I have just written one of my state senators and intend to write more. I recommend everyone follow suit!
Dear Alberta,
I don't know if you remember me, but I used to be a member of the North Shore Rotary Club with you. You may remember that my late husband had MS?
I'm writing you because of a public health concern I would like to talk to you about. I would welcome a call from you, if possible.
The concern is electronic cigarettes.
You probably have very limited exposure to facts about these devices, as do most legislators. The FDA and several states are attempting to ban these life-saving devices, forcing thousands of smokers (who have successfully switched completely to these safer devices) back to smoking deadly tobacco cigarettes. The legislators of these states appear to be placing the health of their tax revenues over that of the health of their constituents.
My concern is that Wisconsin legislators will follow suit. Please don't let this happen in Wisconsin! If anything, propose a tax on the e-cigarettes, but by all means - don't ban them altogether!
I was a pack-a-day smoker until I switched to e-cigarettes in August. While I still receive a low dose of nicotine, I have now eliminated nearly all of the harmful toxins and high levels of carcinogens that I was inhaling with tobacco cigarettes. My husband, mother, brother, sister-in-law, niece (and her boyfriend) have also successfully switched to e-cigarettes. So have many of my smoking friends. No more smoker's cough, shortness of breath or second-hand smoke - these products are a godsend!
While the FDA released a statement denouncing them last year, they failed to mention that e-cigarettes contain no more carcinogens than nicotine gum or patches. They also did very limited testing on only 2 brands. There are other COMPLETE studies available that directly refute the FDA claims about e-cigarettes. A federal judge has recently ruled that e-cigarettes are a form of a "tobacco product," as they are not for quitting, necessarily, but as a less harmful alternative. The case is in appeals court.
The American Association of Public Health Physicians is endorsing the use of electronic cigarettes as a reduced harm alternative for those who can't or won't quit. They have recently petitioned the FDA to retract their deceiving statements and to reconsider their stance that these are drug devices vs. a safer alternative to tobacco cigarettes.
I am currently on the board of directors for the Consumer Advocates for Smokefree Alternatives Association (CASAA.org), because I believe so strongly in this product as a current and future lifesaver. My survey of over 1,000 e-cigarette users shows that over 90% of users are former smokers, over the age of 26 and report improved health because of the switch. Over 80% say they'd most likely go back to using tobacco (vs. quitting or using NRTs) if e-cigarettes are banned. We don't have time for the FDA to regulate these as drug devices - that will simply result in a defacto ban. As a tobacco alternative, they can remain available and continue to improve the health of current and former smokers, while being studied for safety. After 5 years on the world market, there have been no published reports of illness nor injury due to the proper use of these products.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Kristin Noll-Marsh
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