CASAA

Utah Health Official Touts Benefit of Tobacco Cigarettes Over E-Cigarettes:

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:00:00 +0000

At Least You Know How Much Nicotine You're Getting?
By Dr. Michael Siegel
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com

According to an article in the Deseret News, a Utah health official has touted as a benefit of regular cigarettes the fact that at least consumers know how much nicotine they are getting, in contrast with electronic cigarettes which the official contends will lead to ex-smokers just vaping away because they don't know how much nicotine to take in. The remarks were apparently made in the context of supporting a proposed state law that would ban the use of electronic cigarettes in public places.

According to the article: "Last summer, the Utah Department of Health adopted a rule banning the use of hookah and e-cigarettes in public places but has not enforced the rule awaiting legislative action on the issue. Manufacturers of electronic cigarettes claim the battery-powered device is safer than cigarettes, which use tobacco. However, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, e-cigarettes contain harmful levels of nicotine, a substance the agency classifies as a stimulant drug. "There is no safe level of tobacco smoke," said David Neville, spokesman for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program at the Utah Department of Health. With tobacco cigarettes a user generally knows how much nicotine is being consumed. "They know if they are a half-a-pack-a-day smoker. When it comes to an electronic cigarette, you just don't know. You just keep on smoking," Neville said. The measure, which passed on a 45-31 vote, now moves to the Senate."

The bill would add electronic cigarettes to the state's existing ban on smoking in public places.

The Rest of the Story
This story demonstrates how ridiculous the arguments of anti-smoking advocates have become in trying to attack electronic cigarettes. They are now actually defending the real ones in an effort to cast dispersions on the much safer electronic ones....
[Read More...]

Facts about 'exploding' e-cigarettes from ECF

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:58:00 +0000

The administrator of the electronic cigarette community forum ECF (http://e-cigarette-forum.com) has responded to concerns from members and e-cigarette users about recent news of a man seriously injured when his e-cigarette "exploded" in his mouth.

This information mostly addresses the type of e-cigarette called "mods." Mods are either user-modified or larger manufactured devices which typically use loose lithium-ion batteries rather than the sealed battery design of most mass-produced devices. While most "mods" are designed and built with all of the appropriate features to make them as safe or safer than mass-produced models; a very small number may not have the necessary safety features and could have a higher risk of a dangerous malfunction.

CASAA feels this is good information for e-cigarette users to know and encourages members to read the ECF message below and accompanying link to more information on ECF:

The simple, short-form version is this:

It is only certain types of mods (XL specials) that are affected

Only metal tube mods, with two batteries inserted, are affected

Other types of mods are not affected

Regular e-cigarettes are not affected (like the 510, KR808, etc.)

Mid-size e-cigs are not affected (like the eGo, Riva, Tornado, etc.)

Only metal tube mods using two batteries for a high-voltage result are implicated in these explosions. Nothing else is affected. Here is some guidance:

It is best to use Li-Mn cells (such as the AW 'red' batteries), or protected Li-ion cells, in these 2-cell mods (or any mod, for that matter).

Check that the C Rating for the batteries (maximum discharge current) given by the battery manufacturer is at least 2,000mA (2 amps). Batteries with a discharge capability lower than this ARE NOT SUITABLE.

Unprotected Li-ion batteries, or batteries with a C Rating below 2,000mA, should not be used.

Ideally the mod will have both electrical or electronic AND physical safety features. If so you should be covered, as long as you use the best batteries you can buy.

Cutting costs where batteries are concerned IS A VERY BAD MOVE.

Good batteries cost about $10 each - $3 batteries for a 2-cell mod are not a good choice at all. You just multiplied the risk by about 1,000 times.

If you are using two batteries then you need to be ESPECIALLY CAREFUL.

Only metal tube mods with two batteries have exploded in use. Nothing else is affected.

[Read More...]

NOTE: CASAA is reporting this statement and accompanying link as a resource for informational purposes only. Unless otherwise stated, the statements quoted here and made on the ECF web site are solely the opinion of ECF and/or its representatives.

Research shows substituting w/smokeless tobacco saves lives

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 19:09:00 +0000

Presentation at AAAS shows scientific foundation for tobacco harm reduction efforts

Brad Rodu, D.D.S.

Substituting smokeless tobacco products can save smokers’ lives, and there is a scientific foundation that proves it.

That is the message Brad Rodu, D.D.S., professor of medicine at the University of Louisville (UofL) School of Medicine and the Endowed Chair in Tobacco Harm Reduction at UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center, delivered at the Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Feb. 18. Rodu spoke at the session, “Harm Reduction: Policy Change to Reduce the Global Toll of Smoking-Related Disease.”

“Quit or die: That’s been the brutal message delivered to 45 million American smokers, and it has helped contribute to 443,000 deaths per year, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” Rodu said. “The truth, however, is that total nicotine and tobacco abstinence is unattainable and unnecessary for many smokers.”

[Read More...]

