Heads Up – News – Updates 8.6.2019

Posted on August 7, 2019 by admin

WAUWATOSA, WISCONSIN: (URGENT HEADS UP!) City considering 7:30 PM TONIGHT to treat vaping the same as smoking, without any evidence of harm to bystanders, and denying business owners right to allow vaping. Next will be outdoors and in private residences.

Wauwatosa To Consider New Vaping Ordinance: Report

ROCKLAND, MAINE: (HEADS UP!) Aug. 12th vote to ban smoking and VAPING OUTDOORS, without any evidence vaping is even a risk to bystanders INDOORS, banning outdoors is patently ridiculous. This is where agreeing to vaping included in smoking bans is leading us.

Public hearing and final vote expected in September.

Rockland considers smoking ban for city parks – By Stephen Betts

CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) City considering banning use of ALL nicotine and tobacco products (even those that don’t expose bystanders to vapor or smoke) on all indoor and OUTDOOR public property. Don’t support laws that are NOT EVIDENCE-BASED!

Council to consider ban on tobacco use

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

Posted in All posts, Crawfordsville, e cigarettes, Indiana, Maine, News, news-all, Rockland, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 8.6.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 8.5.2019

Posted on August 6, 2019 by admin

BOULDER, COLORADO: (URGENT CALL TO ACTION!) Ordinances that would limit availability of and access to safer alternatives to smoking will be introduced TOMORROW (Tues., August 6th at 7 PM). Make plans to attend and speak at this meeting!

CO – Boulder: Stop a Flavor Ban, Taxes, and Tobacco 21 – CASAA

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Even with Tobacco 21 since Jan. 2016 and banning public use, Hawaii reportedly has #2 youth vaping rate in the US. So much for “effective, evidence-based policies.” Now they want to ban flavors that help adults avoid smoking relapse.

US surgeon general raises alarm about high rates of vaping among Hawaii kids

WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!) Tobacco 21 law to prevent TEEN smoking/vaping will also deny ADULTS 18-20, who already smoke or vape access to far safer, low risk alternatives to smoking. NO ONE should be denied access to products that help them keep from smoking!

WI rep. wants to raise age for tobacco, nicotine use to 21

OPINION: (Michelle Minton) FDA can save lives by rejecting Scott Gottlieb’s bad recommendations

“The tactical phrasing of “tobacco use” made the public think that teen use of cigarettes had increased, which is not the case.”

FDA can save lives by rejecting Scott Gottlieb’s bad recommendations

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Watch smoking laws closely. Without ANY evidence, they are increasingly being applied to vaping and even smoke-free tobacco (which definitely doesn’t impact bystanders.) After smoking and vaping, what’s next?

First they came for the smokers…

IN THE NEWS: Dayton, Ohio Ban on Smokers, Vapers Hiring Draws Massive Public Outrage Among Worker Unions. Most of the employees are opposing the new bill and are planning to take it to the court.

Ohio City’s Ban on Smokers, Vapers Hiring Draws Massive Public Outrage Among Worker Unions ~ Hiptoro

OPINION: (Liam Sigaud) “By equating the health risks of e-cigarettes and combustible cigarettes and failing to acknowledge the different relative risks of these products, authority figures are doing a disservice to the millions of smokers who may be seeking a safer alternative but are misled into believing there is no health benefit from switching to e-cigarettes. The consequences of these actions are clear: Fewer smokers will quit and more will die..”

Misleading information on e-cigarettes risks lives

OPINION: (Amanda Wheeler) “Boulder misses the mark on e-cigarettes…all of these new taxes, bans, and restrictions on e-cigarettes have unintended consequences…eliminate the safer alternative while leaving traditional cigarettes in stores.”

Opinion: Boulder misses the mark on e-cigarettes

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

Posted in All posts, Boulder, Colorado, Dayton, e cigarettes, News, news-all, Ohio, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 8.5.2019

Vapor, Smokeless Tobacco, and New Nicotine Taxes – Talking Points

Posted on August 5, 2019 by admin

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS

1) Share your experience with switching to vapor products. If affordability compared to continuing to smoke was a motivating factor for trying vaping or other smoke-free products, be sure to include that in your comments. Conversely, if the already high initial cost of these products delayed your initial purchase, highlight this instead. Be sure to include any changes in your health that you’ve experienced as a result of switching to safer nicotine or tobacco products.

