Flavor Ban – Talking Points

Posted on July 12, 2019 by admin

Suggested Talking Points

1) Briefly, share your story about switching to vapor products. Be sure to mention the role, if any, that the variety of flavored vapor products played in your transition. It would also be helpful to mention your first exposure to e-cigarettes; did you purchase a product from a convenience store or gas station or did you instinctively know to go to a specialty vapor store?

2) Surveys published in 2016 confirm that adult consumers prefer flavors other than traditional tobacco and menthol (http://vaping.com/data/big-survey-2014-initial-findings-eliquid), (http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/10/12/7272), and the largest ever survey (>60,000 people) of people who vape in the U.S. submitted by Dr Farsalinos to the FDA docket on flavors regulation (Regulations.gov, ID: FDA-2017-N-6565-22941, Tracking No. 1k2-94dd-bdy4).

3) Flavors are an important aspect of vapor products as they help people who are quitting smoking disassociate nicotine consumption from inhaling smoke and the taste of burning tobacco.

4) Prohibiting flavor options creates a barrier to becoming smoke free and, as a result, many people will actually be encouraged to continue smoking instead of making the switch to a product that is estimated to be 99% less hazardous than smoking. 

5) Sales of flavored smoke-free tobacco and nicotine products should not be restricted to adult-only or specialty retailers. It is important that people who smoke are able to see safer alternatives to smoking in retail environments where they normally purchase cigarettes.

This article was originally published at CASAA
Author: Alex Clark

Posted in All posts, CASAA Guidance, e cigarettes, flavor ban, News, Smokeless Tobacco, Talking Points, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Flavor Ban – Talking Points

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.10.2019

Posted on July 11, 2019 by admin

ALBANY COUNTY, NEW YORK: (CALL TO ACTION UPDATED!) Local Law “E” has been sent back to committee to consider amendments exempting cigar bars & hookah lounges. The amendments would NOT exempt vape shops or allow for the sale of flavored vapor products. Urge lawmakers to OPPOSE Local Law “E”!

http://bit.ly/2JE8Vny

BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA: (HEADS UP!) City close to treating low risk vaping the same as smoking, prohibiting business owners from choosing to allow in their establishments and banning use OUTDOOR spaces, misleading public about risks.

Bluffton Town Council one step closer to adding e-cigarettes, vapes to ‘no smoking’ ordinance

LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City bans sale of very low risk vapor products & flavored tobacco, while leaving conventional cigarettes (the most popular form of tobacco & what ANTZ call “the #1 cause of preventable death”) available for purchase.

Livermore votes to ban flavored tobacco products, e-cigarettes

RESEARCH: Study worries that vaping will cause chronic bronchitis/COPD, with coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue. “To really know, we need to wait 10 to 20 years.” But they didn’t bother to ask real people who have actually been vaping 10+ years.

If you thought vaping was safe, Kansas researchers have bad news – Welcome to Wyandotte Daily!

HARM REDUCTION: WHO’s endorsement of low- or no-nicotine cigarettes (that don’t reduce and may actually INCREASE exposure to smoke) “is at odds with its hostility to vaping. If WHO keeps going down this path, it could very well just make things worse.”

Is low-nicotine tobacco just another WHO smokescreen? – Press Enterprise

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

Posted in Albany County, All posts, Bluffton, California, e cigarettes, Livermore, New York, News, news-all, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, South Carolina, Vaping, Vaping News, WHO | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.10.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.8.2019

Posted on July 9, 2019 by admin

THE MORE YOU KNOW: CDC states smoking linked to 1 in 4 CVD deaths. Vaping does NOT “trade cancer for heart disease,” it LOWERS the risk for heart disease. Vapor products DO NOT contain more nicotine than cigarettes (200 “puffs” is NOT the same as 200 mg,) but even if they did, it’s the SMOKE that causes greatest health risks, not the nicotine. Claiming that vapor products have “more nicotine” is a red herring to distract from the fact that they still don’t carry the same health risks as smoking.