A Simple Tobacco Fable

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:48:00 +0000

By Lou Maiellano, Convenience Store Decisions/Tobacco Today

Imagine, if you will, that European explorers land in Africa, North America or South America in the 14th, 15th or 16th centuries. Upon landing, these explorers find the inhabitants of these exotic new lands drinking a strange, energizing brew and smoking the dried beans of a native tree in hand carved pipes.

But in this case, the brew is from tobacco and the smoke is from the coffee bean. The beverage delivers the energizing effects of nicotine and the pipe delivers the stimulation of caffeine in its rich, aromatic smoke. Given that set of facts in this brief, retelling of the history of the new world, how would today’s world be different? I think we know.

Today we would be looking at ever-increasing taxes, restrictions and bans directed at coffee smokers—who more than a century ago began enjoying the dried beans in a manufactured form that looks suspiciously like what we call cigarettes today. These taxes, bans and restrictions would be the result of years and years of studies that have revealed that smoking coffee causes cancers of the lung and other respiratory organs in the primary user and in those exposed to the smoke of the user. And given the effects of caffeine, we could expect that caffeine would be labeled a dangerous, addictive drug, responsible for endangering the health of billions of people worldwide.[Read More....]

Smoking, No, Nicotine, Maybe Smoking, No, Nicotine, Maybe

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:16:00 +0000

The diminishing returns of the anti-tobacco campaign.
FEB 27, 2012, VOL. 17, NO. 23 • BY ELI LEHRER • The Weekly Standard

If there’s one perfectly safe conclusion to draw from nearly a century of public health research, it’s this: Cigarette smoking is really, really bad for your health. An unusually complete, if rather obvious, 2010 Surgeon General’s Report on the topic shows that inhaling tobacco smoke not only causes lung disease but also leads to increased risks of stroke, heart attack, and dozens of other maladies. As a result, it’s not surprising that 38 states (sin-happy Nevada among them) and countless localities have enacted various smoking bans while advertisements, public health campaigns, and tax policies send a simple message: Smokers must quit all tobacco use or die early, painful deaths.

AP IMAGES

But public health crusaders haven’t stopped at fighting smoking: Bans on smokeless tobacco use, e-cigarettes, and outdoor smoking have gone into force in locations ranging from the University of Texas’s Arlington Campus (all tobacco), to Boston (e-cigarettes). A growing body of research, however, reveals that the shun-tobacco-or-die dichotomy is an oversimplification. In fact, there’s significant evidence that the act of inhaling burning plant matter does much of the harm while the addictive substance in question (nicotine) and the plant itself (tobacco) are a mixed bag. Public health policy may be better served by a harm reduction strategy that continues efforts to discourage smoking while trying to steer tobacco and nicotine users towards safer forms of the substances.

[Read More]

Updated: Utah Call to Action

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:40:00 +0000

HB 245 - AMENDMENT TO DEFINITION OF SMOKING IN UTAHLink to HB245 (3rd Sub)
This bill would:
Ban the use of e-cigarettes in any public place where smoking is prohibited.

A bill has been introduced into the Utah State Legislature which would add the use of electronic cigarettes to the definition of smoking. It is on the 3rd Reading Calendar of the House of Representatives. We strongly encourage local electronic cigarette users to contact their Representative for their district. If you would like assistance with what to say, please contact us at board@casaa.org.

[Read More]

Birmingham, AL Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:39:00 +0000

AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL TITLE 11, CHAPTER 9, SECTION 10, "SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES" AND ADOPT IN FULL A NEW TITLE 11, CHAPTER 9, SECTION 10, "CITY OF BIRMINGHAM SMOKE FREE ORDINANCE OF 2011".
Link to Proposed Ordinance

This ordinance would:
Ban the use of e-cigarettes in any public place where smoking is prohibited.

The Birmingham Public Safety and Technology Committee has met to discuss the proposed ordinance. The next step for the ordinance will be revision and posting an amended version with a second public hearing. That hearing is likely to be front of the full City Council for a final vote. We want to encourage everyone to call, write or fax the City Council as soon as possible to let them know that you oppose this ordinance.

[Read More]

Vermont Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:38:00 +0000

AN ACT RELATING TO CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS
Link to H 747

This bill would:
Ban the purchase, sales and delivery of e-cigarettes via the internet, phone and mail order, with penalties for each violation of up to 5 years imprisonment, a $5,000 criminal fine and a $5,000 civil fine.

H 747 has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on Human Services. It has yet to be added to the Committee Agenda. Once it has been scheduled, we strongly encourage local electronic cigarette users to attend the meeting. If you would like assistance with what to say, please contact us at board@casaa.org.

[Read more]

Alabama Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Alabama Smoke-free Air Amendment of 2012
Link to SB197 and SB198

These bills would:
Ban the use of e-cigarettes in any public place where smoking is prohibited.

