[ Just paste broken links shown in purple directly into your browser - the extra line doesn't matter. Pls. PM me if you have more recent info. about proposed/actual legislation, if you think I've missed an important story, or if you want more tweaks to the formatting program. ]
For some interesting reason, a worldwide collective yawn seems to have greeted the decision by the SF board of supervisors to prohibit indoor and outdoor vaping wherever smoking cigarettes is banned. (Stories in COLLECTION 1 at the end.)
1) City of Lancashire considering a ban on selling vaping products at outdoor markets.
2) Georgia state U. regents ban indoor and outdoor vaping on all college campuses.
3) Press Release from the MN Health Dept on poison control center calls continues to generate bogus alarmist headines around MN, but apparently isn't going nationwide yet. (See COLLECTION 2 at end.)
Coverage: UK (LA), Ireland, US States: MA, NJ, PA, GA, MI, OK, OR, CA
Also: Dr. Siegel's hour-long discussion on NH public radio with the NH state public health dir.; Gary Cox on LB CA's ultra-restrictive ord; new balanced commentary in CA on vaping and the future of Tobacco Control.
***
BLOGS, STUDIES, ETC.
Title: New Hampshire Public Radio - The Exchange Segment on Electronic Cigarettes and Smoking
(Dr. Siegel's blog)
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-hampshire-public-radio-exchange.html]
One-hour exchange between Dr. Siegel and Dr. Jose Montero - director of Public Health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. I downloaded it, but haven't had the chance to listen to it. If someone would be so kind as to do so, and post it as a followup here (or in another thread), I'd be greatly appreciative.
Title: Long Beach Blues
(ECF's InfoZone)
Long Beach Blues - ECF InfoZone
Gary Cox on the role of vape shops and lounges, and the effect of Long Beach CA's ordinance, which has the dubious status of being the second-most restrictive in the world (other than a complete indoor ban as in Chicago and New York, or a total prohibition of vaping).
Title: E-cigarettes and the future of tobacco control [Commentary]
(CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians)
E-cigarettes and the future of tobacco control - Glynn - 2014 - CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Wiley Online Library
Amazingly balanced piece which is entirely free of the junk studies and citations.
"E-cigarettes and future nicotine delivery products may indeed have the potential to make an important, and even game-changing, contribution to public health by helping some, or many, smokers stop, especially in the context of, as noted in the 2014 Surgeon General's Report, 'an environment where the appeal, accessibility, promotion, and use of (combusted) cigarettes are being rapidly reduced.' Whether they will be a 'magic bullet' any more than other smoking cessation tools have been, at least to date, remains unclear and awaits badly needed objective research. However, their safety and effectiveness, as well as their potential to keep some smokers from quitting and possibly encourage young people to start smoking, require both investigation and thoughtful behavior and commentary by those on either side of this issue.[para break]
This research and regulation process should move forward as quickly as possible. Delayed regulations, and intrascience disputes based on opinion and not data, can only harm public health. If, at some point in the very near future, the preponderance of objective data show e-cigarettes to be demonstrably unsafe and/or ineffective, we will want to move on to other approaches that can lower the appalling toll from cigarette smoking. Or, in a similarly abbreviated time span, if objective data demonstrate their safety compared with combusted cigarettes and their effectiveness compared with current treatment approaches for tobacco dependence, then smokers can add e-cigarettes to the menu of options they can use to end their combusted cigarette habit and extend their lives."
***
WORLD
Title: E-cigarette company creates invisible vapor
(Conservative US News Site) http://dailycaller
.com/2014/03/19/e-cigarette-company-creates-invisible-vapor/
Brief junk-free report on JAC's Clear Steam, reported in this space on 3/13.
Title: Trade of the Day: Lorillard (LO)
(Investor 'zine) http://investorplace.com/2014/03/trade-of-the-day-lorillard-e-cigarette-brands/#
.Uyokts5obfg
Noteworthy mainly for the writer's comment about the regulatory environment, and the fact that "state attorneys general have come out strongly against retailers selling tobacco products this week." In other words, the war on vaping may create volatility for investors in Lorillard's share price, which is going to be increasingly determined by the vaping market, as more smokers make the switch.
---
UK: LANCASHIRE
Title: Should e-cigarettes be banned from markets?
(Lancashire LA UK local newspaper colletion site) http://www.thevisitor
.co.uk/news/local/should-e-cigarettes-be-banned-from-markets-1-6506392
As an American, reading this headline makes me wonder whether an outdoor vaping ban is under consideration. No such thing - the US politicians' passion for prohibiting outdoor vaping in parks on train platforms, college campuses, parking structures, and on as many sidewalks as possible hasn't yet managed to reach the other side of the pond. Instead, this is about whether the city of Lancashire should permit sales of vaping devices and e-liquids can be allowed in outdoor markets (something that would be unheard of in the US or Canada). No junk.
