[ad_1]
Fixing bad take headlines about vaping and tobacco harm reduction. Vaping reduces smoking in Kentucky. Florida reporter can’t math. COP10 tobacco conference bans consumer advocates. Smoke-free IQOS outselling Marlboros. Researchers going after “tobacco” flavored vapes. People who smoke more likely to vape than non-smokers. Multiple Calls to Action and more!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to the audio/video versions of this post!
CALLS TO ACTION
Did you know there are 17 Calls to Action (and more being added almost daily) for bills that target #vaping products and 4 have upcoming hearings within a week??
Check out casaa.org/get-involved/state-locator NOW to see if you need to take action in YOUR city and/or state!
STOP A FEDERAL TAX!
Comparing “oranges to oranges” (in this case milligrams of nicotine in vapes vs cigarettes,) if HR 5715 is enacted, vapes would be taxed at a rate approximately 5X higher than cigarettes! Vaping consumers will be paying up to 6¢/mg of nicotine compared to 1.1¢/mg in cigarettes.
The tax hike is just as bad, if not worse, for nicotine pouches, snus, and moist snuff — all reduced risk products compared to cigarettes!
TAKE ACTION: Fight a National Vapor Tax!
MICHIGAN
Stop an onslaught of anti-vaping bills!
Lawmakers in Michigan are once again throwing everything and the kitchen sink into a raft of anti-vaping bills aiming to reduce everyone’s access to these life-saving products! These bills include everything from a flavor ban and tax hikes to repealing state preemption of local tobacco retailer laws.
TAKE ACTION: Michigan: Stop a Slew of Anti-Vaping Laws
FLORIDA
These so-called “PMTA Registry Bills” are currently making their way around the U.S. They make it far more difficult for companies awaiting PMTA to sell life-saving products and ban thousands of products popular with adults.
TAKE ACTION: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
VIRGINIA
If enacted, this law would effectively ban all vaping products not granted marketing orders through FDA’s “arbitrary and capricious” authorization process (over 99%) and “call for a fine of $1,000 a day for each product sold.”
TAKE ACTION: Virginia: Stop the Joe Camel Protection Act!
WASHINGTON
Bill SB 6118 (aka “PMTA Registry”) legislation has been introduced and referred to the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee. No hearing is scheduled at this time, but we expect this bill to move quickly!
TAKE ACTION: Washington: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
VERMONT
A flavor ban bill (S. 18) has already passed the Senate.
UPDATE! Hearings are already happening in the House and, disturbingly, are being hastily scheduled with little to no opportunity given for public comment!
TAKE ACTION: Vermont Update: Stop a Flavor Ban!
INDIANA
Yet another state is trying to pass a “Big Tobacco Protection” act!
Anti vaping bill SB 227 (aka “PMTA Registry legislation”) has been introduced and had a hearing on Tuesday, January 23, 2024!
TAKE ACTION: Indiana: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
SOUTH CAROLINA
This “PMTA Registry” legislation would put thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying attempts at quitting, hundreds of independent vape shops out of business, and hundreds of workers out of jobs!
TAKE ACTION: South Carolina: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
SOUTH DAKOTA
This “PMTA Registry” legislation would put thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying attempts at quitting, hundreds of independent vape shops out of business, and hundreds of workers out of jobs!
TAKE ACTION: South Dakota: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
ARIZONA
This “PMTA Registry” legislation would put thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying attempts at quitting, hundreds of independent vape shops out of business, and hundreds of workers out of jobs!
TAKE ACTION: Arizona: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
NEBRASKA #1
This “PMTA Registry” legislation would put thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying attempts at quitting, hundreds of independent vape shops out of business, and hundreds of workers out of jobs!
TAKE ACTION: Nebraska: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
NEBRASKA #2
LB 1299 would impose a 20% wholesale tax on vapor products. This is in addition to the 5.5% state sales tax!
This bill had a hearing on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 1:30 PM.
TAKE ACTION: Nebraska: Stop a Vape Tax!
HAWAI’I
HB 1778 is a #vaping & nicotine product FLAVOR BAN.
There was a hearing on Friday, February 2nd at 8:30 AM.
TAKE ACTION: Hawai’i: Stop a Flavor Ban!
COLORADO
SB 22 would create a confusing and unfair patchwork of #vaping and THR product restrictions and bans across the state, which are then used as an argument for statewide bans.
A hearing was held on Thursday, February 8th.
TAKE ACTION: Colorado: Stop Local Flavor Bans!