Two bills have been introduced into the Alabama State Senate which would add the use of electronic cigarettes to the definition of smoking. They have been referred to the Standing Health Committee, but have yet to be added to the agenda.

[Read more]

Electronic Cigarette Mishaps Extremely Rare

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:54:00 +0000

In response to news that a Florida man was severely injured by an exploded electronic cigarette battery, the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) expressed sympathy and hope for Tom Holloway’s speedy recovery. “In the wake of this event,” stated CASAA’s president, Elaine Keller, “our organization feels it is important to remember that what happened, while tragic, is extremely rare.”

Lithium-ion battery (left) vs. typical
electronic cigarette battery (right)

Lithium-ion batteries are used in many products, including laptop computers, cell phones, flashlights, electric toothbrushes, and even electric automobiles. Accidental fires or explosions in any of these products are rare, but not unheard of. “Nobody has called for all laptop computers or all cell phones to be pulled off the market,” stated Keller. “Therefore it is both premature and irresponsible at this point for anyone to imply that e-cigarettes are more dangerous than any other type of electronic device that uses lithium-ion batteries.”

According to the CDC, approximately 2.5 million smokers tried an e-cigarette in 2010, and CASAA estimates that more than 1 million former smokers currently use a smoke-free e-cigarette as a complete replacement for their combustible cigarettes. “These former smokers have reduced their risks of lung disease, heart disease, and cancers because they no longer inhale tar, carbon monoxide, particulates, and thousands of chemicals of combustion along with their nicotine,” said Keller. “Over 90% of e-cigarette users report that their health has improved since making the switch.”

At this point there is no information on what type of device Mr. Holloway was using at the time of the incident. However, CASAA would like to reassure the public that the vast majority of commercially available e-cigarettes have built-in safety features designed to prevent overheating. Moreover, most models contain a microchip that automatically shuts off the device in the unlikely event that overheating does occur.

CASAA continues to monitor the situation and will share information as it becomes available.

CASAA is a non-profit organization that works to ensure the availability of reduced harm alternatives to smoking and to provide smokers and non-smokers alike with truthful information about such alternatives.

Media Contact:

Elaine Keller

Springfield, VA

ekeller@casaa.org

(202) 241-9117

North Myrtle Beach e-cig use ban fails to pass

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:18:00 +0000

CASAA has been working with members since mid-January to get an ordinance to ban smoking in the City of North Myrtle Beach amended to remove references e-cigarettes. The ordinance passed a second reading before the City Council Monday night, amended without any mention of electronic cigarettes.

Vapers are still welcome in North Myrtle Beach

Organizations such as the American Lung Association, the American Cancer Society and Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids have been sending model smoke-free ordinances that include electronic cigarettes to local governments and public health boards across the nation. These bans are usually based solely upon a misleading press statement released by the FDA in 2009, falsely suggesting that e-cigarettes contain harmful levels of toxic chemicals and carcinogens. In spite of the fact that there have been no complaints made to the FDA MedWatch regarding significant negative health effects related to e-cigarette use and no public outcry objecting to e-cigarette use where smoking is prohibited, the devices are still being portrayed as a potential danger to the public by these organizations.

Fortunately, upon receiving testimonials from e-cigarette users that they have been able to quit smoking and their health has improved since switching to e-cigarettes, along with experiencing e-cigarette vapor demonstrations, many government officials are seeing the negative claims being made as baseless and are refusing to include e-cigarettes in smoking ordinances.

Unfortunately, for every proposed ban of which CASAA is made aware and able to counter, there are hundreds more in the works. It is imperative that members remain vigilant and alert CASAA of potential legislation in their area.

The North Myrtle Beach amendment is the latest of CASAA's successful campaigns, which include Delaware County, IN, Alexandria, LA, Boise, ID and Alameda, CA.

Hawaii Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:58:00 +0000

A Bill for an Act Relating to Sales of Electronic Cigarettes

Link to HB 2557
Link to SB 2819

This bill would:
Cause all components of electronic cigarettes to be taxed at 70% of wholesale, and ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors.

Identical bills have been introduced to both the House of Representatives (HB2557) and the Senate (SB2819). The House bill has been referred to the House Health Committee and House Committee on Finance, and the Senate bill to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on SB2819 on Wednesday, February 8th at 9am. Public testimony may be allowed from attendees wishing to speak. We strongly encourage local electronic cigarette users to attend the meeting. If you would like assistance with what to say, please contact us at board@casaa.org.

[Read more]

World Vaping Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 02:02:00 +0000

Celebrate the first World Vaping Day with CASAA on Thursday, March 22nd, 2012!

Since their introduction in 2003, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have taken the world by storm. Millions of former smokers have either switched from smoking completely or greatly reduced their cigarette consumption due to this innovative device. CASAA is joining other organizations around the world to promote this event!

