Who Are The Vapers Film? Help them make Vape Gold

Who Are The Vapers Film? Help them make Vape Gold

Note from VapeSling® / VapersArmy about “Who Are The Vapers Film”

Please, Help non-vapers understand us and our purpose with Vaping by spreading the word about this film.

Help as well, by clicking here to donate for this much needed NON-PROFIT “vaper awareness” film.

Thank you for your support. VSLLC Founder, J.G.

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WhoAreTheVapersFilm

Ethnographic†Short†Documentary†¶†Social†Research†Study

By Tony Ottomanelli II

IMG_6552film and movement

As of recent, there have been numerous small towns as well as larger urban areas all across the U.S.

banning the public use of vaporizing products. On every level, whether at the local, state or national stage,

we have witnessed attempts at enforcing potential regulatory measures for restricting the use of Vaping

products, as if the very act of vaping were identical to a plague. In fact, during a time in April of 2015, I wrote

my first advocacy piece/published article for VAPE Magazine about the Vaporfree

ordinance/Smoking ban

that had been passed by City Council members in the naturally beautiful city of Golden, CO. This has

happened to almost every single neighboring city surrounding Denver, such as: Lakewood, Littleton, Arvada,

Edgewater, Boulder and these suburban cities are only a mere glimpse; the places I just listed have proudly

posted steel signs all over the civilized developed areas warning pedestrians that vaping in public indoors or

outdoors is strictly prohibited.

Taking this into account, I have been strategically planning and creatively pavingtheway

for the production

of a short ethnographic documentary film (approx. 3045min)

using sociological research methodology; an

observational study using academic techniques that can help guide and shape a better understanding for

the general public of how vapers truly feel and who they actually are which

is a group of individuals who

are ordinary people with extraordinary backstories.

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Vaping is undoubtedly one of the most influential phenomenons amongst 21st Century technological devices

with the ability to reduce harmful circumstances in the lives of human beings (from my viewpoint). Vaping

products have greatly influenced the high probability of improving harm reduction approaches for

cigarettesmokers

who are actively seeking for ways to quit. Vapers could be the “poster children” for Public

Health Reform, shining a bright light on the positive effects from social progress.

As members of the Vaping Community, we have a responsibility to take action. A Sociological study

executed through an ethnographic research approach within the process of documentary filmmaking could

be the most beneficial tool for producing accurate results when conducting social research. In the case of an

emotionstimulating

and alternativeeducating

film it can effectively serve as a tool allowing the ordinary

American citizen to hear some very real and extremely compelling stories from actual individual vapers.

These backstories will be told during the social research methods I plan to apply those

consist of indepth

interviewing, immersion, and ethnography.

Essentially, this type of filmmaking approach is indeed a powerful source of communicating information.

Ethnographic Films have proven their powerful influence within some of the most effective and more

prominent sociological research projects.

As a matter of fact, the Social Sciences Research Center at

DePaul University has successfully created an outlet for such academic studies. Out of this, the existence of

The Journal of Video Ethnography is now a peerreviewed

academic journal which publishes the data and

findings from selected ethnographic studies conducted by only exemplary researchers utilizing filmmaking.

All in all, this provides students and educators alike to consult these published studies as references for

reliable information with credibility. I need the Vape community’s support for ensuring this study becomes a

published academic reference, which could further stabilize the validity of Vaping.

It can be easily deduced into the conclusion that when reality is communicated through actualization via the

process of filmviewing,

another’s opinion may have been rattled, shook, and forever changed. It is the

quality of information being communicated along with the visually stimulating effects from absorbing a film’s

content on screen that makes up how exactly our minds process what we’re seeing and hearing,

respectively, if the film is so real that it is causing us to make sense of everything we’re learning, then it is

clear to see how effective documentaries are on the human psyche. Furthermore, it is most likely the

emotional response felt after viewing a film that can shake people out of apathy and then fill that void with

empathy.

It is my theory and belief that once the majority of American citizens, along with the other populations around

the world, can gain empathy towards those who are referred to as Vapers, simply from watching a collection

of individually recorded interviews discussing how exceptionally lifechanging

the act of Vaping can be for

other human lives, it is at that time that we will begin to see more acceptance from society.

Most Vapers I meet throughout my research are, more often than not, former tobaccocigaretteabusers.

In

fact, I have yet to meet a vaper who was not a former cigarette smoker. Yet, switching to a Vaping lifestyle

has deeply influenced their positive transformations into an exsmoker

previously plagued by the health

complications brought on by inhaling combustible tobacco. Clearly, the health complications caused by

smoking tobacco products are debilitating to a person’s overall wellbeing

As soon as skeptics realize Vapers are normal everyday American citizens with emotionallycharged

backstories, then skeptics feel a connection, compelling them to consequently help with rerouting the social

dialogue on Vaping towards a much safer pathway through the unpredictably dangerous crashcourse

of

popular opinion.

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Since I have experience with the completion of graduatelevel

courses in screenwriting, filmmaking,

education, ethnography, research methods and Sociology, it is my intention to use all these areas of study

as tools for researching the Vaping community by utilizing filmmaking during an observational study.