I’m smoking cigarettes to quit my vaping habit… Yeah, I know • the Hi-lo

WISCONSIN: (HEADS UP!) ACS, AHA, ALA want to “end nicotine use,” calling for treating vaping the same as smoking w/ public use bans (which have turned into residential bans elsewhere,) high taxes & denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to safer products.

The Next Steps in Wisconsin’s Plan for Clean Air

SAN FRANCISCO: (UPDATE) The Coalition for Reasonable Vaping Regulation submitted over 20,000 signatures last Tuesday, more than twice the roughly 9,000 signatures it needed to gather by today, to place the vapor product ban on the ballot.

http://bit.ly/2FZ8Xpi

THE MORE YOU KNOW: ANTZ credit indoor ban for 16% adult smoking rate, but smoking actually jumped from 19% in 2010 to 21% in 2011 & finally dropped to 17% by 2014. Note that abt 196,000 WI adults quit 2011 – 2017 & by 2017, abt 165,000 had tried vaping.

Nine years after Smoke Free Air law, Wisconsin says smoke ban is a success

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: (HEADS UP!) Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) is saying it’s time for the city to have a “discussion” on banning low risk vaping products (but not combustible cigarettes) to reduce teen vaping.

http://bit.ly/2Xulb3M

THE MORE YOU KNOW: (UK) Because of ANTZ propaganda, most people believe smoke-free tobacco has a stronger link to oral cancer than smoking. Nothing could be further from the truth. Oral cancers are more frequently linked to smoking, HPV and alcohol abuse.

Smoker who ‘didn’t know cigarettes cause cancer’ diagnosed with mouth tumour

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

Posted in All posts, California, e cigarettes, indoor ban, News, news-all, nicotine, oral cancer, San Francisco, Seattle, Smokeless Tobacco, taxes, Tobacco 21, Vaping, Vaping News, Washington, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.8.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.3.2019

Posted on July 4, 2019 by admin

NEW JERSEY: (UPDATE) So-called “kid-friendly” pods remain at 10¢/mL, but the American Cancer Society is still “disappointed” with the Governor’s reduction from 10¢/mL on bottled e-liquid (which is mainly used by adults who smoked) to 10% of wholesale. Tax on a $20/60 ml bottle will drop from $6 to $2.

“This tax rollback, makes it easier for New Jerseyans to get their hands-on e-cigarettes.”

Yes, ACS. That’s the whole point.

ACS CAN Disappointed that Governor Murphy Enacted Rollback of E-Cigarette Tax – Insider NJ

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Vape advocates often support laws banning vaping where smoking is prohibited, because they’re typically only thinking about restaurants, movie theaters, schools etc. But bans are increasingly being applied to PRIVATE RESIDENCES, such as this latest smoking and VAPING BAN IN ALL APARTMENTS & they’re turning neighbors into spies for enforcement.

The slippery slope is real.They won’t stop at “reasonable” bans in restaurants. They actually want smoking (and now vaping) banned EVERYWHERE, indoors and outdoors. If you give them an inch, they take a mile.

Millbrae snuffs out apartment smoking

RESEARCH: Scientists find low nicotine cigarettes + patches works better than decreasing regular cigarettes + patches. Ironically, nicotine VAPOR PRODUCTS do the same thing WITHOUT EXPOSING PEOPLE TO THE SMOKE found even in the low nicotine cigarettes.

Effectiveness of switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes plus nicotine patch vs reducing daily cigarette consumption plus nicotine patch to decrease dependence: An exploratory randomized trial

THE MORE YOU KNOW: Oklahoma Department of Health Tobacco Manager says: “Fewer people are smoking, they might not have quit but that means they are smoking less. Which is going to help the health, is going to help Oklahoma. We are going to have better health outcomes because we are consuming less”

Interestingly, the same point made by Tobacco Harm Reduction advocates regarding “dual use” (people who vape but haven’t completely quit smoking, but reducing number of cigarettes smoked) is completely dismissed as not relevant!