2) Taxes on traditional cigarettes are intended to discourage use. But, e-cigarettes and other smoke-free tobacco products are estimated to be 98 – 99% less harmful than smoking, discouraging use is counter to the goals of reducing smoking rates.

3) Other governments are taking exactly the opposite approach. Public Health England (the government public health agency) recently explicitly endorsed a policy of encouraging people who smoke to switch to e-cigarettes and vapor products (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/e-cigarettes-an-evidence-update).

4) Sin taxes are regressive. People who smoke and those who switch to vaping and other smoke-free alternatives are disproportionately poor and low income people. Sin taxes place unnecessary burdens on an already financially challenged group. To make matters worse, people in the low-income bracket are less likely to be insured and lack access to health care providers. The affordable resources available to these people have low success rates.

5) Imposing a tax on these products will drive consumers to shop in neighboring states that do not have a similar tax. At the same time, consumers will be encouraged to shop online for better deals, sending even more money out of the community. Local businesses will not be able to compete, be forced to close their doors, and jobs will be lost. This is bad for the city/state and will result in less revenue, not more.

6) It is important to note that vapor products are already subject to a general sales tax. 

7) Taxing smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products in a manner similar to how combustible tobacco products are taxed sends a confusing and inaccurate message to would-be adopters that these two very different products present similar risks. The result of this message is that more people, those that otherwise would have switched to a smoke-free product, will be encouraged to continue smoking.

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: Alex Clark

Posted in All posts, e cigarettes, News, Nicotine Tax, Smokeless Tax, Smokeless Tobacco, Talking Points, Tool Box, Vaping, Vaping News, vapor tax | Comments Off on Vapor, Smokeless Tobacco, and New Nicotine Taxes – Talking Points

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.31.2019

Posted on August 1, 2019 by admin

COMMENTARY: (Dr. Brad Rodu) “Make no mistake: the [House Committee on Oversight and Reform JUUL] hearings were about congressional grandstanding, not a discussion of what really threatens American teens.”

http://bit.ly/2YzDfcy

IN THE NEWS: Dayton, OH dictates what LEGAL activities employees may do in their OFF-TIME. Using ANY nicotine product, regardless of lack of health risks, is now grounds for denial of employment with the city. Imagine outcry if it was alcohol or caffeine!

Dayton stops hiring smokers, vapers; union worries about ‘slippery slope’

IN THE NEWS: WSJ reports that more than 13 million in US now vape, with well over 50% vaping exclusively. With cigarette sales declining faster than expected, it’s crystal clear that over 7 million “just anecdotes” have used vaping to quit smoking.

Marlboro Maker Hit by Slowdown in Cigarette Sales

PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA: (HEADS UP!) On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Board of Supervisors will vote on whether to regulate low risk smoke-free products the same as cigarettes, including denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer alternatives!

Pima County may increase tobacco purchasing age

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

Posted in All posts, Arizona, Brad Rodu, Dayton, e cigarettes, News, news-all, Ohio, pima county, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.31.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.25.2019

Posted on July 26, 2019 by admin

KENTUCKY: (HEADS UP!) Proposed 27.5% tax on vapor products to reduce “vaping among teens and pregnant mothers” and raise “badly needed revenue.” But vape taxes shown to INCREASE pregnant teen smoking and fewer ADULT vapers means LOWER tax revenue!

High School smoking dropped from 24.1% to 14.3% (2011-2017) while vaping dropped from 23.4% to 14.1% (2015-2017). Adult smoking dropped 29% to 24.6% (2012-2018). KY should be more worried about that 24.6% adult smoking rate and keep vaping more affordable than smoking!

Tax on e-cigarettes proposed to curb the soaring youth vaping in Kentucky

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA: (UPDATE) City passes Tobacco/Vapor 21, denying adults 19-20 who smoke access to safer alternatives. Including vapor products in laws meant to deter youth smoking misleads the public on relative risks and obstructs smoking cessation.