NEW HAMPSHIRE
“PMTA Registry” legislation would put thousands of people at risk of returning to smoking, or delaying attempts at quitting, hundreds of independent vape shops out of business, and hundreds of workers out of jobs!
A hearing was held on February 6th at 11 AM.
TAKE ACTION: New Hampshire: Stop a Big Tobacco Protection Act!
NEW MEXICO #1
SB 80 would ban sales of #vaping, nicotine and tobacco products in FLAVORS other than tobacco, EVEN IF they’ve been authorized by FDA!
The link below is an easy way to send a message to your state senator and urge them to oppose SB 80.
TAKE ACTION: New Mexico: Stop a Flavor Ban!
NEW MEXICO #2
SB 72 would tax #vaping devices and liquids at 44% of the wholesale price and $0.50 per single-use cartridge!
Please take a moment to send a message to your lawmakers urging them to oppose SB 72!
TAKE ACTION: New Mexico: Stop a Vape Tax!
INTERNATIONAL
Canadian Lawmakers Caught Fudging the Numbers
In order to justify the Government of Alberta’s decision to renew the Tobacco and Vaping Reduction Strategy (TVRS), the province “made a very specific (and alarmist) claim: that the vaping rate among Albertans aged 15 to 19 “rose to 35 per cent in 2020 from 19 per cent in 2013.”
What actually “rose to 35% in 2020 from 19% in 2013″ was ever use (ever trying a vapor product in their life – even one puff.)
However, Alberta rates have been similar to national rates (often lower) and in 2022 past-30-day vaping among youth in Canada aged 15 to 19 years was 13.6% and ever use was 30.0%.
This tactic of using the worst possible statistic they can find – and ignoring other statistics that don’t fit their narrative – is becoming entirely too commonplace around the world.
READ MORE: Breakenridge: UCP forms strategy based on a hazy premise
IN THE NEWS
Fixed That Headline For You
The truth is, deadly SMOKING declined dramatically as the tobacco and vapor product industries began making more smoke-free alternatives available to consumers.
Tobacco Control has done everything it can to undermine that success.
READ MORE: Tobacco use declined despite tobacco industry efforts to undermine progress
Florida News Reporter Can’t Math
Fact-checking News4JAX falsely reporting to viewers in Jacksonville (the most populous city in Florida) that “1 in 4 students vape every day.” As this CDC table from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows, of the 2.13 million (7.7%) students who vaped at least once in the past 30 days, 530,000 (25.1%) of them vaped daily.
That means only about 1.9% of students vaped daily. That’s about 1 in 52 students and nowhere near 1 in 4!
TOBACCO CONTROL
Weird Take On Adult Vaping in Kentucky
What they don’t want you to know is that low risk vaping is displacing deadly smoking where it’s not discouraged by anti-vaping laws and misinformation. Is it really just a coincidence that adult smoking in Kentucky also dramatically declined from 28.3% in 2012 to 17.4% in 2022?🤔
Note the trend line between 2002-2022. The flat line between 2007-2012 debunks Tobacco Control’s claim their policies were working and vaping is “reversing the decline” in smoking.
The smoking decline clearly accelerated as vaping rose, so without that argument now they have to say “decline in tobacco use.” Of course, that’s not true, either.
READ MORE: Study shows Kentucky has second highest e-cigarette use in country
COP10 World Tobacco Conference Bans Consumer Advocates
Nicotine consumer and THR advocates are falsely accused of being “tobacco infiltrators” and barred from COP10. Meanwhile, the Chinese COP 10 delegation (that also represents China’s nationalized tobacco industry) is welcome.
CASAA director Jim McDonald reporting for Vaping360.
By far the best article we have seen so far on #COP10FCTC
Highly recommended for anyone trying to make sense of what is going on this week in the Panama Convention Centre
Where Tobacco Control Plays for Keeps (With Your Life) https://t.co/gp2Yh3RxxT via @vaping360— FCTCcopwatch (@FCTCcopwatch) February 8, 2024
READ MORE: COP 10: Where Tobacco Control Plays for Keeps (With Your Life)
TOBACCO HARM REDUCTION
Consumers Making Safer Choices
Tobacco Harm Reduction appears to be winning with consumers despite the best efforts of tobacco control to stop it!
Philip Morris says its heated-tobacco devices are now selling more than Marlboro products.