Oklahoma Cigarette Sales Declining 1 Year After Tax Hike

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

Posted in All posts, dual-use, e cigarettes, New Jersey, News, news-all, nicotine, Oklahoma, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.3.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 7.1.2019

Posted on July 2, 2019 by admin

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers sending question of adding a 65% wholesale sin tax to vapor products to ballot next year. This would raise cost of a $20 bottle of e-liquid to $33, MAKING VAPING COST MORE THAN SMOKING, even with the higher cigarette tax.

Oregon Senate finishes whirlwind votes after Republicans stall session

IN THE NEWS: National Black Justice Coalition @NBJContheMove opposes SF vapor products ban: “Beyond restricting the rights of responsible adults making informed decisions, an unintended consequence includes increasing the use and purchase of cigarettes.”

http://bit.ly/2KRgL05

MAINE: (UPDATE) In wee hours of June 30, lawmakers pass bill defining vapor products as tobacco, subject to new 43% sin tax. In many cases, this WILL MAKE VAPE PRODUCTS COST MORE PER DAY THAN SMOKING in the state. Low risk snus will have same 43% tax.

E-cigarette tax, help for poor residents on governor’s desk

CAPITOLA, CALIFORNIA: (HEADS UP!) City took first steps to ban flavored tobacco & vapor products on Thursday, in first of 2 required readings. Surveys show non-tobacco flavors help adults who smoke move away from the taste of cigarettes, prevent relapse.

Capitola joins movement in banning flavored tobacco sales – Santa Cruz Sentinel

IN THE NEWS: (NEW YORK) American Cancer Society joins other groups in urging lawmakers to ban flavored vaping and low risk tobacco products in New York City and Albany County.

New York story: NAACP, Anti-Smoking Groups Press City Council Speaker on Bills Banning Flavored Cigarettes
Albany County story: 19 groups urge Albany County to pass flavored tobacco, e-cig ban

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

Posted in ACS, All posts, American Cancer Society, California, Capitola, e cigarettes, Maine, New York, News, news-all, Oregon, Smokeless Tobacco, vape tax, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 7.1.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 6.28.2019

Posted on June 29, 2019 by admin

IN THE NEWS: Former FDA director Dr. Scott Gottlieb (@ScottGottliebMD) has joined the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, the maker of Chantix. When Chantix was linked to significant health risks, FDA said “The benefits of quitting smoking outweigh those risks.” Meanwhile, vapor products must prove 100% safety – even for non-users?

INDIANA: (HEADS UP!) Bill to deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives has passed out of committee. These laws are not proven effective, mislead public on the risks of vaping and inevitably lead to more restrictive bans and taxes!

IN Sen. Young hopes to increase legal smoking age soon

RESEARCH: Sanford Health researcher taking an in-depth look at alleged vaping “gateway” effect, finds evidence of little to no effect and concerned that regulations may backfire and drive people back to smoking.

Sanford researcher says vaping not a gateway to smoking

FEDERAL: Sen. Romney’s bill, which would deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products, has passed in committee. These laws are not proven effective, mislead public on the risks of vaping and inevitably lead to more restrictive bans and taxes!

Romney’s smoking and vaping bill passes committee

LONGMONT, COLORADO: (HEADS UP!) Including vaping in smoking bans may seem “reasonable” to some folks…until they inevitably start extending those smoking bans to OUTDOOR spaces and, in some cases, private residences in multi-unit buildings.

Longmont City Council Gives Initial Approval To Expanded Smoking Ban

IN THE NEWS: Vermont starts population-level experiment w/ public health, near-doubling cost of vapor products, banning online sales and denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products. Will be easier to get cigarettes in the state than vapes.

New e-cigarette rules expected to slam Vt. vape shops

THE MORE YOU KNOW: A new article going around tells readers the ACS, in its 2018 position statement, “not only endorse but promote vapor products as a safe and healthy way to quit smoking.” Unfortunately, this is NOT the case. In the year since releasing the statement the ACS has been part of suing the FDA to pull vapor products off market until proven safe, and lobbied for flavor bans, high taxes, indoor/outdoor use bans, online bans and T21. Far from a ringing endorsement of vaping.