***
IRELAND
Title: Scaremongering or safe? The two sides to banning e-cigarettes in restaurants
(Ireland nat'l paper) http://www.thejournal
.ie/e-cigarettes-restaurants-ireland-1368595-Mar2014/
This brief and rather uninformative piece surveys business owners, but says little about whether Ire. is going to pass a nat'l vaping=smoking indoor clean air act. Vaping is banned on busses and trains. No junk.
***
US NATIONAL
Title: Retailers feel the heat over tobacco sales
(US National News Network) http://www.cbsnews
.com/news/retailers-feel-the-heat-over-tobacco-sales/
Brief junk-free report on the letter sent by 28 state A/Gs to large US retailers, asking them to stop selling "tobacco products." Amazingly, vaping products aren't specifically mentioned in the letter, which refers to the public health issues associated with tobacco cigarettes. (But since there's no difference according to many of these A/Gs, one has to wonder why this omission occured.)
Unfortunately the CBS story seamlessly integrates vaping and smoking, citing a junk statistic from the ALA which implies that youth smoking rates haven't declined of late:
"The American Lung Association and other health advocates have become alarmed at the growing popularity of cigars and e-cigarettes among young people. Youth smoking rates, which had declined for years, have lately plateaued."
Title: As E-Cigarette Bans Take Effect In U.S. Cities, Doctors Call For National Measures To Protect Children
(BP-funded nat'l 'zine) http://www.healthnewsdigest
.com/news/Children_s_Health_200/As-E-Cigarette-Bans-Take-Effect-In-U-S-Cities-Doctors-Call-For-National-Measures-To-Protect-Children.shtml
This poorly researched alarmist junk-laden throwaway piece is long on fear-mongering boilerplate quotes from MDs and short on anything remotely resembling facts and science. Your Correspondent is astonished that the writer appears to be unware of the Dutra/Glantz JAMA paper which alleges that vaping is the new minor-gateway-to-tobacco use. Other than the unregulated status of vaping, the sole cited fact is (naturally) the CDC figure on minors who have tried vaping. (BP rakes in billions a year in profits, and this is all they can afford?)
---
US: MASSACHUSETTS
Title: Are E-Cigarettes A Safe Alternative?
(Boston MA US CBS affiliate) http://boston.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/18/are-e-cigarettes-a-safe-alternative/
This very short piece looks as if it was written by a HS student. Two-sentence summary: E-cigs are not "safe," because they come in "child friendly" flavorings, are not regulated by the FDA, and a physician says that they are creating a "whole new generation of users." The Dr. also says "we don't know about nicotine exposure ... all I know is that I don't want my child getting hold of one of these."
(That's all we know about e-cigarette 'safety.') This story is filed under "local" - not "parenting." Perhaps we'll see it in other affiliates soon.
[ HB 3726 would ban vaping wherever smoking is banned, see CASAA call: CASAA: Call to Action! Massachusetts E-Cigarette Usage Ban -- HB 3726 (formerly HB 3639) (UPDATED) ]
---
US: NEW JERSEY
Title: Letter: If N.J. boosts electronic cigarette tax, it should tax junk food, too
(Woodbury NJ US local paper) http://www.nj
.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/03/letter_if_nj_lifts_electronic_cigarette_tax_it_should_tax_junk_food_too.html
Title says it all, except that Greg's last name is spelled as "Cooley" not "Conley."
[ NJ's house bill A1080 was originally proposed as a ban on tobacco smoking in parks and beaches, but was immediately ammended to include vaping as soon as it got on to the house floor. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-all-public-parks-beaches.html#post12349761
Also, Gov. Christie says he wants to tax vaping at the same rate as analogs:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ual-2-70-pack-cigarette-tax.html#post12450301
And:
CASAA: Call to Action! New Jersey's Governor Christie is Proposing a Tax on E-Cigarettes at the Same Rate as Combustible Cigarettes ]
---
US: PENNSYLVANIA
Title: Letters: E-cig truths lost in political smoke
(Philadelphia PA US web site) http://www.philly
.com/philly/opinion/20140319_Letters__E-cig_truths_lost_in_political_smoke.html
Letter from Jason Heal, Pres. of Blu (owned by Lorrilard, makers of Newports). Does a good job of describing what vapers all know about the coverage of vaping in the media, and its treatment by ignorant-at-best elected officials. Although it does contain some surprising assertions, such as "Why would a smoker switch to an e-cigarette if he or she must go outside to vape with cigarette smokers? Why would they switch if electronic cigarettes are being treated the same as combustible cigarettes?" (This blanket statement contradicts the emphasis on harm reduction. Many vapers will switch, but if the punishment for doing so is too severe, there will be less incentive.) Generally, Your Corresponent thinks this is written in language that will not reach the average reader who knows nothing about vaping, and is yet another piece of evidence for the idea that anti-vaping forces are much more effective at messaging.