Electronic cigarettes are a completely different approach to addressing the concerns about the cost and health effects of smoking. Until now, the focus on quitting smoking has been on ending nicotine dependence, yet billions spent on nicotine cessation products has resulted in very low quit rates. Nicotine gums, lozenges and patches that require eventual abstinence; and pills that attempt to make smoking unpleasant for the smoker completely ignore the social and behavioral aspects many smokers enjoy and do not wish to give up. It is a myth that most smokers "want to quit." In truth, most smokers simply realize that they probably should quit. Therefore, not only do those products fail to help 93% of the time - even for smokers who actually do want to end nicotine dependence - they are completely ignored by the millions of smokers who enjoy smoking for reasons beyond nicotine use. Electronic cigarette use - or "vaping" - addresses smokers' needs on multiple levels, rather than simply focusing on the nicotine.

Electronic cigarettes are not intended to be used as a nicotine cessation product. They are intended to replace tobacco cigarettes by providing an alternate source of nicotine and mimicking the familiar behaviors associated with smoking, thereby eliminating the user's exposure to smoke and significantly reducing the health concerns related to smoking. By eliminating the cigarette smoke but not requiring the user to give up familiar habits and nicotine, electronic cigarettes are showing significant promise as a highly successful tobacco harm reduction product.

Contrary to what you may have heard, e-cigarettes have been researched, studied and tested; including research on nicotine delivery, toxicity, carcinogens, efficacy for smoking cessation and nicotine content. While it has been generally acknowledged that manufacturing standards need to be established, even the highly publicized and misrepresented analysis by the FDA found that the e-cigarettes it tested did not contain harmful levels of any toxic chemicals or carcinogens. Most medical experts and public health experts agree (or at least grudgingly concede) that the typical electronic cigarette vapor, consisting of propylene glycol, glycerin, artificial flavorings and nicotine, would not deliver anywhere near the harmful levels of chemicals and carcinogens that are found in traditional cigarettes. So, while we cannot claim that e-cigarettes are 100% safe (really what is 100% safe in this world?), it would be hard for anyone to argue that the vapor is not infinitely safer than smoke. Therefore, CASAA feels confident recommending e-cigarettes as an acceptable smokeless alternate for smokers who wish to reduce or completely eliminate cigarette smoke exposure.

Take the opportunity to participate in World Vaping Day 2012. If you are a smoker and haven't tried e-cigarettes yet, there are inexpensive disposable brands, which are available online or even at your local Walgreens - now is the time to give one a try! If you are already an e-cigarette user, this is a great day to talk about how you made the switch to friends and family who are smokers. Post about it on your social networks. Show a co-working smoker at work your e-cigarette or even a a stranger standing outside in the cold. World Vaping Day is the day to let the world know that you are a vaper!

Web Link: http://www.world-vaping-day.com/

CASAA Seeking Directors

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:06:00 +0000

CASAA is currently looking to fill the three open Director positions on the Board of Directors.

If you would like to become much more involved with helping CASAA achieve its mission, please send an email to board@casaa.org to request a copy of the Board Candidate Questionnaire and/or with any questions.

"We Are Vapers" documentary

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:21:00 +0000

CASAA is excited to announce that it will be acting as a principal adviser for "We Are Vapers," a documentary about electronic cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction.

The film, which "will explore the concept of Smoking Tobacco Harm Reduction, e-cigarettes role and the community that has risen alongside it," is currently in the pre-production stage. CASAA hopes everyone will take the time to visit http://wearevapers.com to learn more about the project which is, like CASAA, a grassroots effort in need of participants to tell their story, volunteers, equipment, lodging and donations.

In the case that the contributions exceed the production costs or if the project doesn't raise enough money and can't be produced, they will donate it all, without exception, to the CASAA. As of this post, the producers have raised just over half of the $20,000 goal.

Please consider being a part of this worthy project! Direct contributions may be made here: http://www.indiegogo.com/wearevapers

Interview w/ Producer/Director Linc Williams about the

"We Are Vapers" Documentary (includes promo video)

Kentucky Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

An ACT prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment

Link to HB 289

This bill would:
Redefine smoking to include the use of electronic cigarettes, and prohibit their use anywhere smoking is prohibited.
The bill has been referred to the House Health and Welfare Committee, which meets on Wednesdays and Thursdays of each week. It has yet to be added to the Committee's agenda.

[Read more]

New Jersey Call to Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:40:00 +0000

An act prohibiting smoking in automobiles when children are present

Link to A1016

This bill would:
Ban smoking and the use of e-cigarettes in cars if children 16 or under are present. A violation would carry a $100 fine.

The bill has been referred to the NJ Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee.

[Read more]

Saugus, MA Call to Action

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:23:00 +0000

Smoking in Public Places

The Saugus Board of Health has proposed restricting the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and the use of electronic cigarettes in public places.

Link to news article

This ordinance would:
Restrict the sale of e-cigarettes to minors, and ban the use of e-cigarettes in any public place where smoking is prohibited.

[Read more]

British doc tells truth about e-cigarettes

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Dr. Hilary Jones's surprisingly accurate and knowledgeable description of e-cigarettes on British morning television.