The individuals who make up the Vaping Community are so passionate, personable, curious, sociable,

helpful, knowledgeable and have garnered such a strong sense of unity, in which all of these valuable

qualities can become highly contagious. As I transitioned from tobaccocigarette

smoking into Vaporized

nicotinedelivery,

I slowly but surely became extremely passionate, due in large part to the fact that so many

other vapers I frequently encounter and interact with are indeed full of passion and more than willing to

assist me if Im experiencing any fm type of Vaping issue

Thus, I believe the passion for Vaping is so contagious that we, as the Vaping community, can allow our

passion to expand across the land and spread amongst the people. Furthermore, the people we need to

convince about the beneficial nature surrounding the act of Vaping are all the nonVapers.

Not necessarily

antivapers,

yet it is surely viable to suggest that nonvapers

could easily become much more understanding

of this new cultural phenomenon if Vapers had a chance to reach them with information that is filtered

through actualization.

Ultimately, due to my educational background, I’m approaching this project from an academic angle using

ethnography as our strategy of inquiry. Overall, my Master’s Degree in Sociology has allowed me to

transform this film into a social research project. Since this will technically be considered a qualitative study,

the fieldwork I want to conduct consists of facetoface

InDepth

Interviews with Vapers (from all walks of

life) inquiring about how and why they choose to Vape. Not to mention, capturing the social interactions and

general expressions Vapers have while filming them in a natural social setting (like a Vaping lounge or shop)

will serve as further evidence to all the greatness and potential Vaping can generate.

The goal is to inform and educate the average American citizen, making factual information easier for the

general public to access and assess in order to help develop unbiased viewpoints and a more accurate

comprehension since they may not truly understand what vaping is and what it eventually can grow to be.

Considering this, whenever nonVapers

inquire to me what it is I write about or which magazines publish my

work, when I reply by informing them that I write for two of the most influential and groundbreaking Vaping

magazines, their response back to me is s full, blank stare then

immediately admitting they have no idea

what the word “Vaping” means, symbolizes or represents. Only through the efforts of advocating the Vape

logic we know to be truthful, can situations like the one I continually experience cease to exist. Basically, we

need people who are not affiliated with Vaping in any way to become familiar with Vaping in every way. This

is a Health issue all must be made aware of.

It is vital to remember that this will be a project presented as an observational study strategized by

ethnographic techniques in hopes of capturing a truthful account of how the Vaping community members

express themselves in social settings. Adding a cherry on top of this equation is by conducting interviews

with participants sharing the personal journey they took to quit the single most preventative cause of death,

choosing a heap of Vape as their leap of faith. When measuring the statistics in qualitative research via

filmmaking, it can easily be done by allowing the visual evidence to represent observational data, creating

the opportunity for interpreting comprehensive results of pure validity.

Essentially filmed footage will be produced by following ethical guidelines for researchers and standard

methodological techniques of the social sciences. The interviews with individual Vapers will take place

primarily inside independent Vape shops or isolated environments where it will be a more natural discussion

rather than a relentless Q&A session.

CONCLUSION

All in all, I genuinely hope to see you support this film and this project’s overall “cause” in any way you see

fit: either by telling others all about it; follow “@WhoAreTheVapersFilm” on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,

or Twitter; track the film’s progress through GoFundMe.com; perhaps entertain the idea of sponsoring us;

share the story behind your own Vaping lifestyle on film; point any persons of interest in our direction; try to

donate whatever you can spare for the production costs; ask us any question that you’re curious about;

contact us anytime via phone, email, or social media.

Basically, anything you may be able to do for this project will increase the chances that we, the Vape

Movement, could influence at least one person’s viewpoint about Vaping in a positive way (which can lead to

more education & acceptance via word of mouth) and eventually help Vapers’ in the longhaul,

thus

guaranteeing progressive societal change all while blazing trails towards a more efficient and continual

advanced feature of enhancement for Public Health and ensuring that all citizens of the world have a chance

at living a better quality of life.

In closing, I hope you decide to truly believe in this project b/c it will be the first of its kind in regards to

conducting experimentation with Vapes through ethnographic socially scientific research, a study that will

have great promise to become a published report in academic journals for higher education. Not to mention,

the filmmaking aspect will prove to be the most effective research tool as I guarantee a steady response in

online traffic as well as any other forms of fueling high distribution numbers. The point is, when people come

together, form a collective consensus, and approach these opportunities as a team, then who knows what

the future holds? Anything is possible and at the most, It is very promising.

Thank you for reading my lengthy synopsis. Most theorized notions emphasized in qualitative research

studies become a challenge to convince those who may oppose the topic of interest, so it is crucial to apply

basic logic, critical reasoning and moral judgment throughout the process of legitimizing the theoretical

framework that is being tested. Even if all these qualities seem to take a long duration of time to formulate a

viable explanation. So, the details are extremely relevant because small things make big things happen.

Best Regards,

Tony Ottomanelli II

@WhoAreTheVapersFilm

[email protected]

(419) 3048240

www.whoarethevapers.com (indevelopment)

IMG_7009IMG_8505IMG_8226

OTHER

MISSION STATEMENT

To expose the emotionallycharged,

riveting backstories of individual former smokers now turned fulltime

Vapers in hope of

influencing public opinion, shining a brighter light on the act of Vaping as a harm reduction approach for improving Public

Health Reform. Simultaneously creating a sense of empathy among skeptics for the vaping community, thus stirring up a

surge of more overall social acceptance and uncontested approval due to the overwhelming support received by the general

public who will have their doubts undone.

TAGLINE OPTION : Sociology, Research, Filmmaking & Vaping are all interchangeable concepts of Education, Actualization,

Expression, & Artistry.

