iowa, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.5.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.3.2019

Posted on April 4, 2019 by admin
VERMONT: (CALL TO ACTION!) Stop H. 47, which would impose Vermont’s 92% OTP wholesale tax on vapor products (e-liquid and devices) and is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 2:30 PM.ACT NOW!VT – Stop an outrageous tax on Vaping!

FLORIDA: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!) SB 1618, denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer products AND requiring signature on delivery for vapor products, passed in committee (now exempts cigars.) ACT NOW!

CASAA T21 policy: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

FL – Stop unnecessary barriers to safer alternatives to smoking!

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (UK) Rhetorical question – Are teens in UK somehow unique or are reports of a US youth #vaping “epidemic” leading to teen smoking an intentional disinformation campaign? CDC holding full 2018 info, but known number’s still don’t add up.

Rise of vaping ‘does not lead to more teenagers smoking cigarettes’

MANKATO, MINNESOTA: If shops don’t fight flavor restrictions, thinking it’s a “win” for their business, it’s actually a “loss” for both public health and profits when smokers lose full access to safer alternatives & never become #vaping consumers at all.

Menthol ban added to Mankato’s Tobacco 21 ordinance

RESEARCH: The tragic consequences of the disinformation war on vaping now includes the fact that most Americans wrongly think that the products are as or more harmful than cigarettes. Anti-nicotine and tobacco zealots are celebrating this as a success.

More adults wrongly think vaping is worse than cigarettes – Futurity

AUSTIN, MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) City council votes to deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

https://m.austindailyherald.com/2019/04/council-raises-tobacco-purchasing-age-to-21/

OLMSTED COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS: (UPDATE) County votes to deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

https://myfox47.com/2019/04/02/olmsted-county-passes-tobacco-21-ordinance/

MILFORD & TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Cities vote to deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

CASAA T21 statement: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

https://bit.ly/2IdkgMj

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Headlines reporting “link” between vaping and seizures even though there really is no “link” shown at all. Could easily find just as many people who had a seizure after petting their cat. Likely gov’t fearmongering caused them to report seizure was from vaping.

“Nothing here suggests these seizures are caused by vaping, represent an elevation compared to background rate, or are higher than among smokers. @SGottliebFDA and @FDATobacco irresponsible and unscientific to do this without also looking the evidence on smoking and seizure risk.” 
—-Clive Bates, Director of Counterfactual, Director of Action on Smoking and Health (UK) 1997-2003.

TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT: (HEADS UP!) PUBLIC HEARING April 15 re: denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

CASAA T21 policy: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

https://bit.ly/2IapDvR

IN THE NEWS: “With vaping under fire, tobacco-free snuff latest alternative to help smokers quit”…but it contains nicotine & comes in adult-friendly, non-tobacco flavors, so won’t likely escape hysteria of the “ANTZ” (Anti-Nicotine & Tobacco Zealots.)

https://bit.ly/2FS3r6H

NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) City considers denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

CASAA T21 statement: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

https://bit.ly/2KeqqOK

MARYLAND: (UPDATE) Lawmakers pass bill with “veto-proof margins” denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products (& will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

CASAA T21 policy: https://bit.ly/2TWa2qB

https://bit.ly/2HXAR7o

THE MORE YOU KNOW: “Sharpless Shouldn’t Stop Snus, the Safer Swedish Smoking Alternative…if snus doesn’t meet the FDA’s standard for being a safer alternative to smoking, maybe nothing will.”

(Great article except inaccurate comment about seizures.)

https://bit.ly/2WIkRtu

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (NEW ZEALAND) Vape-friendly policies (compared to neighbor Australia and many in US) sees youth smoking decline without uptick in non-smoking youth vaping (as in UK.) Are NZ/UK youth unique or is panic elsewhere unwarranted? You decide.

https://bit.ly/2Vsmr2c

ADVOCACY: (TEXAS) College students call on their peers to stand up and fight back against intrusive government legislation that threatens their access to far safer alternatives to smoking, especially in light of 25.6% smoking rate vs 16.9% vaping rate.

http://dailytexanonline.com/2019/04/02/students-need-to-get-involved-oppose-e-cigarette-legislation

COMMENTARY: The “Moral Panic” of the Nicotine “Folk Devils”

“The main takeaway is that “moral panic” and knowing how to discharge it systematically is the common denominator to all instances of regulation and bans targeting lower-risk nicotine products.”

https://bit.ly/2UliFvq

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, Connecticut, e cigarettes, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Vermont | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.3.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 4.1.2019

Posted on April 2, 2019 by admin


Tobacco harm reduction news for April 1, 2019. Anti tobacco harm reduction laws in California, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Colorado, New York and Hawaii. Harm Reduction is no April Fool’s, children pay the price for adult panic.

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Almost 50% cancer patients can’t or won’t quit #smoking with NRT, while most who do quit end up relapsing. If #vaping & #smokefree reduced harm products are regulated/taxed out of existence, the only other option to quitting is dying.