CASAA on VP Live

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

Watch interview about TPSAC with CASAA Director Greg Conley and CASAA advisor Dr. Carl Philips. Interview starts at 0:30:45.

CASAA testifies at TPSAC and Utah House Government Operations Committee

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:34:00 +0000

CASAA directors were busy this past week or so testifying at two different venues.

On January 19th, CASAA President Elaine Keller, CASAA Director Gregory Conley and CASAA advisors Bill Godshall and Dr. Carl Philips spoke before the FDA Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee, advocating once again for tobacco harm reduction policies.

Photo Credit: Dr. Carl Philips
CASAA advisor Dr. Carl Philips
speaks at TPSAC

The Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee (TPSAC) is intended to advise the Commissioner or designee in discharging responsibilities as they relate to the regulation of tobacco products. As part of the TPSAC’s required report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the committee heard public comments on issues related to "the nature and impact of the use of dissolvable tobacco products on the public health, including such use among children." It is CASAA's opinion that the committee is largely one-sided, as many committee members are known anti-tobacco and anti-nicotine prohibitionists and against tobacco harm reduction.

Listen to their speeches here: Video link to 1/19 TPSAC. Testimony from CASAA/harm reduction advocates starts about 5hr 22min mark.

View Elaine's presentation slides here: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/TobaccoProductsScientificAdvisoryCommittee/UCM288460.pdf

In other news, on January 25th, the Utah House Government Operations Committee listened to public comments regarding "HB0245 Amendment to Definition of Smoking in Utah Indoor Clean Air Act," which was an attempt to include hookah and electronic cigarette use in the state's definition of "smoking." CASAA Director Jacinda Ross, who has successfully testified in Utah previously, was there to advocate for electronic cigarette users.

To quote the Desert News article about the issue:

"Too many questions and concerns over a bill that would ban the smoking of e-cigarettes and hookah pipes in public places prompted a panel of lawmakers Monday to put the legislation on hold....

...some lawmakers said they had reservations about a bill that would effectively put hookah bars out of business when the data over health risks is unclear. Representatives of the Huka Bar and Grill in Murray said the bill would put 90 people out of work.

Other lawmakers said they needed more time to study the proposal.
Some opponents took issue with the bill treating e-cigarettes the same as hookah pipes.

[Jacinda] Ross, of West Jordan, said she was a cigarette smoker for many years but has quit thanks to e-cigarettes. "I've been smoke free since August 2010. I have no desire to smoke any more," Ross said."

Listen to testimony here: CASAA director Jacinda Ross speaks at Utah House Government Operations Committee. Click link #2 (Jacinda speaks at about 1:55:43.)

A note about CASAA's industry affiliations and Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:07:00 +0000

Recently, there have been two questions raised that seemed to show a need for re-clarification on those issues.

Last week, CASAA received the following email message:
"Any company affiliated with ******* can walk off a cliff. All because a company is for not smoking doesn't make them pro their customers. As long as you do work along side a company who can't even provide a phone number for customer service, I will be unable to give you anymore donations. I've provided an alias but when the money stops coming you will know who you have lost and who is to blame (*******)"

Unfortunately, the email address the sender used bounced back to us, but we would like to reiterate that CASAA does not endorse any company. CASAA gratefully accepts donations from both consumer and industry sources, however CASAA does not offer nor give any compensation, privileges, rights, benefits or otherwise special treatment to those who donate financially, link to our web site, volunteer their services/products or display our logo.

As per posted on each page of our web site:
"CASAA encourages the use of a link to the CASAA website as a means of providing accurate, unbiased information to consumers and the industry. Unless otherwise stated on casaa.org, CASAA does not have any affiliation with an organization, business, or individual that displays the CASAA logo or provides a link to the CASAA site."

Please do not misconstrue the presence of the CASAA logo on a merchant site or product display to be an endorsement of that merchant. All it means is that the merchant supports CASAA's mission. Note that CASAA's web site and social networking pages also do not advertise or endorse e-cigarette, tobacco or pharmaceutical merchants or product brands.

Secondly, this message was recently found posted on a consumer forum:
"The entire point in a CONSUMER advocacy group is that it be made up of CONSUMERS and not people with a vested interest in the commercial business side. But it seems to me that CASAA might be a little confused about their mission in general since they have been around since 2009 and I have yet to see them act as consumer advocates once. What CASAA does is industry lobbying, not consumer advocacy."

Unfortunately, some people are under the false impression that CASAA's mission is as a consumer protection organization against the industry and that is not and never has been CASAA's mission.

This is the CASAA Mission Statement, which has been posted on the CASAA web site since day one:
"Our mission is to ensure the availability of effective, affordable and reduced harm alternatives to smoking by increasing public awareness and education; to encourage the testing and development of products to achieve acceptable safety standards and reasonable regulation; and to promote the benefits of reduced harm alternatives."