RESOURCES :

If you have any desire for looking into the first article I wrote on the outdoor Vaping ban in Golden, CO, check it out here at

VAPEMagazine’s site. CLICK LINK:

http://vapenewsmagazine.com/april2015/

thenotsogreatvapeescapesociologicallyreflectingontheantivapingmove

ment

Additionally, I will be posting all of the articles I’ve had published in VAPEmz & Vapouround Magazine that discuss

“WhoAreTheVapers?” as a short ethnographic documentary film project.

Yet, please feel free to examine www.vapouround.co.uk and find my articles about the “Sociology of Vaping” in the table of

contents. Both of these magazines are masters of their craft and the leading Vaperelated

publications in the entire industry.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn!

Visit our GoFundMe Campaign: www.gofundme.com/WhoAreTheVapers

https://www.gofundme.com/WhoAreTheVapers

 

Vape Call To Action APR2016

Vape Call To Action MAR2016

Posted 5/2/16
Mon May 02 2016 at 10:47 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
SB 7737 would raise the minimum legal purchase age for tobacco and vapor products from 18 to 21…
Posted 4/27/16
Posted 4/26/16
Tue Apr 26 2016 at 1:18 pm PDT
Albany County, NY Update – 04.26.16 Local Law “C” for 2016, which would prohibit the sale of…
Posted 4/25/16
Mon Apr 25 2016 at 12:10 pm PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
S.2234 would make multiple changes to Massachusetts law that would dramatically impact adult access…
Posted 4/22/16
Fri Apr 22 2016 at 8:38 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 04.22.16 After an unusual 43 days, SBX2-5 has finally made it to Governor Brown’s desk….
Posted 4/21/16
Tue Apr 19 2016 at 1:57 pm PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 04.19.16 This afternoon, the House Appropriations Committee voted 31(Y) / 19(N) to…
Posted 4/17/16
Mon Apr 18 2016 at 9:01 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Similar to last year, adding a provision in this year’s budget bill could save the U.S. vapor…
Posted 4/14/16
Wed Apr 13 2016 at 6:57 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
SB 3011, which would raise the minimum purchase age for ALL tobacco and vapor products from 18 to…
Mon Apr 11 2016 at 12:02 pm PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 04.10.16 S 2293 is the senate companion bill to H 7664. Both bills would prohibit…
Posted 4/10/16
Sat Apr 09 2016 at 7:47 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Senate Amendment 3547, which would prohibit airline passengers from bringing “electronic smoking…
Posted 4/7/16
Posted 4/1/16
Fri Apr 01 2016 at 8:58 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 04.01.16 On Wednesday, March 27th, the House passed H.879. The bill now moves on to the…
Posted 3/27/16
Sun Mar 27 2016 at 6:43 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.25.16 What was, just a few days ago, an amendment to a larger tax bill, has now…
Posted 3/23/16
Wed Mar 23 2016 at 10:36 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Public comment on HB 328 (the companion to SB 1), which would prohibit vaping in the same places…
Posted 3/22/16
Tue Mar 22 2016 at 11:29 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
An amendment that would subject vapor products to Vermont’s 92% wholesale tax on Other Tobacco…
Posted 3/17/16
Thu Mar 17 2016 at 11:24 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.17.16 URGENT ACTION NEEDED! TODAY at 3:30 PM The House Taxation Committee will be…
Posted 3/14/16
Sun Mar 13 2016 at 2:59 pm PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.12.16 Three bills that affect your access to vapor products are scheduled to be…
Posted 3/13/16
Sat Mar 12 2016 at 10:26 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
H 7664 which would prohibit vaping in all enclosed public places in Rhode Island — with no…
Posted 3/11/16
Fri Mar 11 2016 at 7:29 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.11.16 On Thursday, 03.10.16, the California Senate passed the entire package of…
Posted 3/9/16
Change.org Petition started by @dave.seeker.of.clouds Sign to “Urge Gov Jerry Brown to not let is go down”. California and everyone else, Veto SBX2-5= Tobacco 21, taxes, and banned sales of vapor products online. 65% of online Vapor sales come from California. Sign today!
Wed Mar 09 2016 at 6:01 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
SB 2284, which would subject e-cigarettes to the state’s 80% tax on other tobacco products, has…
Posted 3/7/16
Mon Mar 07 2016 at 9:08 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.07.16 H.171 is still on the move in the House and is scheduled for hearings in…
Posted 3/5/16
Sat Mar 05 2016 at 11:06 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.05.16 It might be a Saturday, but SBX2-5 will still be traveling to the senate on…
Posted 3/2/16
Wed Mar 02 2016 at 10:58 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.02.16 SB 420 has advanced to the West Virginia House and is likely to have a hearing…
Wed Mar 02 2016 at 8:09 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.02.16 HB 333, which would enact an 86% wholesale tax on vapor products, has been…
Posted 2/26/16
Sat Feb 27 2016 at 9:53 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.27.16 HB 157 will be heard again in committee on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016. However,…
Posted 2/24/16
Wed Feb 24 2016 at 8:21 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.24.15 SB 2961 advanced from the CPH committee with a recommendation that the tax…
Wed Feb 24 2016 at 9:56 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 157, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Tue Feb 23 2016 at 9:13 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.23.16 H.171 (an indoor vaping ban) has been scheduled for another public hearing…
Posted 2/23/16
Tue Feb 23 2016 at 8:19 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
A bill — HB 861 — has been introduced in Maryland that would tax vapor product devices the same…
Posted 2/22/16
Mon Feb 22 2016 at 5:47 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.22.16 HB 304, which would enact a 100% excise tax on vapor products, has been…
Sun Feb 21 2016 at 11:02 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Two tax bills — HB 302 and HB 333 — have been introduced in Utah which would, among other things,…
Sat Feb 20 2016 at 6:25 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.20.16 Delegate Larry W. Faircloth (WV-60) has posted a petition on his website to…
Fri Feb 19 2016 at 4:43 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 2320, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Posted 2/19/16
Fri Feb 19 2016 at 4:43 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 2320, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Thu Feb 18 2016 at 10:36 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Kansas lawmakers need to hear from you! The 20¢ per milliliter tax on e-liquid that was wedged…
Wed Feb 17 2016 at 3:15 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.17.16 HB 304 has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce…
Posted 2/17/16
Wed Feb 17 2016 at 10:05 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.17.16 SB 420 is expected to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee starting at 3:00…
 Posted 2/16/16
Tue Feb 16 2016 at 7:58 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.16.16 On Friday, February 19th, 2016, 8:00 AM, Room 10, the Coalition for a Tobacco…