Anchorage raises age to buy tobacco products to 21 – Alaska Public Media

MINNESOTA: (UPDATE) Without any evidence of harm to bystanders, statewide public vaping ban goes into effect August 1st. Such bans mislead public to believe vaping has high health risks, making them more willing to pass flavor/sales bans and higher taxes.

Law prohibiting indoor vaping goes into effect statewide Aug. 1

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

Posted in Alaska, All posts, anchorage, e cigarettes, Kentucky, Minnesota, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.25.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.23.2019

Posted on July 24, 2019 by admin

RICHMOND, CALIFORNIA: (URGENT CALL TO ACTION!) City considering banning safer tobacco & vapor products like the law in San Francisco. Scheduled for introduction TONIGHT at 6:30 PM. Opportunity for public comment at 5:30 PM!

Richmond, CA is moving toward the new vaping prohibition – CASAA

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Get the FACTS from a 10 year vaper and advocate.

“First, I want to say that TODAY IS MY TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF QUITTING SMOKING. I can say with 100% certainty that, without vapor products, I’d still be smoking today. And I’m horrified and terrified that these low risk products may soon not be available for people who vape or still smoke, while cigarettes remain freely sold…”

Read More: Glimpses Through The Mist: It’s My 10 Year Smoke-free Anniversary and I’m Terrified

THE MORE YOU KNOW: FDA makes commercials showing vapor products “magically” turning into cigarettes. It takes magical thinking to claim vaping is a gateway to smoking for youth when high school smoking has DECLINED 17.2% to 8.1% (2009-2018) despite vaping.
FDA Uses Magic Tricks In First TV Ads To Prevent Teens From Vaping

OPINION: (Steve Pociask, American Consumer Institute) “It’s time for policymakers and regulators in the U.S. to stop demonizing vaping and acknowledge that e-cigarettes can help millions of smokers live longer, healthier lives.”

E-Cigarettes Could the Save the Lives of Millions of Smokers. Why Aren’t We Talking About It?

RESEARCH: After decades of telling folks that cigarette companies are “adding chemicals to tobacco that make cigarettes more addictive/harmful,” they’re now surprised people believe “additive-free” or “organic” cigarettes are less addictive/harmful.

No, Natural American Spirits are not better for you, say Minnesota scientists | City Pages

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

Posted in All posts, California, Call to Action, e cigarettes, FDA, flavor ban, News, news-all, Research, Richmond, Smokeless Tobacco, Steve Pociask, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.23.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.18.2019

Posted on July 19, 2019 by admin

THE MORE YOU KNOW: If a teen vaping “epidemic” was creating adults who smoke, the 18-24 age group would be seeing a smoking INCREASE. But Dr. Brad Rodu explains that (according to CDC data) exclusive smoking & dual use in that group have both DECLINED by around 50% from 2014 to 2018. Where is evidence of a “gateway?”

Tobacco Truth: As Young Adult Smoking Evaporates, “Teen Vaping Epidemic” Appears Overblown

ADVOCACY: Listen to CASAA CEO Alex Clark, discussing the new anti-vaping laws in Maryland & Virginia, and higher tobacco/vapor taxes in D.C, vs Matt Meyers from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids on The Kojo Nnamdi Show!

https://thekojonnamdishow.org/audio/#/shows/2019-07-18/the-state-of-smoking-in-the-region/114764/@00:00

CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO: (UPDATE) City still sending a 40% tax on vapor and smoke-free products to voters this fall, but exempt nicotine-free liquids and hardware. A $25/60 ml bottle would cost $35 which, for many people, will be about same cost as cigarettes even with the new $3 cigarette tax.

Council pulls back on proposed tobacco and nicotine tax – The Crested Butte News

OHIO: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE) State budget passes including a 10¢/mL vape tax & denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives. A 60 ml bottle would be taxed $6 + sales tax, so a $25 product will now be about $33 which, for many people, will be more than cost of the equivalent in cigarettes.