January 19, 2012 - CASAA Director Greg Conley,
once again advocating for smoke-free alternatives,
at the FDA-TPSAC meeting in Maryland.

CASAA was born from the need for smokeless alternative users to have a collective voice against the anti-tobacco, anti-nicotine organizations calling for banning products from the market without any scientific evidence and spreading misinformation, lies and half-truths to the public and legislators. CASAA is a group of consumers, whose mission is to advocate for reduced harm or smoke-free alternatives, educate the public about the truth about smokeless alternatives and encourage the industry to promote testing and safety practices. CASAA's mission to protect the public comes by fighting for reasonable regulation of innovative, harm-reduction products and against unreasonable legislation. CASAA was not created to police industry business practices, as there are already consumer organizations and government offices set up for that purpose.

CASAA, again from day one, has been a loose co-operation between the industry and consumers, because it was understood that not only are a great number of e-cigarette businesses run by owners who are also consumers of and believe in the product that they sell, but that CASAA would not be able to accomplish it's goals efficiently without the involvement of the industry in advocating for their own products and for the consumers of those products. (CASAA was born in the e-cigarette community, but was ultimately formed as an overall tobacco harm reduction organization.) However, because it was obviously not in the best interests of the consumers for the industry to ever gain majority control over the board of directors, CASAA's bylaws strictly limit the number of directors with a vested interest in the e-cigarette, tobacco or pharmaceutical industry to just 25%. This ensures that consumers, and not any industry, will always have control of majority vote over CASAA's decisions and actions.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us at board@casaa.org and we encourage people to attend our publicly-posted, bimonthly, online member meetings to learn more about who CASAA is and what we are doing to accomplish our mission.

CASAA Member Meeting Sunday 1-22-12

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:58:00 +0000

This Webinar is held every 2 weeks on Sunday, from:

Jan 22, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EASTERN TIME

https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/204379094

Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar.

System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

January Newsletter

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:24:00 +0000

The time to act is NOW!

Call to Action!

CASAA
182 St. Francis St.
Mobile, Alabama 36602
board@casaa.org

Join today!

CASAA is truly a grassroots organization and its success depends completely on the involvement of its members. If you currently use smokeless alternatives such as e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco, your access to these products is threatened. Please consider donating your time or money to help keep smokeless alternatives available, affordable and effective.

CASAA News

Nicotine Patches, Gums Fail to Help Smokers Quit for Good

01-12-2012 14:59:00 PM

By Michelle Fay Cortez and Alex Nussbaum Bloomberg Businessweek Jan. 10 (Bloomberg)

-- Nicotine-replacing gums and patches like those from GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Pfizer Inc. failed to help smokers who quit the habit stay off cigarettes, even when used with professional counseling, a study found. [Read more]...»

Tighter tobacco rules on cruises worry e-smokers

01-12-2012 14:39:00 PM

(Note: This article has quotes from a CASAA member and CASAA President Elaine Keller.)
By Arlene Satchell, Sun Sentinel 11:51 a.m. EST, January 12, 2012

A growing number of smokers are now using electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes to try to kick their tobacco products habit, but cruise lines don't agree on where to ban and where to permit e-cigarettes at sea. Some lump them with traditional tobacco cigarette smokers, while others give them near free rein in new policies that recently took effect or will soon. The policies pose a quandary for anyone who wants to enjoy a cruise but is trying hard to stay smoke-free. "I know I'd cancel any plans of a cruise vacation if I thought my electronic cigarette wasn't welcome on board the cruise ship and I know I'm not alone," said Laurel O'Neill of Nokomis, Fla. [Read more]...»

Augusta - Richmond County, GA Call to Action (UPDATE!)

01-12-2012 14:24:00 PM

UPDATE: The Public Services Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Jan. 18 in the commission chamber at the municipal building for a special work session. Public hearings have already taken place on this proposed ordinance (and an e-cigarette user attended and spoke), so it is vital that e-mails are sent as soon as possible. Text: http://www.scribd.com/doc/69513527/Augusta-GA-Proposed-Smoking-Ban-With-E-Cigarettes This Ordinance could: Ban the use of electronic cigarettes, regardless of whether or not they contain nicotine, in places where tobacco cigarette smoking is prohibited. [Read more]...»

North Myrtle Beach, SC Call to Action

01-12-2012 14:16:00 PM

"Smoking in Public Places" Link to City Council Worshop Summary The North Myrtle Beach city council has stated publicly their intention to include electronic cigarettes in this ordinance, as they are concerned that people might not be able to distinguish an e-cigarette from a real cigarette in certain situations. The ordinance has yet to be published with the inclusion of e-cigarettes. This ordinance would presumably: Ban the use of electronic cigarettes in any public place where smoking is disallowed. The Council is meeting on Monday, January 23rd at 7:00 pm, to vote on the ordinance. Public comments will be allowed from any attendees wishing to speak. We strongly encourage local electronic cigarette users to attend and comment at the meeting. If you would like assistance with what to say, please contact us at board@casaa.org. [Read More]...»