Big “Med” Mistake Sale!!!

Big “Med” Mistake Sale!!!

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Our Shirt Printer made printed Medium when we asked for Large.

For this Medium mistake they provided a big 25% discount!!!

We pass this discount on to you for all Medium sized Advocate Vapers.

A $5 donation will be donated on your behalf to the Advocate Warriors @ NVC.

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5$ donation to NVC (National Vapers Club) on your behalf.

NVC works with CASAA, SFATA, NotBlowingSmoke, and many others.

Proudly wear the Advocate tee, knowing you donated to a great cause for our vaping community..

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Vape news: ABillionLives Film Update

Vape news: ABillionLives Film Update

Moving Forward
Our first date.
June 16thOn that day, A Billion Lives will play at the Palace of Culture during the Global Forum on Nicotine. Click here to see their announcement

Other exciting announcements & dates are pending. June 16th will not be the first time the film is shown.
Palace of Culture in Warsaw Poland

A Billion Lives on The Morning Blend

Molly Fay, a television journalist and host of The Morning Blend had me on her show today to talk about social media.

We ended up talking about A Billion Lives.

Later on, she posted this. I get worried when mainstream media leaders stick their necks out to help us. All too often, corrupt or brainwashed people come out to beat them up.

If we want more mainstream journalists to take our movement seriously, we need to support them.

Can you “Love” her post, comment with general support for the topic (keep it focused on helping smokers), and share it?

They might have us on the program later to focus on the film, so I want to show how supportive we can be.

Click here to see what she said
Film Festivals
We need your help.
We’re reaching out to the following film festivals all over the world to see if there is interest in premiering the film in their city/country.

They are going through thousands of films and are very busy, so I would encourage you to contact them.

Let them hear how important this topic is.

April
Tribeca Film Festival – New York, NY
Hot Docs Film Festival – Toronto, Canada
France in May
Cannes
UK in June
Edinburgh International Film Festival
Sheffield Doc/Fest

If you’d like to see A Billion Lives at other film festivals, please have them contact us.

That’s all for now. Please support Molly and other intelligent journalists and we’ll have more big news soon.

Thanks!

– Aaron Biebert & the team
 Like us on Facebook   Follow us on Twitter   View our videos on YouTube   View on Instagram

Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.

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Vegas VapeFest: Vape Advocacy notes

Vegas VapeFest: Vape Advocacy Notes

by J.G. Founder of VapeSling LLCVapeSling

English: Vector image of the Las Vegas sign. P...
English: Vector image of the Las Vegas sign. Português: Imagems vectorial da placa de Las Vegas. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

On Feb 26th and 27th 2016, Vegas VapeFest was held once more. This year the National Vapers Club (NVC), organizers of VapeFest and Vape Activist events/meetings, decided to take the Vape Advocacy Seminar to the public! Previously, the valuable seminars were scheduled to be held in private rooms. The new public format was a welcome sight.

VaperArmy CheifsOfDefense
CASAA Alex Clark; SFATA Cynthia Cabrera; CASAA Julie Woessner; J.G VSLLC
VapeWarrior_Stefan
Stefan Didak, Founder NotBlowingSmoke.org; J.G VSLLC
VapeSlingBooth
VapeSlingBooth

Yes, there were minor distractions on the show floor, however, the majority of the Vape Guests and Vendors attended the gathering held in the middle of the show floor. The Panel was filled with Vape Advocate celebrities: Julie Woessner (CASAA President), Cynthia Cabrera (SFATA President), Stefan Didak (Founder of NotBlowingSmoke), Cheryl Richter (NVC President), and Alex Clark (CASAA CTA publisher). This elite panel shared many points for our #2016VapeFight.

The following are my notes:

Julie Woessner (CASAA President), Alex Clark (CASAA CTA publisher) CASAA:

  1. Calls to Action (CTA): All vapers must react to every single CTA published for their region.
  2. Subscribe to CASAA. There are only 100k of subscribers. There should be 9 million. Sign up for the quarterly emails as well.
  3. Vape responsibly: Clouds are great! However, when in a public area of non-vapers or smokers, keep your cloud down. Use low volume devices or as Grimm Green once demonstrated, blow the vape into your shirt. The clouds are causing some form of hatred towards vapers, so please keep the clouds rollin, but not in others faces.
  4. Don’t support any business that does not Advocate for Vaping.
  5. Don’t support any business that irresponsibly makes Child friendly products. However not intended for children, the product still hurts our vaping community and fight. We are under microscopes these days. These cereal and child favorite labeling is Ammo for the opposing parental view.
  6. Educate vapers, however, more importantly, educate the non-vapers. Engage non-vapers to hear your story and correct any misinformation they may have stored. The people, not just government, can be informed and persuaded to help save billions of lives.
  7. Print CASAA flyers and take to your Vape Shops. Activate and Advocate.