Reminder: $PM IQOS has received both PMTA authorization and MRTP (Modified Risk Tobacco Product) approval; this includes menthol productshttps://t.co/PNZC3rxE37
In the event the FDA manages to ban menthol cigarettes (not my base case), it is possible that IQOS will be in the US pic.twitter.com/Nc5HXY7wTi— Librarian Capital (@LibrarianCap) March 17, 2023
READ MORE: Philip Morris says its heated-tobacco devices are now selling more than Marlboro products
RESEARCH
Now Even ‘Tobacco’ Flavors Are a Problem?
Researchers raise (false) alarm over oft-exempted “tobacco” flavors that are marketed with descriptors such as “golden,” “rich” or “cut” tobacco that could “influence consumers’ perceptions, including perceived risks.”
We have to wonder if this is just setting up the “science” for anti-harm reduction groups to push for bans on “tobacco” vape flavors?
READ MORE: E-cigarette ‘tobacco flavor’, how do I name thee? Let me count the ways.
Ignore the Negativity
Despite the negative spin, the headline could have just as easily been: “E-cigarettes Have Far Fewer Toxins & Less Addiction Risk Than Combustible Cigarettes.” Of course, good news doesn’t get clicks.
Note the “lung disease” risks include EVALI & “Popcorn Lung,” although neither are linked to nicotine vapes. That gives you a pretty good idea of the quality of this review.
Researchers Still Using Outdated Data
This study finds “a significant increase in the prevalence of e-cigarette use among US youths” between 2013 – 2019 and claims “prevalence remains at a concerning level.”
However, they ignore #vaping in 2023 was lower than it was in 2014 and high school smoking dropped from 12.7% in 2013 to 1.9% in 2023.
US teen nicotine vaping dropped 61% over the past 4 years. @US_FDA no longer calls it “epidemic.” 2023 teen nic vaping is lower than in any of the previous 10 years, FAR lower than teen smoking was a decade ago. Teen smoking dropped 90% to near zero over the past 10 yrs. pic.twitter.com/hsWegmhu7S
— Charles A. Gardner, PhD (@ChaunceyGardner) February 1, 2024
READ MORE: E-cigarette use among US youths climbs, with pandemic years showing slight decline
Non-smokers Less Likely to Vape
Study finds young adults who smoked were more likely than those who didn’t smoke to report ever having used e-cigs. And those “with fair or poor physical or mental health” reported ever having used e-cigs “at higher rates than those in excellent health.”
READ MORE: Characteristics of Young Adults Aged 18-24 Who Had Ever Used an Electronic Nicotine Product
Adults Who Smoke Prefer Flavors
Why is this still a debate? There’s a reason why there’s never been a “tobacco” flavored NRT. No one questions why an adult who smokes would prefer “Fruit Chill,” “White Ice Mint” or “Cinnamon Surge” nicotine gum over the unpleasant “original” flavor.
“…mint gum was more effective than original gum.”
(See: Flavor improvement does not increase abuse liability of nicotine chewing gum)
“improved…nicotine gums may lead to higher compliance, resulting in…a higher quit rate.”
If they woulda banned flavors while I was vaping I woulda for sure returned to smoking & even tho I stopped vaping the idea that adults don’t & cant enjoy candy flavors makes me feel fuckin crazy like flavors aren’t just for kids for god sake https://t.co/jZBaSTtXRc
— 🃏brette (@phantomtransy) January 29, 2024
READ MORE: Flavor Can Save Lives: The Neurobiological Rationale for Flavor in Reduced-Risk Nicotine Products
ADVOCACY
Adult Vaper Survey
Q. I don’t have a lot of time or money, but how can I still advocate for #vaping and tobacco harm reduction? 🤔
A. One QUICK and FREE way to advocate right now is to complete this survey! 👇👇👇
Click here: USA – Vape Consumer Survey 2023
CASAA IN ACTION // CASAA Live
Join Alex and Logan as they discuss why Calls to Action are important and how the timing is crucial. They’ll also explain why Preemption bills are beneficial and how PMTA Registry bills impact consumers.
Catch the next show LIVE Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 4:30PM ET/3:30PM CT!
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!
VISIT: CASAA Apparel and Swag Store
CASAA MEDIA // Spotify
CASAA’s podcast is on Spotify! Please give us a follow here:
CASAA IN ACTION // Twitter Spaces
The week we recap the Reagan-Udall sessions with Amanda Wheeler, Tim Andrews and CASAA CEO Alex Clark, who all presented to the panel about FDA’s issues regulating reduced-harm products. What grade would you give FDA? Also available on CASAA’s Spotify channel (above.)
— CASAA (@CASAAmedia) October 26, 2022
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:
[ad_2]
Source link