Vapers Digest 2nd May
Tuesday’s News at a glance:
Nixing e-cigarettes because of flavor is nonsensical – ‘No Scientific Proof’ That Vaping Entices Youth To Smoke Cigs – Small-town America takes on FDA over e-cigarette regulations – E-cigarette restrictions to be eased under bill by San Diego’s ‘Vaping Congressman’ – Proposed Legislation Could Let E-Cigs Off FDA’s Hook – E-cigarettes banned in schools, public transport, factories and open-plan offices – Lying with literally true statements – Sudden hope for US vapers – Vape Shop Air Sampling Suggests that Secondhand Vape Exposure is Minimal – NSP Daily Digest
Nixing e-cigarettes because of flavor is nonsensical
Carrie Wade, Washington Examiner
I like Jolly Ranchers, especially cherry-flavored ones. The flavor doesn’t dull as they dissolve, they last a few minutes, they are relatively low in calories, and they disrupt boring meetings. That’s why it surprises me, a 38-year-old, when I hear that candy-like flavors are only meant to attract children.
In fact, cherry-flavored Jolly Ranchers helped me quit smoking a few years ago. While quitting made me crabby and resulted in some weight gain, I’ve shed some of the extra pounds and I’m in better health overall. I am lucky to be in the less than 10 percent of those who stay off cigarettes for the long term.
‘No Scientific Proof’ That Vaping Entices Youth To Smoke Cigs
Steve Birr, Daily Caller
Health officials in the U.S. are bashing vaping as a harmful practice addicting the youth, but experts say these claims are “purely speculative” and not reflected in scientific studies.
“The vast majority of scientific studies in fact point to substantial harm reduction benefits of these products compared to combustible cigarettes,” Patricia Kovacevic, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Nicopure Labs LLC, told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “A comprehensive review of all the science to date point to immense benefits to the individual and to the community.”
Small-town America takes on FDA over e-cigarette regulations
Kathy Hoekstra, Washington Examiner
Lou Ritter wants to see people stop dying from smoking cigarettes.
“I want to see people have the same opportunities to get away from tobacco that I had. And see if we can advance harm reduction,” he told the Hartland, Wis., Board of Trustees Thursday night.
Ritter was one of two witnesses to kick off a three-day series of hearings on the Food and Drug Administration’s so-called “deeming” regulation of vaping products.
Ritter testified that he smoked for 30 years before discovering e-cigarettes. Not only has he been smoke-free for seven years, he’s become a fierce advocate for the vaping industry. Ritter founded the American E-Liquid Manufacturers Association (AEMSA) to create safe production standards, and the E-Research Foundation to fund sorely needed science.
More on this can be found in article Small town builds big case against FDA e-cigarette regulation
E-cigarette restrictions to be eased under bill by San Diego’s ‘Vaping Congressman’
Bradley J Fikes, San Diego Tribune
Rep. Duncan Hunter, a prominent advocate of using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation, has introduced legislation to ease impending federal restrictions on vaping products.
The Cigarette Smoking Reduction and Electronic Vapor Alternatives Act, numbered H.R.2194, rejects the policy of the Food and Drug Administration that deems e-cigarettes as tobacco products. Vaping liquids don’t contain tobacco, and may not even contain nicotine.
The “deeming regulation” is now being phased in, taking full effect on Aug. 8, 2018.
Proposed Legislation Could Let E-Cigs Off FDA’s Hook
Convenience Store Decsions
A new bill looks to make e-cigs exempt from rules that impact tobacco products.
Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) has introduced “The Cigarette Smoking Reduction and Electronic Vapor Alternatives Act of 2017,” which aims to reduce the approval process for e-cigarettes under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to a report by The Hill, the bill would reverse the Obama administration’s “Deeming Rule” which categorizes e-cigarettes as tobacco products that are subject to the same regulations on cigarettes.
E-cigarettes banned in schools, public transport, factories and open-plan offices
The Connexion
Electronic cigarettes are to be banned in schools, public transport and certain workplaces such as open-plan offices, factories and other group-working areas.
Offenders face fines varying from €35 to €150 (if payment is delayed) while businesses face a €68 fine for permitting it. The decree imposing the law says sites where ‘vaping’ is banned should have signs up ‘to protect the public’ and the management face a fine of from €68 to €450 if they do not do so.
The ban comes into force on October 1 this year and it will still be possible to ‘vapoter’ in ‘public open spaces’ such as bars, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and sports grounds – although local councils can ban it by a simple local by-law. These sites can also impose their own restrictions.
You're 255 times more likely to have a house fire smoking tobacco compared to vaping #NoSmoking https://t.co/TprPgES3Lv pic.twitter.com/Uq3nP91U4k
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) April 29, 2017
Lying with literally true statements
Carl V Phillips, Anti-THR Lies
This is a reprise of points I have made here before, including in the mission statement of the blog. It was inspired by this recent post by Steven Raith in which he, a relative newcomer to the tobacco wars, describes his realization of just how often tobacco control’s lies consist of literally true statements. It is always nice to see people independently derive this observation, though I have been documenting that type of lie from “public health” (along with others) for most of two decades. Raith speculates that their use of such lies is increasing, but this does not seem to me to be the case; rather, once you become aware of the tactic, you notice it more. I will come back to the question of prevalence.
Sudden hope for US vapers
Fergus Mason, VapingPost
Vapers in the USA have been having a tough time recently, as states and federal agencies pushed for tighter rules; a small band of determined advocates have been fighting against powerful enemies while too many vapers waste time on hand checks and tricks. This week the balance shifted slightly, as anti-vaping laws were blocked or scrapped in two states and the notoriously anti-THR Surgeon General was removed from his post in a surprise late-night defenestration. Meanwhile a new bill heading for Congress would demolish the hated Deeming Regulations that the FDA aimed to crush the industry with. There are still many challenges to face in the “land of the free”, but suddenly it doesn’t look quite as hopeless.
Vape Shop Air Sampling Suggests that Secondhand Vape Exposure is Minimal
Michael Siegel, TobaccoAnalysis
As part of its investigation into the potential health effects of electronic cigarettes, the California Department of Public Health has been conducting air sampling and personal exposure monitoring in vape shops throughout the state. The results of sampling in one of these vape shops, obtained by The Rest of the Story, reveal that “secondhand vaping” appears to result in minimal exposure of bystanders to hazardous chemicals.
In this particular vape shop, sampling was conducted under quite adverse conditions. Many of the employees vaped throughout the sampling and 13 customers vaped while in the shop. There was no active ventilation system, and visible clouds of vapor were visible at times. So this seems to represent a high level of exposure compared to what one might expect in a public place outside a vape shop (e.g., a restaurant, bar, or office workplace).
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