Cynthia Cabrera (SFATA President) SFATA:

  1. The FDA deeming regulations are inevitable. They will be enforced sometime this year. It’s just a matter of when. Vape Businesses need to engage with SFATA for every CTA needed from them. Join SFATA now if you are a Vape Business. Unfortunately, time is running out, however still more action to be done. Every vape business will be required to win.
  2. Child friendly labels are hurting our Vape business. This irresponsible behavior must cease to gain notoriety with the public. As of now the public has waned towards opposition due to our many flavors. Now this is the icing on the Kid Cake for the opposition. Vape Businesses, please wake up and label responsibly.
  3. OMB meetings and Washington D.C.: If you are a e-liquid maker and you haven’t flown to Washington D.C. for a meeting, you are due. These meetings, however inconvenient, are the main fight businesses have. Take advantage while you still can be heard. Organize with SFATA for an OMB/OIRA meeting.
  4. Get in Front of your Reps: If you haven’t met your Senators or Representatives, fly to D.C. to do it ASAP. If you absolutely cant do this, call and write as much as possible.
  5. Vape Shops: You are at the public end. You are extremely important to our vaping community. You can educate the public best out of all businesses. Local Neighborhood: Everything you do is being watched closely by opposers and vape advocates the same. Set example for the rest and be the best. Print and post flyers for CASAA, SFATA, NotBlowingSmoke etc.
  6. Vape Shops: Battery Safety: If you don’t have liability insurance, get it immediately. Also, provide a “Battery Safety” sign off card for your protection of frivolous law suits. The signed document will help prove your concern for the customer’s safety.

 

Stefan Didak (Founder of NotBlowingSmoke) NotBlowingSmoke:

  1. Common Sense: — USE IT!!! Vape responsibly and Advocate. Educate everyone.
  2. Post and repost on social media. Social Media reaches many.
  3. Donate to the “Go Fund” me at https://www.gofundme.com/notblowingsmoke
  4. Join No Casualties Campaign.
  5. Print NBS Flyers for your vapeshops and other vape gatherings, such as cloud comps.
  6. Go to D.C. if possible. Speak to your Rep or Senator face to face. Call and write your story.
  7. Support all your local vape businesses that Advocate.
  8. Conserve your clouds. Clouds in non-vaping public is tainting our image more than ever. Refrain from intimidating behavior towards non-vapers and smokers.
  9. Wake, Vape, Advocate, every day. Always have a thought saved everyday for advocacy. This year we need all the help we can get. You may come up with a brilliant solution to our Vaping woes.

Cheryl Richter (NVC President) National Vapers Club (NVC):

  1. A study will be conducted by NVC from donated funds (VSLLC and many vape businesses). The study will be to determine once and for all, if 2nd hand vapor is harmful or lingers. The study will involve an apartment building. Rooms in the building will be exposed to vapor. The vapor will be measured in intervals for dissipation and density. A very valuable test. We are all sure the scientific facts will prove in favor of vaping. Misinformation needs to be crushed immediately with scientific facts. This will be one of them.
  2. NVC will continue to organize informational advocacy and vape activism throughout the year. They always involve SFATA, CASAA, etc. for more effect.
  3. Support VapeFest wherever they show up. Attend the advocate seminars provided. Stay informed and respond to all calls to action.
  4. Cheryl and NVC joined CASAA and SFATA on their OMB meeting visit to D.C.

 

My Summary:

Vaping is in serious danger. All vapers and their non-vaping friends need to get involved…NOW!!!

Keep the clouds within friends and not out in public.

Support your Vape Community by patronage to Vape Advocate Business only. Forget the rest till they past the test.

Misinformation needs to be crushed with scientific facts:

Fact #1: Smoking TAR is proven to Kill 400k a year. Vaping has no casualties, for any year!!! (Drops the mic and walks off)

The notes taken and published here are solely of VapeSling founder J.G. As with any human, his text may have an error or 2. In context, the text is his written recollection of what was said at the seminar.

