CASAA Quarterly 2016 Q1

CASAA Quarterly 2016 Q1

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February 2016

 

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FDA

 

In December, 2015, CASAA had the opportunity to present our analysis of the FDA Deeming Regulations along with over 8000 testimonials we’ve collected from vapers. At the time of this writing, the deeming regulations are still listed as “under review” with the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).

This may be  a positive sign that OIRA is working to blunt some of the worst of the impact of FDA’s regulations, but it may also be indicative of the overall backlog of tasks that federal agencies are prone to experience. This backlog, of course, is just one of the major issues facing the effectiveness of the approvals process that vapor manufacturers would be required to undergo once the deeming regulations are finalized. Although the delay is useful in buying time for the industry and consumers to raise awareness — publicly and in Congress — about the devastating effect the deeming regulations will have on our access to vapor products, it is still only a delay. The regulations are pending, not tabled.

 

Misinformation

 

Actually, the more accurate term is disinformation. Some will remember San Francisco Department of Health’s 2014 campaign to “educate” residents and visitors about the change to the city’s anti-smoking law which included vapor products in the public use ban. Since then, several new campaigns have been unleashed on the public and are having a detrimental effect on people’s understanding and awareness of vapor products.

 

Chicago, IL – Most recently, the City of Chicago released the #VapingTruth campaign. Despite the title, the campaign is riddled with inaccuracies and innuendo which falsely equate vapor products with the harms of smoking. The campaign is presented as a means of discouraging youth from initiating a life-long, debilitating nicotine addiction through using products being marketed as “safe.” However, to the trained eye, the campaign is clearly an effort to justify the city’s outrageous $0.55 per milliliter tax on e-liquid (combined with Cook County’s $0.22 per milliliter tax, the total tax imposed on e-liquid is $0.75 per milliliter). Predictably, many vapor retailers are leaving the City of Chicago and moving to neighboring municipalities that have not implemented such a devastating tax.

 

The net effect for Chicago, again, predictably, will be a loss of revenue and a blow to public health as fewer people make the switch from smoking to low-risk alternatives like e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, it will take the rest of the year and maybe longer for the data to show Chicago’s mistake. In the meantime, thousands of smokers within the city who do not have access to affordable means of purchasing vapor products — or have otherwise been misled into believing that e-cigarettes are possibly more dangerous than smoking — will continue to smoke or attempt to quit by traditional means that have dismal failure rates.

 

New York City, NY – In January, CASAA’s Legislative Coordinator Alex Clark along with American Vaping Association’s Gregory Conley attended a rally in New York City organized by City Comptroller Scott Stringer and NYC Public Advocate Letitia James. The #NoEcigs4Kids rally was a direct attack on the alleged youth-oriented marketing practices of the vapor industry. However, once again, like the campaigns in Chicago and San Francisco, the press conference was riddled with innuendo and baseless claims of harm associated with vapor products. Another disturbing theme of the event was the insinuation that flavors other than tobacco and menthol are used exclusively to entice children to purchase and use vapor products.

 

Despite the organizers’ apparent lack of interest in the facts about vapor products and their attempts to quash dissent, a few in attendance, including Jeff Stier of the National Center for Public Policy Research, were able to offer an opposing voice to the media.

 

Projects

 

CASAA’s Testimonials Project, as mentioned above, has collected over 8000 stories and continues to grow. During CASAA’s December meeting with OMB/OIRA regarding the FDA deeming regulations, your stories were prominently featured as part of our presentation. We are working toward collecting testimonials with more detail so that we can provide state specific numbers to state and regional advocacy organizations that will assist them in their advocacy efforts.

 

Register to Vote before your state’s deadline! . . . and then, make sure you Vote!

No matter what your feelings are about the current crop of candidates, primary season is a perfect opportunity to take part in the political process. Exercising your right to vote is vital to any advocacy effort. Engagement from voters carries weight with lawmakers as they consider input on legislation that comes before them. Lawmakers are not be able to see how you vote, but they will certainly check to see if you are voting.

 


 

 

Legislative Update

 

As of Tuesday, February 9th, 2016, 41 states are in session. Although we haven’t seen nearly as many bills introduced as we did by this time in 2015, there are new legislative issues that are emerging and several bills have been carried over from the previous session.