Please see CASAA’s 2018 full response here: ACS to Clinicians: Vaping is an acceptable last resort… – CASAA

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

Posted in ACS, All posts, American Cancer Society, Colorado, e cigarettes, FDA, HELP Bill, Indiana, Longmont, News, news-all, Research, Romney, Scott Gottlieb, Smokeless Tobacco, Tobacco 21, Vaping, Vaping News, Vermont | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 6.28.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 6.25.2019

Posted on June 26, 2019 by admin

NEW HAMPSHIRE: (HEADS UP!) Lawmakers sneak previously stalled Tobacco/Vapor 21 law into state budget at 11th hour. No evidence T21 lowers youth use, but clearly denies adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer alternatives. BUDGET VOTE IS ON THURSDAY!

Smoking age increase added to New Hampshire budget

IN THE NEWS: (Massachusetts) A multi-defendant lawsuit has been filed against several local BOH over flavor bans “developed and advocated by a private organization” that “created anti-competitive marketplaces that grant monopolies to specialty stores.”

Cumberland Farms to Fight Local Tobacco Regulations in Court

LIVERMORE CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) City bans sale of ALL vapor products, denying adult smokers local access to low risk alternatives, while leaving cigarettes to be freely sold.

Without irony, Councilmember Trish Munro says, “One of the best ways to change behavior is to avoid having the product present.” Hmmm….

Livermore Bans Flavored Tobacco Sales, Enacts School Buffer Zone For Retailers

IN THE NEWS: (Kentucky) Detention center exempts vapor products from existing tobacco ban to bring in revenue & (hopefully) reduce tobacco contraband. Devices “contain about as much nicotine as two packs of traditional cigarettes,” priced at $12 per unit.

BSRDC inmates to see sale of e-cigarettes

YOUNGSTOWN & GIRARD, OHIO: (HEADS UP!) Cities considering ordinances denying adults 18-20 who smoke access to far lower risk alternatives, although T21 laws have failed to show they work to prevent youth use in other municipalities.

Will local officials approve Tobacco 21 legislation?

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA: (HEADS UP!) Public hearing JULY 2 for ordinance that would deny adults 18-20 who smoke access to far safer products, mislead public to believe risks are the same and more likely to support laws such as flavor/online bans & sin taxes.

Flagstaff council votes to ban sale of tobacco to people under 21

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

Posted in ACLU, All posts, Arizona, California, Call to Action, Columbus, e cigarettes, flagstaff, Girard, Indiana, Kentucky, Livermore, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, News, news-all, Ohio, Philadelphia, Research, San Francisco, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Wisconsin, Youngstown | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 6.25.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 6.19.2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

IN THE NEWS: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets, @RepDebbieWassermanSchultz) referring to manufacturers of extremely LOW RISK products helping millions of people QUIT SMOKING: “We need to get these BASTARDS and make sure they don’t kill another generation of Americans.”

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz co-sponsors bill to combat teenage vaping

CONNECTICUT: (UPDATE) Governor has signed Tobacco/Vapor 21 bill, denying adults 18-20 access to far safer alternatives to smoking. Tobacco/Vapor 21 laws don’t work, but mislead general public on risks and increase support for flavor bans, use bans & higher sin taxes.

Gov. Lamont signs bill that raises tobacco sale age to 21

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) HB 2270, a bill that would tax vapor products at 65% wholesale, has now passed out of the Joint Committee on Tax Expenditures by a vote of 8 to 3. It will need to pass by a three-fifths majority, since it’s a revenue-raising measure.

http://bit.ly/2XZdmPZ

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

Posted in All posts, Connecticut, e cigarettes, Florida, News, news-all, Oregon, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 6.19.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 6.14.2019

Posted on June 19, 2019 by admin

IN THE NEWS: FDA proposes deadline of 10 months from final court ruling for vape companies to submit premarket applications. “Small vapor manufacturers would not be able to satisfy the requirements and will need to remove their products from the market.”