Vape Call To Action MAR2016

Vape Call To Action MAR2016

Posted 4/1/16
Fri Apr 01 2016 at 8:58 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 04.01.16 On Wednesday, March 27th, the House passed H.879. The bill now moves on to the…
Posted 3/27/16
Sun Mar 27 2016 at 6:43 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.25.16 What was, just a few days ago, an amendment to a larger tax bill, has now…
Posted 3/23/16
Wed Mar 23 2016 at 10:36 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Public comment on HB 328 (the companion to SB 1), which would prohibit vaping in the same places…
Posted 3/22/16
Tue Mar 22 2016 at 11:29 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
An amendment that would subject vapor products to Vermont’s 92% wholesale tax on Other Tobacco…
Posted 3/17/16
Thu Mar 17 2016 at 11:24 am PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.17.16 URGENT ACTION NEEDED! TODAY at 3:30 PM The House Taxation Committee will be…
Posted 3/14/16
Sun Mar 13 2016 at 2:59 pm PDT [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.12.16 Three bills that affect your access to vapor products are scheduled to be…
Posted 3/13/16
Sat Mar 12 2016 at 10:26 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
H 7664 which would prohibit vaping in all enclosed public places in Rhode Island — with no…
Posted 3/11/16
Fri Mar 11 2016 at 7:29 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.11.16 On Thursday, 03.10.16, the California Senate passed the entire package of…
Posted 3/9/16
Change.org Petition started by @dave.seeker.of.clouds Sign to “Urge Gov Jerry Brown to not let is go down”. California and everyone else, Veto SBX2-5= Tobacco 21, taxes, and banned sales of vapor products online. 65% of online Vapor sales come from California. Sign today!
Wed Mar 09 2016 at 6:01 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
SB 2284, which would subject e-cigarettes to the state’s 80% tax on other tobacco products, has…
Posted 3/7/16
Mon Mar 07 2016 at 9:08 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.07.16 H.171 is still on the move in the House and is scheduled for hearings in…
Posted 3/5/16
Sat Mar 05 2016 at 11:06 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.05.16 It might be a Saturday, but SBX2-5 will still be traveling to the senate on…
Posted 3/2/16
Wed Mar 02 2016 at 10:58 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.02.16 SB 420 has advanced to the West Virginia House and is likely to have a hearing…
Wed Mar 02 2016 at 8:09 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 03.02.16 HB 333, which would enact an 86% wholesale tax on vapor products, has been…
Posted 2/26/16
Sat Feb 27 2016 at 9:53 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.27.16 HB 157 will be heard again in committee on Tuesday, March 1st, 2016. However,…
Posted 2/24/16
Wed Feb 24 2016 at 8:21 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.24.15 SB 2961 advanced from the CPH committee with a recommendation that the tax…
Wed Feb 24 2016 at 9:56 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 157, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Tue Feb 23 2016 at 9:13 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.23.16 H.171 (an indoor vaping ban) has been scheduled for another public hearing…
Posted 2/23/16
Tue Feb 23 2016 at 8:19 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
A bill — HB 861 — has been introduced in Maryland that would tax vapor product devices the same…
Posted 2/22/16
Mon Feb 22 2016 at 5:47 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.22.16 HB 304, which would enact a 100% excise tax on vapor products, has been…
Sun Feb 21 2016 at 11:02 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Two tax bills — HB 302 and HB 333 — have been introduced in Utah which would, among other things,…
Sat Feb 20 2016 at 6:25 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.20.16 Delegate Larry W. Faircloth (WV-60) has posted a petition on his website to…
Fri Feb 19 2016 at 4:43 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 2320, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Posted 2/19/16
Fri Feb 19 2016 at 4:43 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 2320, which would raise the minimum purchase age for all tobacco products and vapor products to…
Thu Feb 18 2016 at 10:36 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Kansas lawmakers need to hear from you! The 20¢ per milliliter tax on e-liquid that was wedged…
Wed Feb 17 2016 at 3:15 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.17.16 HB 304 has been scheduled for a hearing in the House Labor and Commerce…
Posted 2/17/16
Wed Feb 17 2016 at 10:05 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.17.16 SB 420 is expected to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee starting at 3:00…
 Posted 2/16/16
Tue Feb 16 2016 at 7:58 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.16.16 On Friday, February 19th, 2016, 8:00 AM, Room 10, the Coalition for a Tobacco…
Posted 2/15/16
Sun Feb 14 2016 at 8:02 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Alaska Governor Bill Walker’s budget proposal would destroy the vapor industry in Alaska by…
Posted 2/12/16
Thu Feb 11 2016 at 4:04 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.11.16 After the second hearing on Wednesday, February 10th, there is still,…
Posted 2/10/16
Wed Feb 10 2016 at 5:22 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
A bill — HB 907 — has been introduced which would impose devastating licensing and manufacturing…
Posted 2/9/16
Tue Feb 09 2016 at 1:44 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Chicago, IL If you live in, work, or visit the city of Chicago, you may have noticed billboards…
Tue Feb 09 2016 at 6:00 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.09.16 H. 171, which would include vaping in Vermont’s workplace smoking prohibition,…
Posted 2/8/16
Mon Feb 08 2016 at 4:00 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
A bill — S 298 — which would ban the sale of vapor products in flavors other than tobacco, clove,…
Posted 2/7/16
Fri Feb 05 2016 at 8:06 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Update – 02.05.16 HB 4062 is moving to a work session today: Friday, February 5th, 2016 1:30…
Posted 2/4/16
Wed Feb 03 2016 at 1:37 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
SB 2961 would enact a yet-to-be-determined excise tax on e-cigarette cartridges and a…
Posted 2/2/16
Sat Jan 30 2016 at 8:16 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
H. 171 would include vaping in Vermont’s workplace smoking prohibition. Neither the existing law…
Posted 1/29/16
Fri Jan 29 2016 at 8:07 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
HB 4062 would enact a 50% tax on the retail price of vapor products, including liquids and…
Posted 1/20/16
Wed Jan 20 2016 at 5:28 am PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
01.20.16 As predicted, HB 1143, which would prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes and vapor…

Posted 1/18/16

Thu Jan 14 2016 at 5:47 pm PST [email protected] (Alex Clark)
Original Post – (updated) 10.18.15 The FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2015 (HR…

VapeSling at 2016 Vegas Vapefest

English: Vector image of the Las Vegas sign. P...
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

VapeSling at 2016 Vegas Vapefest

VapeSling

 

Join VapeSling LLC for a weekend of Vaping fun.