[ See CASAA alert on Philadelphia: CASAA: Call to Action! Philadelphia E-Cigarette Usage Ban and: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...c-cigarettes-existing-indoor-smoking-ban.html ]
---
US: GEORGIA
Title: Georgia bans smoking and tobacco products on state university campuses
(Reuters) http://www.reuters
.com/article/2014/03/19/usa-georgia-smoking-idUSL2N0MG1KJ20140319
Georgia University system board of regents votes to ban all tobacco products (including vaping) from all campuses - both indoors and outdoors.
"'Our aim with this policy is to preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of employees and any persons occupying (campus) facilities,' said Marion Fedrick, the University System of Georgia's vice chancellor for human resources."
No junk as such in the story, except that it cites the usual statistics about deaths from smoking-related illnesses, reflecting the standard idea that vaping is tobacco smoking.
[ GA's SB 347 and HB 251 are simple minor bans, but with internet age verification requirements. HB 251 bas passed the house. ]
---
US: MICHIGAN
Title: e-cigarette ban for minors?
(UP MI US local paper based in Negaunee) http://www.uppermichiganssource
.com/news/story.aspx?id=1020603#.UyoXoc5obfg
The first part of this story is properly credited to AP - it's the boilerplate report about the decision of the Nat'l ...'n of Convenience and Food Retailers to recommend to its members that minors be prohibited from buying vaping products. It closes by asking its readers to vote in a poll about whether a federal minor sales/possession should be passed. Apparently the writers don't realize that the feds don't generally do this with otherwise-legal products (for ex., there is no federal ban on minor purchases or possession of alchohol, except on federal enclaves: i.e. it doesn't apply to property which isn't administered by the US gov't.)
[ MI appears to have several simple minor sales bans in the works - SB 667/8 and HB 4997 5007. SB 667/8 have passed the Sen. Most significantly, MI is under threat from HB 5393, which would effectively ban vaping sales entirely:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/legislation-news/536975-michigan-legislation.html ]
---
US: OKLAHOMA
Title: Oklahoma leaders should say no to special deals for e-cigarette makers
(OK City OK US local paper) http://newsok
.com/oklahoma-leaders-should-say-no-to-special-deals-for-e-cigarette-makers/article/3944628
Regional ALA CEO writes opinion, but might not deserve a raise this year. She does cite Dutra & Glantz, but for some strange reason forgets to use any number of other junk studies, or smear all vapers with BT's reputation, etc.
"E-cigarette use among kids has doubled in one year. There are more than 250 e-cigarette brands; over half offer fruit or candy flavors, including cotton candy, bubble gum and even Capn Crunch. Developing products that appeal to kids is a classic move by the tobacco industry, which attracts kids so they become lifetime nicotine users. We must protect children from going down this path to addiction and possibly even death. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, teens who used e-cigarettes were more likely to smoke real cigarettes and less likely to quit than students who didnt use the devices. E-cigarettes are a gateway product to cigarettes for our kids not an alternative."
Apparently "special deals," is a reference to the lack of an additional "sin tax" on vaping.
[ SB 1892 is a mixed bag for proponents of smoke-free alternatives, because it raises the tax on Snus and other smokeless products, but exempts vaping. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...g-bills-introduced-oklahoma-hearing-held.html
and: Oklahoma -- OK! - ECF InfoZone OK also has S1602 - is it ready for the sen. floor? Same Q about H3104 (also minor sales ban?) ]
Title: How safe is your E-Cigarette and/or vapor product?
(Tahlequah, OK US Native American Web site) http://nativetimes.com/index
.php/life/health/9698-how-safe-is-your-e-cigarette-and-or-vapor-product
Talequah city council votes March 24 to consider a vaping=smoking clean air act extension.
Amateur hit job piece which is clearly intended to let the reader know that vaping is extremely dangerous.
"'If you are around somebody who is using e-cigarettes, you are breathing an aerosol of exhaled nicotine, ultra-fine particles, volatile organic compounds, and other toxins.' Dr. Stanton Glantz, Director for the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco. At least 10 chemicals identified in e-cigarette aerosol are on Californias Proposition 65 list of carcinogens and reproductive toxins, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The compounds that have already been identified in mainstream or secondhand e-cigarette aerosol include: Acetaldehyde (MS), Benzene (SS), Cadmium (MS), Formaldehyde (MS, SS), Isoprene (SS), Nickel (MS), Nicotine (MS, SS), N-Nitrosonornicotine (MS, SS), Toluene (MS, SS)."
As reported in this space on 3/14, Talequah OK tabled a vaping=smoking indoor clean air act extension last fall despite an offer of a $100K grant from OK state MSA funds.