Greek e-cigarette study called "amateur propaganda"

01-12-2012 14:01:00 PM

"This is the first evidence that just one (e-cigarette) use can have acute physiologic effects," said lead researcher Constantine I. Vardavas, of the Center for Global Tobacco Control at the Harvard School of Public Health.For the new study, Vardavas and colleagues in Athens had 30 healthy smokers puff on an e-cigarette to see how it affected their airways. The researchers found that after five minutes, users showed signs of airway constriction -- as measured by several types of breathing tests -- and of inflammation.

Or so says this quote from a recent Reuters article. Of course, the anti-tobacco and nicotine crowd, along with some media outlets, have picked up on this as "proof" that e-cigarettes are not "safe."

However, in a review by Dr. Michael Siegel of the published research paper, the study actually shows that "in contrast to both tobacco cigarette smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, which have been shown to cause acute impairment of lung function, electronic cigarettes have no acute effect on pulmonary function as measured by spirometry testing."
"...»

CASAA Member Meeting Sunday 1-08-12

01-07-2012 16:33:00 PM

This Webinar is held every 2 weeks on Sunday, from: Jan 8, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EDT Register Now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/204379094 Once registered you will receive an email confirming your registration with information you need to join the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer ...»

Indianapolis-Marion County, IN Call to Action

01-04-2012 19:06:00 PM

A PROPOSAL FOR A GENERAL ORDINANCE amending Sec. 616 with respect to nonsmoking areas.

Link: http://www.indy.gov/egov/council/proposals/pages/home.aspx (#352)

This ordinance would: Ban the use of electronic cigarettes in any public place where smoking is disallowed. ...»

And the Cassie goes to....

01-02-2012 22:47:00 PM

Nicknamed the "Cassie," the annual CASAA "Butt-Head of the Year" awards are given to public health professionals and legislators "in recognition of the most creative truth-telling, incredible inaccuracy and exceptional fact-twisting in tobacco harm reduction."

These are the winners of 2011:

And the winner of the Cassie (with 56% of the vote) is...
The White House
The Twist: "E-cigarettes may contain ingredients that are known to be toxic to humans or otherwise harm public health -- for example, if they are attractive to young people and lead kids to try other tobacco products, including conventional cigarettes, which are known to cause disease and lead to premature death. Because clinical studies of these products have not been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consumers currently have no way of knowing what types or concentrations of potentially harmful chemicals are found in these products, or how much nicotine people inhale when they use these products. FDA is taking steps, as authorized by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, to include electronic cigarettes under the agency's regulatory authority....»

End Canada's ban on electronic cigarettes

01-02-2012 20:41:00 PM

Jesse Kline National Post
To the uninitiated, walking into this suburban Toronto bar must look like a throwback to the 1980s. A cloud of what appears to be smoke can be seen hovering over a group at the far end of the establishment.

But a quick check of the sense confirms that looks can be deceiving.The air is fresh, lacking the pungent aroma of burning tobacco; the eyes aren't watering with the sting of fresh smoke seeping into the sockets; and instead of ash trays and cigarette packs, the tables are full of small bottles of liquid and other pieces of equipment. ...»

State of Wisconsin Call to Action!

12-27-2011 22:39:00 PM

Call to Action for Wisconsin RESIDENTS! LRB 1287/1 and 3573/1:AN ACT to renumber 101.123 (1) (h); and to create 101.123 (1) (h) 2m. of the statutes.

This bill specifies that the term "smoking," for purposes of the general prohibition against smoking in indoor locations, does not include holding, or inhaling or exhaling vapor or a vaporized solution from, an electronic device that does not contain tobacco.

This bill would: Specifically exempt electronic cigarettes from the statewide indoor smoking ban. ...»

Successful smoking cessation with electronic cigarettes in smokers with a documented history of recurring relapses: a case series

12-22-2011 16:00:00 PM

Abstract Introduction: Smoking cessation programs are useful in helping smokers to quit, but smoking is a very difficult addiction to break and the need for novel and effective approaches to smoking cessation interventions is unquestionable. The E-cigarette is a battery-powered electronic nicotine delivery device that may help smokers to remain abstinent during their quit attempt. We report for the first time objective measures of smoking cessation in smokers who experimented with the E-cigarette. Case presentation: Three Caucasian smokers (two men aged 47 and 65 years and one woman aged 38 years) with a documented history of recurring relapses were able to quit and to remain abstinent for at least six months after taking up a cigarette....»

Institute recommendations will block development/approval of reduced risk tobacco products

12-19-2011 13:23:00 PM

This commentary appears today on Dr. Siegel's tobacco policy blog, at: http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/12/iom-report-on-modified-risk-tobacco.html.