VapeSling LLC will be @ the best Vape Advocate/Vape show put on by National Vapers Club. We can’t wait to meet all the IG #vapefam there. Feb 26th – 27 ?VSLLC @vegasvapefest ?Visit Vegas and come see us while you’re there.

Craps
Craps (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We will have the only free, lucky, Craps table in all of Vegas. Win a sling on snake eyes. See all our slings and try them on. “Show only Limited editions” will be offered. Hats and shirts as well. Thank you for your support of VSLLC for our 1st year. Last year, Vapefest was our very 1st show. We had an unexpected blast!!! This year should be as good if not better. Great advocates, great people!

Vegas VapeFest2016
Vegas VapeFest2016

Vegas Vapefest 2016 will be held once again at the fabulous Flamingo Hotel – in the heart of the Vegas strip.

Hotel Flamingo
Hotel Flamingo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Whether you have been to a large expo or just a small town meet, Vapefest is for you! Try something new and have fun in the sun! Come join us for a fun-filled event!

Vapefest is the LONGEST running vape meet in the country. We areNOT an expo! We are a community oriented vape meet focused on having fun, meeting new vapers, helping smokers make the switch and learning about “What’s New” in the industry. Vapefest is a one-of-a-kind event that is enjoyed by thousands of vapers every year. We understand you have a choice when it comes to events and we hope you will make Vapefest your destination vape event!

 

Vote VapeSling LLC Small Business Champ

Vote for VapeSling LLC as Small Business Champ

Vote VSLLC as American Small Business Champ
Vote VSLLC as American Small Business Champ

Click here to vote for VapeSling LLC if you believe in our product and our efforts for the Community

SCORE’s Championship celebrates U.S. small businesses, and is made possible thanks to funding from Sam’s Club and The SCORE Foundation.

One Grand Champion will win $25,000 – money you can put to great use for building your business. $1,000 Sam’s Club gift cards will also be awarded to two businesses from each state and the District of Columbia. Champions will be invited to a regional Training and Networking Event in Phoenix, Chicago, or Washington DC. in late March 2016. Of course, SCORE also will pair you with a business mentor to support you throughout this journey – and for the life of your business.

If you’ve already been a SCORE client, your business may be eligible to win one of eleven SCORE Awards and be invited to the SCORE Awards Gala on September 15, 2016, in Washington, D.C. All entrants get major national publicity.

To enter, answer the question, “What dream would you be able to achieve if you were to win this Championship?” through a video of 30-60 seconds, or with a photo and written response of no more than 1,500 characters. You will need at least 100 votes to be eligible. Beyond determining eligibility, public support (meaning votes) only comprises 15% of the final score. The remaining 85% is determined by our panel of judges based on the compelling nature of the entry (50%), creativity/originality (25%) and clarity/adherence to theme (10%). Entry period is January 14, 2016, through 5:00 pm EST on February 12, 2016.

The 102 National Champions will be announced on March 11, 2016. The Grand Champion will be selected from the National Champions by a panel of small business experts in July 2016. In part, judges will review how well the business has taken advantage of the $1,000 Sam’s Club gift card and SCORE training at the regional Training and Networking Event to achieve a business dream. The Grand Champion will be announced at the Gala on September 15, 2016.

Save Vaping: How You Can Help

Save Vaping: How You Can Help

Members often tell us they don’t have a lot of time or money, but they want to help. The main thing CASAA needs is members getting our information out to the public and recruiting new members. Below is a list of things that only cost you a little time and effort. CASAA needs members to do these things more than ever. Without your involvement, CASAA cannot succeed!

Join CASAA
If you haven’t yet, make sure you’ve joined CASAA by using the form at Become A Member. It’s quick and it’s free!

By signing up, you add your contact information to CASAA’s contact database. This allows us to email you with information on legislation and ordinance alerts for your state and municipality. We also send you occasional newsletters. You will not receive advertisements, donation requests or any other kind of spam. The system CASAA uses is a trusted and secure system. You may unsubcribe from CASAA emails at any time.

Write Down and Save Your Story

CASAA frequently posts Calls to Action and links to articles, asking you to share your story with lawmakers and the media. Be prepared by taking some time to write down important facts, such as:

  • How you discovered electronic cigarettes or other smoke-free alternatives
  • What methods you have used previously to try to quit smoking and how they worked for you
  • How the product helped you quit smoking
  • How it has affected your health
  • What features of the product are important to helping you quit (ie. flavors, nicotine strengths, types of devices)
  • How use bans and sales restrictions would affect your ability to stay quit

Submit Your Testimonial

Now that you have your story written down, please submit it to CASAA’s E-cigarette User Testimonials Collection.

Join The Conversation

It’s important to learn and stay informed! CASAA has members discussing the issues on social media and on forums. Join us on Facebook, the We are CASAA Facebook group, Twitter, the CASAA Forum on E-Cigarette-Forum.com, Skype, Instagram and Google+. The links are on the bottom of our website home page.

Answer Calls To Action And Local Alerts

Calls to Action are issued for state and federal-level legislation, while Local Alerts are occasionally issued for ordinances in major cities and heavily populated counties. If are a registered CASAA member, you will get an email notifying you of an opportunity to take action in your city or state when the time is right..  CASAA writes and posts Calls to Action on our blog and then syndicates links out to Facebook, our RSS feed, Twitter, Instagram, and G-plus.