FDA Proposes New Deadline for E-Cigarette Applications

WATERTOWN, WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) City treats low risk vaping like smoking, prohibiting businesses from allowing vaping in their establishments & misleading public on risks. And a redundant minor ban because already illegal to sell nicotine to minors in WI.

Despite objections, e-cig rules advance

RESEARCH: Youth use and awareness survey shows pod device use “less prevalent amongst young people in the U.S. than many media commentators have been suggesting.”

Researchers found that “approximately 45.5% of 15 to 17 year olds in the U.S. and 29.1% of 13 to 14 year olds had heard or seen the device.”

(We hope one question asked was “Did you first hear about/see it in an ad for the product or in a public service commercial with puppets?”)

New research on the prevalence of JUUL use and awareness amongst US youth age 13 to 17

OREGON: (HEADS UP!) House Revenue Committee moved on previously stalled HB 2270 yesterday, subjecting vapor products to a 65% wholesale tax and also removing preemption on local taxes. If it passes in the legislature, it will go to November 2020 ballot.

Once Stalled, A Cigarette Tax Hike Is Moving In Oregon Capitol

WISCONSIN: (UPDATE) Budget Committee has amended Gov. Evers’ 71% list price tax on vapor products to 5¢/mL. While this is a large reduction, CASAA maintains that low risk vapor products that help adults quit smoking should NOT be subject to ANY sin tax!

Wisconsin budget committee approves more than $450 million in income tax cuts

PENNSYLVANIA: (HEADS UP!) Senator wants to extend smoking ban to outdoors and anywhere else the current ban exempts AND add low risk vaping to the ban. Be careful when agreeing that vaping should be banned where smoking is – soon that will be everywhere!

Sen. Dan Laughlin seeks tougher smoking ban for Pennsylvania

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

Posted in All posts, e cigarettes, FDA, News, news-all, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Research, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News, Watertown, Wisconsin | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 6.14.2019

Heads Up – News – Updates 5.24.2019

Posted on May 25, 2019 by admin


Call to Action against vape shop ban in Alpharetta, Georgia. California flavor ban bill withdrawn by author. Mississippi vape shop owner/advocate convinces city to exempt shops from indoor use ban.

Like getting this timely information? Help CASAA continue its mission by donating HERE.

ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA: (CALL TO ACTION!) City wants to essentially ban stand-alone vape shops, while leaving cigarettes, cigars & cheap e-cigs for sale at numerous tobacco shops, gas stations, grocery and c-stores. Meeting 5/28 @ 6:30 PM. TAKE ACTION NOW!

GA – Alpharetta – Stop a Ban on Vape Shops!

CALIFORNIA: (UPDATE) SB 38, a bill that would have BANNED FLAVORS in vapor and smoke-free products, was PULLED BY THE AUTHOR after hookah advocates and cigar lobby gained exclusions in an amendment by Senate panel. Stay on alert for this to resurface!

Proposed California ban on flavored tobacco products shelved by lawmakers

BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI: (UPDATE) Shop owner and vaping advocate convinces aldermen to EXEMPT VAPE SHOPS from indoor use ban passed last month. Unfortunately, other businesses that want to cater to vapers aren’t exempt, leaving vapers out on the street.

Vape shops granted exemption by city – Daily Leader

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! Click here to find your state group: CASAA State Facebook Group List

Find your state information here: Find My State Info – CASAA

And don’t forget to officially join CASAA. Membership is FREE. CASAA is made stronger with every voice we can count!

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

Posted in All posts, Alpharetta, Brookhaven, California, Call to Action, e cigarettes, Georgia, Mississippi, News, news-all, Smokeless Tobacco, Vaping, Vaping News | Comments Off on Heads Up – News – Updates 5.24.2019