IOM Report on Modified Risk Tobacco Products Interprets Tobacco Act as Putting Insurmountable Barriers in the Way of Reduced Risk Tobacco Products

The Institute of Medicine last week released its long-awaited report on the scientific evidence required to support designation of tobacco products as modified risk products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act [the Tobacco Act]. The report recommends that extensive scientific evidence, including findings from randomized controlled trials and longitudinal cohort studies, be required to show that potential reduced risk products will reduce individual health risks and improve the public's health on a population basis....»

CASAA Member Meeting Sunday 12-17-11

12-17-2011 22:40:00 PM

Title: CASAA member Meeting Date: Sunday, December 18, 2011 Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM EST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements: PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/485125966 ...»

CASAA welcomes new directors

12-11-2011 16:52:00 PM

In the past few weeks, the CASAA Board of Directors has gratefully expanded with the addition of two new directors, welcoming Karen Carey (MA) and Michael Cozzi (IL). Along with determination and passion, Mrs. Carey brings a background in accounting and experience running the New England Vapers group and Mr. Cozzi, brings extensive IT experience to CASAA as well as being a well-known figure in the e-cigarette review and tutorial video world.

The newest board members join the other 2011 additions: Secretary Jacinda Ross (UT), who is a local e-cigarette activist and has also taken on the demanding role as "the face of CASAA" on several vaping-related online shows joined the Board in July and Treasurer Gregory Conley (NJ), a law student (often referred to as CASAA's new "rock star") who joined the Board in February and tirelessly follows tobacco harm reduction legislation for the organization and has already contributed invaluable media contacts, FOIA documents, public testimony and legal support for CASAA.

Dorothy Taylor, who is an LPN and active e-cigarette advocate who contributes her medical expertise to the cause, also joined the board back in February. The current Board of Directors also consists of Ron Ward (MD), informally acting as CASAA legal director, who joined the board in August 2010 and founding directors President Elaine Keller (VA); Vice President Kristin Noll-Marsh; Thad Marney (OR); Drew Gliem (NJ) and medical director Theresa Witt (TX)....»

Boston Globe publishes CASAA letter

12-10-2011 17:56:00 PM

The Boston Globe published CASAA President Elaine Keller's Letter to the Editor, which is responding to the editorial that chided e-cigarette manufacturers for "resisiting FDA regulation".

E-cigarette makers have devised smoking substitute that works THE DEC. 3 editorial "Banned in Boston, for now'' blames manufacturers of e-cigarettes for resisting "efforts at regulation by the federal Food and Drug Administration by labeling e-cigarettes as devices for smoking pleasure, not therapeutic devices for nicotine replacement.'' Why would the Globe want manufacturers to misrepresent the intended purpose of the products?

Technically speaking, there is no such thing as a therapeutic product for nicotine replacement. Nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, and prescription inhalers should more properly be referred to as "nicotine weaning therapy'' products. Directions instruct consumers to use the products for a specified length of time, reduce the dosage of nicotine, and then discontinue use.

Unfortunately, they don't work well. By the time treatment is completed, most consumers have already relapsed, and a year after treatment, 95 percent have resumed smoking. The idea behind e-cigarettes is to provide the nicotine that a smoker craves while eliminating nearly all of the smoking-related hazards.

Medicinal drugs and devices must undergo years of testing, costing as much as $800 million, and receive FDA approval before they can be sold for therapeutic purposes. E-cigarettes are intended to serve as a replacement for smoking, and they appear to work extremely well for this purpose. More than 90 percent of consumers who switch to e-cigarettes report better lung health, better markers of cardiovascular health, and improved stamina. In view of the fact that those who directly inhale the nicotine vapor are enjoying better health, how could the vapor they exhale, having been filtered through their lungs, be harmful to bystanders?

ELAINE KELLER President The Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives Association Springfield, Va....»

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Nicotine Patches, Gums Fail to Help Smokers Quit for Good

noreply@blogger.com (Kristin Noll-Marsh) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:59:00 +0000

By Michelle Fay Cortez and Alex Nussbaum
Bloomberg Businessweek

Jan. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Nicotine-replacing gums and patches like those from GlaxoSmithKline Plc and Pfizer Inc. failed to help smokers who quit the habit stay off cigarettes, even when used with professional counseling, a study found.

Researchers surveying 781 former smokers found almost a third relapsed even after using nicotine replacement products. Scientists said the results cast doubt on the long-term benefit of products like Pfizer’s Nicotrol inhaler and GlaxoSmithKline’s NicoDerm CQ patch and Nicorette gum, leaders in a market worth $1.2 billion annually, according to IMS Health, a research firm.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration should only approve products that have been shown to help smokers quit and stay off cigarettes for years, said researcher Gregory Connolly, director of the Center for Global Tobacco Control at Harvard School of Public Health, in a statement.

“Using nicotine replacement therapy is no more effective in helping people stop smoking cigarettes in the long-term than trying to quit on one’s own,” said lead author Hillel Alpert, a Harvard research scientist.

[Read more]