---
US: OREGON
Title: The e-cigarette market is growing like wildfire, leaving health officials in a haze
(Portland OR US alternative free weekly) http://www.wweek
.com/portland/article-22170-blowing_vapor.html
This piece contains essentially no junk, although this is (mostly) what we might expect from a Portland alternative weekly. Article notes that Multnomah Co. is considering a simple minor sales/possession ban (Multnomah co. contains most of the Portland metro area). Amazingly, neither the co. nor Portland has passed a vaping=smoking extension to its indoor clean air act. Ominously a st. rep. says: "Just saying this cant be sold to someone under 18 is not going to be that effective."
[ The OR legislature is no longer in session. Both HB 4073 (a simple minor sales/possession ban) and HB 4073 (vaping=smoking extension to clean indoor air act) died this year, in part because the ANTZ org.s may have overplayed their hand. ]
***
COLLECTION 1: SAN FRANCISCO CA
Unlike the decisions in other major cities, the unanimous vote by the SF Bd. of Supervisors was widely expected, and generated very little coverage in the form of rather brief stories. (Not a single one of them contains the sentence "E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices ... [etc.]") Even the notoriously anti-vaping SacBee couldn't manage to produce a hit job, and settled for reprinting the AP story, although perhaps we'll see another despicable editorial soon.
Title: S.F. supes vote for same smoking laws for e-cigarettes
(Bay Area CA US collection site) http://www.sfgate
.com/bayarea/article/S-F-supes-vote-for-same-smoking-laws-for-5329328.php
Glantz quote about toxins and metals supplies the junk here.
Title: E-cigarettes to become illegal in San Francisco restaurants and bars
(SF CA local paper) http://insidescoopsf.sfgate
.com/blog/2014/03/19/e-cigarettes-to-become-illegal-in-san-francisco-restaurants-and-bars/
No junk
Title: San Francisco Is The Latest City To Restrict E-Cigarettes Under Anti-Smoking Laws
(Nat'l US web site) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/2014/03/19/e-cigarettes-ban-san-francisco_n_4995546.html
Title: San Francisco approves e-cigarette regulations
(AP) http://www.mercurynews
.com/california/ci_25374654/san-francisco-approves-e-cigarette-regulations
Title: San Francisco approves e-cigarette ban
http://www.staradvertiser
.com/news/breaking/20140319_San_Francisco_approves_ecigarett
Title: SF Votes To Ban Electronic Cigarettes In Some Public Places
http://sacramento.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/19/sf-votes-to-ban-electronic-cigarettes-in-some-public-places/ e_ban.html
Title: San Francisco bans use of electronic cigarettes at bars, restaurants, businesses
http://www.10news
.com/news/san-francisco-bans-use-of-electronic-cigarettes-at-bars-restaurants-businesses-031914
No junk other than Supervisor Eric Mar's comment that the goal is to limit access by children.
***
COLLECTION 2: POISON CONTROL CENTER CALL STORIES FROM MINNESOTA
MN Dept of Health issues press release on poison control center calls due to vaping. The Star-Tribune provides the helpful headline that you see below, and even AP decided to refer to these as "case." Your Correspondent has to wonder whether these press releases occur on some kind of regular schedule, or whether the Health Dep't had noticed that several bills are now pending in the state legislature. Is this "lobbying" of elected officials? Guess not.
Title: E-cig poisoning cases on rise among children
(Twin Cities MN US NBC affiliate) http://www.kare11
.com/story/news/health/2014/03/18/e-cig-poisoning-cases-on-rise-among-children/6591559/
Title: Increase in e-cigarette poisonings concerns anti-smoking advocate
(Duluth MN US local paper) http://www.duluthnewstribune
.com/content/increase-e-cigarette-poisonings-concerns-anti-smoking-advocate
Title: HEALTH ALERT: E-cigarette contents can cause poisoning
(Twin Cities MN US Fox affiliate) http://www.myfoxtwincities
.com/story/25012429/health-alert-e-cigarette-contents-can-cause-poisoning
Title: Poisoning by e-cigarette fluid up sharply among kids, Minn. report says
(Twin Cities MN US local paper) http://www.startribune
.com/lifestyle/health/250820261.html
Title: Poison control center says cases involving e-cigarette juice rise sharply in 2013
(AP via Twin Cities MN US local paper) http://www.startribune
.com/lifestyle/health/250808021.html@
http://minnesota.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/18/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharpl http://www.twincities
.com/news/ci_25366858/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharply
http://www.wdio
.com/article/stories/S3365832.shtml
http://www.winonadailynews
.com/news/state-and-regional/mn/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharply/article_0679ff3f-c795-5e1f-a232-4c4118fa460a.html
http://www.therepublic
.com/w/MN--E-Cigarette-Poisoning
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
For some interesting reason, a worldwide collective yawn seems to have greeted the decision by the SF board of supervisors to prohibit indoor and outdoor vaping wherever smoking cigarettes is banned. (Stories in COLLECTION 1 at the end.)
1) City of Lancashire considering a ban on selling vaping products at outdoor markets.