The post includes a brief summary of how the bill would impact consumers, any information regarding upcoming hearings, as well as a link to the bill.  State and Federal Calls to Action include a link to a pre-written, editable email letter that will be sent to your elected officials.  When the information is available, we will also include members of the committee that is scheduled to hear the bill.  Using our system typically takes less than a few minutes.

Calls to Action are the cornerstone of CASAA activism. Residents contacting their lawmakers (especially by phone and in person) and showing up to tell their story at hearings is by far the most effective, grassroots way of combating harmful legislation. You cannot count on “someone else” going instead. The more people that show up to oppose a bill or ordinance, even if they do not all speak, the better the chances of blocking a bad law. Nothing makes politicians take pause more than seeing a lot of opposition to a proposed law from their constituents. While it doesn’t always work, it has a far better chance of succeeding than doing nothing at all. You can be sure that organizations supporting a bill will be there in force to convince lawmakers it should become law. Hearing your stories on how the law would negatively impact you and your family carries a lot of emotional weight – don’t underestimate that power!

It is equally important to show your support for the “good” laws such as simple bans on sales to minors and laws clearly designed to protect consumers. Send “thank you” notes to lawmakers who voted against bad laws!

Watch For Proposed State Laws And Report Them To CASAA

If you see a news story about a proposed tax or law regarding tobacco, e-cigarettes, or even smoking (e-cigarette regulations are often hidden in smoking bans), please visit our Calls to Action page to see if we’ve issued something.  If not, take a moment to find all of the information we need and report it to CASAA using the Request Call to Action form. For a local, county or city proposed law or ordinance, please also contact the Vaping Militia.

It is very important that ALL of the requested information is filled out on the form. We rely heavily on members finding all of the information we need so we can quickly post it and get it out to the membership and social media. Here is the information we need (also see the request form):

  • Your contact information
  • The state that would be affected by the law (Please remember that CASAA only responds to Federal or state-level legislation, and some major metropolitam cities.)
  • The bill number (which is usually something like SB 440 or AB 762)
  • A link to the actual bill language and bill tracking on the state’s website
  • A detailed description of what the bill would do, such as an indoor/outdoor use ban , locensing requirements or a tax increase (with the amount)
  • The name, email address and phone number of bill sponsor
  • A list of each person on the committee, council or legislative body considering the bill. You can usually find this information on the government website for the state or municipality. Collect the names, email addresses and direct phone number for each person and type or copy/paste them into the form
  • After collecting the contact information, copy the email address for each representative and paste them into the form, separated by a comma. This creates a “comma delimited email list” that members can copy and paste into their email for a bulk emailing

It may be helpful to look at previous CASAA Calls to Action, to see how they were done and the information we need from you: CASAA Calls to Action

Share Calls To Action, Local Alerts And Press Releases

When CASAA posts important information to Facebook, don’t just “like” the posts. Be sure to “share” them on your personal timeline and with other like-minded groups!

For press releases, don’t stop with sharing them with friends – share them with your local news outlets on their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts! Take a little time to collect and save the email addresses, Twitter accounts and Facebook links for your local newspaper editors and television news station “story idea” directors. CASAA press releases will be mailed to you via our contact database, forward that email to the newspapers and news stations on your list.

Don’t forget to share CASAA information with bloggers, internet radio and video vape show hosts, too! CASAA has multiple RSS feeds to subscribe to here.

Join Enthusiast Groups And Tell Them About CASAA

Enthusiast groups are popping up everywhere, especially with e-cigarette consumers. Many still do not know what is happening regarding legislation or they don’t know what they can do about it. Join both online and local groups and let them know about CASAA!

Tell Your Vendor About CASAA

Visit stores in person or contact online vendors, let them know the work CASAA is doing and that we need their support and involvement. Membership is free! CASAA’s website and handout materials are free of advertising and a neutral place for store owners to send their customers for information about smokeless alternatives. We can say the things they can’t say regarding the safety and efficacy of the products they sell and we have materials they can use, such as the folded informational business cards, flyers and display stands. Ask your online vendors to download display the “We Support CASAA” logo and link to casaa.org on their website.

Donate A CASAA Vendor Display Kit

The CASAA store has a vendor display kit for local stores that includes a display stand with card holder, insert poster and 250 folded informational business cards for $30 (our cost.) In lieu of a monetary donation directly to CASAA, consider purchasing one or more kits and taking them to local stores to put on their counter instead.

Hand Out CASAA Literature and Cards

The CASAA web site has downloadable flyers, a medical inforgraph, cards, brochures and research that you can print and give out at vape meets and to family members, smokers, customers, doctors, employers and lawmakers. You can also purchase the CASAA folded informational cards from our store.

CASAA Printable Material
CASAA Store

Donate to CASAA

Please donate to CASAA using the form found here: Donate to CASAA

You can either do a one-time donation or set up a recurring monthly donation. CASAA uses PayPal and Dwolla, but you can also use a credit card, if you don’t use PayPal, or pay by check/money order. CASAA uses these funds to pay for the website maintenance, domain names, press releases, CQ Roll Call, CASAA phone app, directors’ travel expenses, accountant services, phone service, PO Box, printing materials, graphic licenses and more.

Contributions or gifts to CASAA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.

CASAA also maintains a separate Research Fund, which pays for our survey subscription, research assistant and research grants. You can find out more and donate to the Research Fund here: CASAA Research Fund