$69B state budget with tax cuts, health-care transparency on way to approval

CHAMBLEE, GEORGIA: City BANS smoking and VAPING EVERYWHERE except residential streets (for now) & single family homes. ANTZ once said “There’s no slippery slope! We just want separate areas in restaurants.” But now, some people can’t even LEGALLY vape in their OWN RESIDENCE!

Metro city passes restrictive smoking ban, stricter than Atlanta’s

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

Posted in Alex Clark, All posts, Brad Rodu, Chamblee, Colorado, Crested Butte, e cigarettes, Georgia, News, news-all, Ohio, public use ban, Smokeless Tobacco, vape ban, vape tax, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.18.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.17.2019

Posted on July 18, 2019 by admin

OHIO: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATE!) HB 166 was NOT amended to remove a 10¢/mL tax on e-liquid that would unjustifiably charge people extra for making the responsible decision to switch to vaping and stop smoking. We have roughly 24 hours to get as many phone calls and emails to Governor Mike DeWine urging him to VETO THE VAPOR TAX!

OH – Stop Extra Taxes on Vaping!

NEW YORK & DELAWARE: (UPDATE) States raised age to purchase tobacco to 21, but also denied adults 18-20 who smoke access to low risk products that actually help them quit smoking. These laws have so far failed to reduce illegal youth use in other cities and states.

New York: Governor Cuomo signs legislation to raise smoking age to 21 statewide
Delaware: Delaware Raises Legal Age For Smoking, Buying Tobacco Products From 18 To 21

CARMEL, INDIANA: (UPDATE) With NO EVIDENCE of risk to bystanders, city treats vaping same as smoking by banning use in most public places. Takes away businesses’ CHOICE to cater to vapers, misleads public on risks & justifies future sin taxes/flavor bans.

Carmel votes to ban e-cigarettes from most public places

IN THE NEWS: Study linking vaping to heart attacks muddied amid spat between two tobacco researchers. Harm Reduction expert Brad Rodu (@BradRodu) takes on false claims and bad science put out by long-time ANTZ (Anti Nicotine and Tobacco Zealot) Stanton Glantz (@ProfGlantz).

Study linking vaping to heart attacks muddied amid spat between two tobacco researchers

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

Posted in All posts, Brad Rodu, Call to Action, Carmel, Delaware, e cigarettes, Indiana, New York, News, news-all, Ohio, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, Stanton Glantz, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.17.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.16.2019

Posted on July 17, 2019 by admin

IN THE NEWS: (FDA) A judge ruled Friday that vapor product companies must submit applications to FDA by May 2020. Products pending applications may stay on market up to one year while FDA considers their applications, but FDA also given “discretion.”

Bloomberg – Are you a robot?

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (NEVADA) Smoking rates (which were already declining, possibly b/c of vaping) barely budged since initially dropping after 2015 law more than doubled the cigarette tax. Now a 30% VAPE TAX will ensure even FEWER PEOPLE WILL QUIT SMOKING.

Has Nevada’s cigarette tax hike worked? 2015 law could offer clues for new vaping tax

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (RESEARCH) Study finds adults who vape more likely to quit smoking, but say former smokers who vape more likely to relapse. This ignores the fact that relapse is common & those facing relapse likely just tried vaping “cigalikes” first! Unlikely that a former smoker who doesn’t feel an urge to smoke would even buy a vapor product.

Adults who vape are more likely to quit cigarettes, study finds – CNN

BOULDER CITY, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Boulder City Council meeting at 6 p.m. TONIGHT (7/16) to discuss possible flavor ban, Tobacco/Vapor 21 and other restrictions on vapor products that would severely limit adult access to far safer products!

Boulder Valley School District parent group urging Boulder City Council to regulate e-cigarettes

RESEARCH: U.S. National Institutes of Health survey study, published July 15 in the journal Substance Use & Misuse, suggests banning flavors and lowering nicotine levels in vapor products is “a strategy that could backfire.”

http://bit.ly/2XO0Dnd

SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI: (HEADS UP!) Council to VOTE TONIGHT on denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer alternatives. Local doctor says “Adults who are wanting to quit smoking are not interested in flavors,” but FDA-approved Nicorette apparently disagrees.