Even cancer can’t get some to quit smoking

NOT AN APRIL FOOL’S JOKE: 45 million Americans still smoke. Millions are quitting with e-cigarettes. So the government wants higher taxes and more restrictions on…e-cigarettes?

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City bans flavored #vaping and #smokefree products because of fake “youth epidemic,” thereby making products far less appealing to higher risk adult smokers and vapers in the process.

San Anselmo approves ban on flavored tobacco – Marin Independent Journal

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Examples of harm reduction that don’t make things 100% safe incl. seat belts, bike helmets, clean needle exchanges, condoms, vaccines, chemotherapy, pasteurization, speed limits, parachutes, child-resistant caps…but safer “tobacco” products must be 100% safe?


MICHIGAN: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers want to increase cost of #vaping products by 81%. This would make a $25 item $45.25, removing the cost-savings incentive for high risk ADULT #smokers to make the switch & many will choose to keep smoking cheaper cigarettes!

Lawmakers consider tax increase on cigarettes, vaping products | 2019-03-29 | Grand Rapids Business Journal

IOWA: (HEADS UP!) Iowa lawmaker wants to deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products & will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.

Read CASAA’s position on Tobacco 21, here: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Should Iowa raise legal age to buy tobacco, vaping products?

IN THE NEWS: (AUSTRALIA) More evidence of the effectiveness of NRT. /sarcasm Smoking ban worked so well they have to ban the smoking treatment. Anti-tobacco zealots need to face the truth that bans don’t work. Where there’s a will, they’ll find a way.

Nicotine lozenges are to be banned in jail as prisoners were crushing them using pages of the BIBLE | Daily Mail Online

UPPER ARLINGTON, OHIO: (HEADS UP!) City discussing banning #vaping and products OUTDOORS in parks tonight at 7:30 PM. Expected to vote as soon as April 8.

Upper Arlington City Council to consider nicotine ban in city parks

IN THE NEWS: Schools giving long suspensions, “blacklisting” young students from enrollment based on #vaping product possession. Yet another tragic consequence of exaggerating the risks and punishing minors with the expectation they reason like adults.

Student banned from school for vaping. Then he was blacklisted by other Arizona schools

DENVER, COLORADO: (UPDATE) Meeting WEDNESDAY to discuss denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer products & will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.

Read CASAA’s position on Tobacco 21, here: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Denver City Council considers raising age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21

NEW YORK: (UPDATE) Gov. expected to sign ineffective law denying early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer products (also likely be used to “justify” more onerous laws later.)

Read CASAA’s position on Tobacco 21, here: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Legislature moves to raise age to 21 for tobacco purchases

HAWAII: (HEADS UP!) With “sure thing” Tobacco 21 law FAILING to make any significant impact, lawmakers move to “sure thing” ban of flavored #vaping, #smokefree products, despite the fact that research shows they’re important for ADULT ex-smoking #vapers.

Hawaii considers first statewide ban on e-cigarette flavors

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, California, Call to Action, Colorado, e cigarettes, Hawaii, Iowa, Michigan, New York, News, news-all, Ohio, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 4.1.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 3.29.2019

Posted on March 30, 2019 by admin


Tobacco harm reduction news for March 29, 2019. Updated Call to Action in Florida.  Anti tobacco harm reduction laws in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Denver, Colorado and Indiana.

FLORIDA: (CALL TO ACTON UPDATE!) SB 1618, a bill that would deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer products AND require a signature on delivery for vapor products, is scheduled for its second committee meeting on April 2 @ 10:00 AM. ACT NOW!

Read CASAA’s Tobacco 21statement here: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

FL – Stop unnecessary barriers to safer alternatives to smoking!

CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO: (UPDATE & HEADS UP!) City opts NOT to deny ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer products, but SUMMIT COUNTY is still pushing the measure and a vote could happen in early April.

CASAA T21 statement: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

Tobacco 21 issue goes up in smoke in Cuyahoga Falls

DENVER, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Cityseeks to deny early ADULT #smokers, #vapers access to safer #vaping, #smokefree products & will likely use that to “justify” more onerous laws later.

Read CASAA’s position on Tobacco 21, here: CASAA Tobacco 21 policy statement: “Including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise, misleading” – CASAA

New Denver proposal would ban tobacco sales to people under 21 years of age

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) Looking for easy revenue from #vaping consumers, Senate considers taxes ranging from 4¢/ml to 24% on retail cost to “create parity with #cigarettes.” Imagine if they tried to similarly tax alternatives like #nicotine gums/patches….

Senate debates taxing vape products | Indiana | Journal Gazette

If you’re on Facebook, please be sure to join your CASAA state group to help prevent anti-harm reduction laws like these from spreading through your state! CASAA.org – The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: KNoll-Marsh

Posted in All posts, Call to Action, Colorado, Cuyahoga Falls, Denver, e cigarettes, Florida, Indiana, News, news-all, Ohio, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 3.29.2019