2) Georgia state U. regents ban indoor and outdoor vaping on all college campuses.
3) Press Release from the MN Health Dept on poison control center calls continues to generate bogus alarmist headines around MN, but apparently isn't going nationwide yet. (See COLLECTION 2 at end.)
Coverage: UK (LA), Ireland, US States: MA, NJ, PA, GA, MI, OK, OR, CA
Also: Dr. Siegel's hour-long discussion on NH public radio with the NH state public health dir.; Gary Cox on LB CA's ultra-restrictive ord; new balanced commentary in CA on vaping and the future of Tobacco Control.
***
BLOGS, STUDIES, ETC.
Title: New Hampshire Public Radio - The Exchange Segment on Electronic Cigarettes and Smoking
(Dr. Siegel's blog)
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-hampshire-public-radio-exchange.html]
One-hour exchange between Dr. Siegel and Dr. Jose Montero - director of Public Health at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. I downloaded it, but haven't had the chance to listen to it. If someone would be so kind as to do so, and post it as a followup here (or in another thread), I'd be greatly appreciative.
Title: Long Beach Blues
(ECF's InfoZone)
Long Beach Blues - ECF InfoZone
Gary Cox on the role of vape shops and lounges, and the effect of Long Beach CA's ordinance, which has the dubious status of being the second-most restrictive in the world (other than a complete indoor ban as in Chicago and New York, or a total prohibition of vaping).
Title: E-cigarettes and the future of tobacco control [Commentary]
(CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians)
E-cigarettes and the future of tobacco control - Glynn - 2014 - CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians - Wiley Online Library
Amazingly balanced piece which is entirely free of the junk studies and citations.
"E-cigarettes and future nicotine delivery products may indeed have the potential to make an important, and even game-changing, contribution to public health by helping some, or many, smokers stop, especially in the context of, as noted in the 2014 Surgeon General's Report, 'an environment where the appeal, accessibility, promotion, and use of (combusted) cigarettes are being rapidly reduced.' Whether they will be a 'magic bullet' any more than other smoking cessation tools have been, at least to date, remains unclear and awaits badly needed objective research. However, their safety and effectiveness, as well as their potential to keep some smokers from quitting and possibly encourage young people to start smoking, require both investigation and thoughtful behavior and commentary by those on either side of this issue.[para break]
This research and regulation process should move forward as quickly as possible. Delayed regulations, and intrascience disputes based on opinion and not data, can only harm public health. If, at some point in the very near future, the preponderance of objective data show e-cigarettes to be demonstrably unsafe and/or ineffective, we will want to move on to other approaches that can lower the appalling toll from cigarette smoking. Or, in a similarly abbreviated time span, if objective data demonstrate their safety compared with combusted cigarettes and their effectiveness compared with current treatment approaches for tobacco dependence, then smokers can add e-cigarettes to the menu of options they can use to end their combusted cigarette habit and extend their lives."
***
WORLD
Title: E-cigarette company creates invisible vapor
(Conservative US News Site) http://dailycaller
.com/2014/03/19/e-cigarette-company-creates-invisible-vapor/
Brief junk-free report on JAC's Clear Steam, reported in this space on 3/13.
Title: Trade of the Day: Lorillard (LO)
(Investor 'zine) http://investorplace.com/2014/03/trade-of-the-day-lorillard-e-cigarette-brands/#
.Uyokts5obfg
Noteworthy mainly for the writer's comment about the regulatory environment, and the fact that "state attorneys general have come out strongly against retailers selling tobacco products this week." In other words, the war on vaping may create volatility for investors in Lorillard's share price, which is going to be increasingly determined by the vaping market, as more smokers make the switch.
---
UK: LANCASHIRE
Title: Should e-cigarettes be banned from markets?
(Lancashire LA UK local newspaper colletion site) http://www.thevisitor
.co.uk/news/local/should-e-cigarettes-be-banned-from-markets-1-6506392
As an American, reading this headline makes me wonder whether an outdoor vaping ban is under consideration. No such thing - the US politicians' passion for prohibiting outdoor vaping in parks on train platforms, college campuses, parking structures, and on as many sidewalks as possible hasn't yet managed to reach the other side of the pond. Instead, this is about whether the city of Lancashire should permit sales of vaping devices and e-liquids can be allowed in outdoor markets (something that would be unheard of in the US or Canada). No junk.
***
IRELAND
Title: Scaremongering or safe? The two sides to banning e-cigarettes in restaurants
(Ireland nat'l paper) http://www.thejournal
.ie/e-cigarettes-restaurants-ireland-1368595-Mar2014/
This brief and rather uninformative piece surveys business owners, but says little about whether Ire. is going to pass a nat'l vaping=smoking indoor clean air act. Vaping is banned on busses and trains. No junk.