City council to vote on regulations regarding Tobacco 21

VENTURA, CALIFORNIA: (HEADS UP!) City moving towards flavor/online sales bans, irrationally removing safer alternatives to smoking from the market, while leaving cigarettes and other combustible products freely sold throughout the city!

Ventura moves toward banning flavored tobacco, in shops and online

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

Posted in All posts, Boulder City, California, Colorado, e cigarettes, FDA, Missouri, Nevada, News, news-all, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, springfield, Vaping, Vaping News, Ventura | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.16.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.12.2019

Posted on July 13, 2019 by admin

MASSACHUSETTS: (CALL TO ACTION!) Bill S 1279, banning the sale of flavored vapor & other smoke-free products, is scheduled for a public hearing on TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019,1:00 PM-5:00 PM. Law would protect sales of cigarettes by removing competitors.

MA – Stop a Flavor Ban (S. 1279)

CRESTED BUTTE, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) City letting voters decide on adding a 40% tax on vapor products and an ADDITIONAL 40% tax on low risk tobacco products that are already taxed at 40% by the state. Next council discussion is July 15th!

Nicotine tax debated by Crested Butte Town Council – The Crested Butte News

IN THE NEWS: CDC cigarette nicotine content survey proves that if you tell a lie frequently and long enough, people will believe that nicotine dependency is the main smoking health risk. Yet studies following nicotine therapy for Parkinson’s and ulcerative colitis show no addiction in patients after therapy is discontinued….

CDC says 8 in 10 US adults support limiting nicotine in cigarettes as FDA preps new rules

HARM REDUCTION: Will an E-Cigarette Ban Do More Harm Than Good?
NYU public health experts argue that measures intended to prevent teen vaping could make it tougher for tobacco smokers to quit; make teens more likely to smoke combustible cigarettes/cigars.

Will an E-Cigarette Ban Do More Harm Than Good?

BRECKENRIDGE, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) City considering taxing low risk vapor products, raising the cost of lifesaving products for adults who smoke/vape, but unlikely to deter teens with disposable income.

Breckenridge Town Council agrees to explore nicotine tax, age increase to address public health concern

RESEARCH: Studies find that passage of minimal legal sale age laws that reduce access to vapor products and indoor vaping restriction laws are leading to increased cigarette use by pregnant teens who smoke.

E-cigarette Regulations Increase Prenatal Cigarette Use Among Teen Smokers, Study Shows – Georgia State University News – Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Research, University Research

MAIDEN, NORTH CAROLINA: (UPDATE) In spite of opposition, town has banned the use of smoke-free, low risk vapor products OUTDOORS at any park or rec area because…cigarette butts and kids.

Town of Maiden bans smoking, vaping in public parks

IN THE NEWS: Surprise! Wisconsinites are quitting smoking due to high taxes and public use bans, so revenue is way down. Now they’re taxing vapor products – the very products helping reduce smoking – to make up the losses. Clearly, it’s not about health!

Fewer people are smoking cigarettes, so state tax revenue is down. Now, Wisconsin will tax e-cigs.

CATTARAUGUS COUNTY, NEW YORK: (HEADS UP!) Even with “proven effective to halt youth use” Tobacco/Vapor 21 & indoor use laws already in place, Board of Health now calling for lawmakers to ban sales of flavored vapor products in the county. Give an inch…

Board of Health recommends flavored nicotine ban to curb number of young ‘vapers’

COLUMBIA COUNTY, GEORGIA: ANTZ groups pushing to treat vaping like smoking in public use ban. These laws increasingly include OUTDOOR spaces and PRIVATE RESIDENCES, take away business owners’ options and DON’T prevent worse laws like flavor bans/taxes.

Community organizations pushing for e-cigarettes to be added to smoke free ordinance

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

Posted in All posts, Breckenridge, Cattaraugus County, CDC, Colorado, Columbia County, Crested Butte, e cigarettes, Georgia, Maiden, New York, News, news-all, North Carolina, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.12.2019