***
US NATIONAL
Title: Retailers feel the heat over tobacco sales
(US National News Network) http://www.cbsnews
.com/news/retailers-feel-the-heat-over-tobacco-sales/
Brief junk-free report on the letter sent by 28 state A/Gs to large US retailers, asking them to stop selling "tobacco products." Amazingly, vaping products aren't specifically mentioned in the letter, which refers to the public health issues associated with tobacco cigarettes. (But since there's no difference according to many of these A/Gs, one has to wonder why this omission occured.)
Unfortunately the CBS story seamlessly integrates vaping and smoking, citing a junk statistic from the ALA which implies that youth smoking rates haven't declined of late:
"The American Lung Association and other health advocates have become alarmed at the growing popularity of cigars and e-cigarettes among young people. Youth smoking rates, which had declined for years, have lately plateaued."
Title: As E-Cigarette Bans Take Effect In U.S. Cities, Doctors Call For National Measures To Protect Children
(BP-funded nat'l 'zine) http://www.healthnewsdigest
.com/news/Children_s_Health_200/As-E-Cigarette-Bans-Take-Effect-In-U-S-Cities-Doctors-Call-For-National-Measures-To-Protect-Children.shtml
This poorly researched alarmist junk-laden throwaway piece is long on fear-mongering boilerplate quotes from MDs and short on anything remotely resembling facts and science. Your Correspondent is astonished that the writer appears to be unware of the Dutra/Glantz JAMA paper which alleges that vaping is the new minor-gateway-to-tobacco use. Other than the unregulated status of vaping, the sole cited fact is (naturally) the CDC figure on minors who have tried vaping. (BP rakes in billions a year in profits, and this is all they can afford?)
---
US: MASSACHUSETTS
Title: Are E-Cigarettes A Safe Alternative?
(Boston MA US CBS affiliate) http://boston.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/18/are-e-cigarettes-a-safe-alternative/
This very short piece looks as if it was written by a HS student. Two-sentence summary: E-cigs are not "safe," because they come in "child friendly" flavorings, are not regulated by the FDA, and a physician says that they are creating a "whole new generation of users." The Dr. also says "we don't know about nicotine exposure ... all I know is that I don't want my child getting hold of one of these."
(That's all we know about e-cigarette 'safety.') This story is filed under "local" - not "parenting." Perhaps we'll see it in other affiliates soon.
[ HB 3726 would ban vaping wherever smoking is banned, see CASAA call: CASAA: Call to Action! Massachusetts E-Cigarette Usage Ban -- HB 3726 (formerly HB 3639) (UPDATED) ]
---
US: NEW JERSEY
Title: Letter: If N.J. boosts electronic cigarette tax, it should tax junk food, too
(Woodbury NJ US local paper) http://www.nj
.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/03/letter_if_nj_lifts_electronic_cigarette_tax_it_should_tax_junk_food_too.html
Title says it all, except that Greg's last name is spelled as "Cooley" not "Conley."
[ NJ's house bill A1080 was originally proposed as a ban on tobacco smoking in parks and beaches, but was immediately ammended to include vaping as soon as it got on to the house floor. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-all-public-parks-beaches.html#post12349761
Also, Gov. Christie says he wants to tax vaping at the same rate as analogs:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ual-2-70-pack-cigarette-tax.html#post12450301
And:
CASAA: Call to Action! New Jersey's Governor Christie is Proposing a Tax on E-Cigarettes at the Same Rate as Combustible Cigarettes ]
---
US: PENNSYLVANIA
Title: Letters: E-cig truths lost in political smoke
(Philadelphia PA US web site) http://www.philly
.com/philly/opinion/20140319_Letters__E-cig_truths_lost_in_political_smoke.html
Letter from Jason Heal, Pres. of Blu (owned by Lorrilard, makers of Newports). Does a good job of describing what vapers all know about the coverage of vaping in the media, and its treatment by ignorant-at-best elected officials. Although it does contain some surprising assertions, such as "Why would a smoker switch to an e-cigarette if he or she must go outside to vape with cigarette smokers? Why would they switch if electronic cigarettes are being treated the same as combustible cigarettes?" (This blanket statement contradicts the emphasis on harm reduction. Many vapers will switch, but if the punishment for doing so is too severe, there will be less incentive.) Generally, Your Corresponent thinks this is written in language that will not reach the average reader who knows nothing about vaping, and is yet another piece of evidence for the idea that anti-vaping forces are much more effective at messaging.
[ See CASAA alert on Philadelphia: CASAA: Call to Action! Philadelphia E-Cigarette Usage Ban and: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...c-cigarettes-existing-indoor-smoking-ban.html ]
---
US: GEORGIA
Title: Georgia bans smoking and tobacco products on state university campuses
(Reuters) http://www.reuters
.com/article/2014/03/19/usa-georgia-smoking-idUSL2N0MG1KJ20140319
Georgia University system board of regents votes to ban all tobacco products (including vaping) from all campuses - both indoors and outdoors.
"'Our aim with this policy is to preserve and improve the health, comfort and environment of employees and any persons occupying (campus) facilities,' said Marion Fedrick, the University System of Georgia's vice chancellor for human resources."
No junk as such in the story, except that it cites the usual statistics about deaths from smoking-related illnesses, reflecting the standard idea that vaping is tobacco smoking.
[ GA's SB 347 and HB 251 are simple minor bans, but with internet age verification requirements. HB 251 bas passed the house. ]
---
US: MICHIGAN
Title: e-cigarette ban for minors?
(UP MI US local paper based in Negaunee) http://www.uppermichiganssource
.com/news/story.aspx?id=1020603#.UyoXoc5obfg
The first part of this story is properly credited to AP - it's the boilerplate report about the decision of the Nat'l ...'n of Convenience and Food Retailers to recommend to its members that minors be prohibited from buying vaping products. It closes by asking its readers to vote in a poll about whether a federal minor sales/possession should be passed. Apparently the writers don't realize that the feds don't generally do this with otherwise-legal products (for ex., there is no federal ban on minor purchases or possession of alchohol, except on federal enclaves: i.e. it doesn't apply to property which isn't administered by the US gov't.)
[ MI appears to have several simple minor sales bans in the works - SB 667/8 and HB 4997 5007. SB 667/8 have passed the Sen. Most significantly, MI is under threat from HB 5393, which would effectively ban vaping sales entirely:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/legislation-news/536975-michigan-legislation.html ]
---
US: OKLAHOMA
Title: Oklahoma leaders should say no to special deals for e-cigarette makers
(OK City OK US local paper) http://newsok
.com/oklahoma-leaders-should-say-no-to-special-deals-for-e-cigarette-makers/article/3944628
Regional ALA CEO writes opinion, but might not deserve a raise this year. She does cite Dutra & Glantz, but for some strange reason forgets to use any number of other junk studies, or smear all vapers with BT's reputation, etc.
"E-cigarette use among kids has doubled in one year. There are more than 250 e-cigarette brands; over half offer fruit or candy flavors, including cotton candy, bubble gum and even Capn Crunch. Developing products that appeal to kids is a classic move by the tobacco industry, which attracts kids so they become lifetime nicotine users. We must protect children from going down this path to addiction and possibly even death. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics, teens who used e-cigarettes were more likely to smoke real cigarettes and less likely to quit than students who didnt use the devices. E-cigarettes are a gateway product to cigarettes for our kids not an alternative."
Apparently "special deals," is a reference to the lack of an additional "sin tax" on vaping.
[ SB 1892 is a mixed bag for proponents of smoke-free alternatives, because it raises the tax on Snus and other smokeless products, but exempts vaping. See: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...g-bills-introduced-oklahoma-hearing-held.html
and: Oklahoma -- OK! - ECF InfoZone OK also has S1602 - is it ready for the sen. floor? Same Q about H3104 (also minor sales ban?) ]
Title: How safe is your E-Cigarette and/or vapor product?
(Tahlequah, OK US Native American Web site) http://nativetimes.com/index
.php/life/health/9698-how-safe-is-your-e-cigarette-and-or-vapor-product
Talequah city council votes March 24 to consider a vaping=smoking clean air act extension.
Amateur hit job piece which is clearly intended to let the reader know that vaping is extremely dangerous.
"'If you are around somebody who is using e-cigarettes, you are breathing an aerosol of exhaled nicotine, ultra-fine particles, volatile organic compounds, and other toxins.' Dr. Stanton Glantz, Director for the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco. At least 10 chemicals identified in e-cigarette aerosol are on Californias Proposition 65 list of carcinogens and reproductive toxins, also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. The compounds that have already been identified in mainstream or secondhand e-cigarette aerosol include: Acetaldehyde (MS), Benzene (SS), Cadmium (MS), Formaldehyde (MS, SS), Isoprene (SS), Nickel (MS), Nicotine (MS, SS), N-Nitrosonornicotine (MS, SS), Toluene (MS, SS)."
As reported in this space on 3/14, Talequah OK tabled a vaping=smoking indoor clean air act extension last fall despite an offer of a $100K grant from OK state MSA funds.
---
US: OREGON
Title: The e-cigarette market is growing like wildfire, leaving health officials in a haze
(Portland OR US alternative free weekly) http://www.wweek
.com/portland/article-22170-blowing_vapor.html
This piece contains essentially no junk, although this is (mostly) what we might expect from a Portland alternative weekly. Article notes that Multnomah Co. is considering a simple minor sales/possession ban (Multnomah co. contains most of the Portland metro area). Amazingly, neither the co. nor Portland has passed a vaping=smoking extension to its indoor clean air act. Ominously a st. rep. says: "Just saying this cant be sold to someone under 18 is not going to be that effective."
[ The OR legislature is no longer in session. Both HB 4073 (a simple minor sales/possession ban) and HB 4073 (vaping=smoking extension to clean indoor air act) died this year, in part because the ANTZ org.s may have overplayed their hand. ]
***
COLLECTION 1: SAN FRANCISCO CA
Unlike the decisions in other major cities, the unanimous vote by the SF Bd. of Supervisors was widely expected, and generated very little coverage in the form of rather brief stories. (Not a single one of them contains the sentence "E-cigarettes are battery-operated devices ... [etc.]") Even the notoriously anti-vaping SacBee couldn't manage to produce a hit job, and settled for reprinting the AP story, although perhaps we'll see another despicable editorial soon.
Title: S.F. supes vote for same smoking laws for e-cigarettes
(Bay Area CA US collection site) http://www.sfgate
.com/bayarea/article/S-F-supes-vote-for-same-smoking-laws-for-5329328.php
Glantz quote about toxins and metals supplies the junk here.
Title: E-cigarettes to become illegal in San Francisco restaurants and bars
(SF CA local paper) http://insidescoopsf.sfgate
.com/blog/2014/03/19/e-cigarettes-to-become-illegal-in-san-francisco-restaurants-and-bars/
No junk
Title: San Francisco Is The Latest City To Restrict E-Cigarettes Under Anti-Smoking Laws
(Nat'l US web site) http://www.huffingtonpost
.com/2014/03/19/e-cigarettes-ban-san-francisco_n_4995546.html
Title: San Francisco approves e-cigarette regulations
(AP) http://www.mercurynews
.com/california/ci_25374654/san-francisco-approves-e-cigarette-regulations
Title: San Francisco approves e-cigarette ban
http://www.staradvertiser
.com/news/breaking/20140319_San_Francisco_approves_ecigarett
Title: SF Votes To Ban Electronic Cigarettes In Some Public Places
http://sacramento.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/19/sf-votes-to-ban-electronic-cigarettes-in-some-public-places/ e_ban.html
Title: San Francisco bans use of electronic cigarettes at bars, restaurants, businesses
http://www.10news
.com/news/san-francisco-bans-use-of-electronic-cigarettes-at-bars-restaurants-businesses-031914
No junk other than Supervisor Eric Mar's comment that the goal is to limit access by children.
***
COLLECTION 2: POISON CONTROL CENTER CALL STORIES FROM MINNESOTA
MN Dept of Health issues press release on poison control center calls due to vaping. The Star-Tribune provides the helpful headline that you see below, and even AP decided to refer to these as "case." Your Correspondent has to wonder whether these press releases occur on some kind of regular schedule, or whether the Health Dep't had noticed that several bills are now pending in the state legislature. Is this "lobbying" of elected officials? Guess not.
Title: E-cig poisoning cases on rise among children
(Twin Cities MN US NBC affiliate) http://www.kare11
.com/story/news/health/2014/03/18/e-cig-poisoning-cases-on-rise-among-children/6591559/
Title: Increase in e-cigarette poisonings concerns anti-smoking advocate
(Duluth MN US local paper) http://www.duluthnewstribune
.com/content/increase-e-cigarette-poisonings-concerns-anti-smoking-advocate
Title: HEALTH ALERT: E-cigarette contents can cause poisoning
(Twin Cities MN US Fox affiliate) http://www.myfoxtwincities
.com/story/25012429/health-alert-e-cigarette-contents-can-cause-poisoning
Title: Poisoning by e-cigarette fluid up sharply among kids, Minn. report says
(Twin Cities MN US local paper) http://www.startribune
.com/lifestyle/health/250820261.html
Title: Poison control center says cases involving e-cigarette juice rise sharply in 2013
(AP via Twin Cities MN US local paper) http://www.startribune
.com/lifestyle/health/250808021.html@
http://minnesota.cbslocal
.com/2014/03/18/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharpl http://www.twincities
.com/news/ci_25366858/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharply
http://www.wdio
.com/article/stories/S3365832.shtml
http://www.winonadailynews
.com/news/state-and-regional/mn/poisonings-from-e-cigarette-liquid-up-sharply/article_0679ff3f-c795-5e1f-a232-4c4118fa460a.html
http://www.therepublic
.com/w/MN--E-Cigarette-Poisoning
***
Google Tips
to see whether there are bad things happening where you live, try this Google search (example for Rhode Island) -
rhode site:casaa.org
(Replace rhode with a single word that describes your city, county, or state. For ex., if you live in Eau Claire, WI - you might use "Claire" to see if something is being proposed at the city level. Don't forget the : (colon), and be sure that there's nothing before or after the colon (not even spaces or tabs.)
You can also try replacing site:casaa.org with e-cigarette to find out what the media is reporting in your area. This is usually most helpful if you use the search tools to search by date. (CASAA doesn't generally issue calls or alerts until a bill is out of a state legislative committee, or is scheduled for a local city or county hearing.)
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