 

FDA Deeming

  • HR 2058 — The FDA Deeming Clarification Act of 2015 — is still the best legislative vehicle we have to change the predicate date for newly deemed tobacco products in the Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act. Without this necessary change, vapor manufacturers will be required to submit prohibitively expensive pre-market approval applications in order to bring their products to market. By the FDA’s own estimates, this requirement will cause 97%+ of current manufacturers to exit the market. CASAA estimates this will actually be 99%+.

 

Child Resistant Packaging

  • In January, President Obama signed S.142 — The Child Nicotine Poisoning Prevention Act of 2015 — into law. Effective July, 2016, all bottles of e-liquid sold in the United States will be required to have child-resistant packaging. Retailers and manufacturers should become familiar with two very important sections of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): Title 16, Section 1700.15 (Poison prevention packaging standards) and Section 1700.20 (Testing procedure for special packaging). Some states already require e-liquid to be sold in child-resistant packaging. Retailers are required to show proof upon inspection that a manufacturer of e-liquids they are selling is compliant with these two sections. It is important to note that just because a manufacturer states that their bottles are child-resistant, it does not mean they are compliant with federal standards.

 

Taxes

  • Alaska, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Utah, and Virginia all have new tax bills aimed at vapor products introduced this year.

  • California is facing a ballot initiative in 2016 that would raise the tax on cigarettes to $2.00 per pack. Although it is being promoted as a strategy to discourage youth from smoking and to raise much needed revenue for the state, it would also establish an equivalent tax on vapor products. Neither the title of the initiative nor many reports on this effort disclose the tax on vapor products. Retailers and advocates in California should make every effort to raise awareness about this initiative and inform consumers that it includes a tax on e-cigarettes.

  • Maine saw a tax bill defeated almost immediately this year, but until the legislature is adjourned in late April, it’s still too soon to call LD 973 “dead.”

  • New Jersey still has a 75% wholesale tax proposal on the table.

  • West Virginia’s governor has threatened to include a tax on vapor products in this year’s budget. There is currently a bill — HB2634 — which would raise the wholesale tax on other tobacco products (OTP) from 7% to 50%. Although OTP does not typically include vapor products, the category primarily refers to low-risk smokeless tobacco products such as snus, moist snuff, and often dissolvable nicotine products.

  • Maryland HB 71 proposes to raise the tax on OTP from 30% to 74%. This bill also defines snus and other dissolvable smokeless tobacco products that were vaguely included in the previous definition of OTP. A separate tax is defined for these “single-dose smokeless tobacco” products. Like West Virginia, Maryland does not currently define OPT to include vapor products.

  • Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has included the 40% wholesale tax again in the FY2016-17 Commonwealth Budget proposal.

 

Tobacco 21 (T21)

  • Oklahoma, Kentucky, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Iowa, and West Virginia all have bills that would raise the age to purchase tobacco and vapor products. Concurrently, HR3656 and SB2100 are active at the federal level to raise the federal minimum purchase age for tobacco products (which would include vapor products after FDA deeming) to 21.

  • New Jersey’s Governor Chris Christie recently vetoed Tobacco 21 legislation. However, a new bill — SB 359 — was quickly introduced in another attempt to raise the purchase age.

 

Proposals to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco products have been working their way through cities and municipalities for roughly ten years. In 2013, New York City– known for its aggressive tobacco control policies–was the first major US city to raise the minimum age to purchase tobacco and vapor products to 21. In 2015, Hawaii became the first state to pass legislation that raises the minimum purchase age to 21.

Advocates of T21 claim these laws will significantly reduce smoking initiation for adolescents and young adults. However, these laws also ban the sale of vapor products and other safer alternatives to smoking. CASAA’s position is that including low-risk alternatives in T21 laws is unwise and likely to hamper the general public health goal of reducing the use of combustible tobacco products.

Consistent with CASAA’s mission, we support the principles of tobacco harm reduction as the most effective and humane means for reducing the harms caused by smoking. We believe if consumers are provided accurate information about the relative health risks of these products, in concert with their individual freedom to choose, many will opt for safer, low-risk alternatives to smoking. Empowering consumers presents a significant opportunity to vastly improve public health without resorting to coercive methods of control such as punitive taxation, comprehensive place bans, and excessively restrictive regulations.

In contrast, advocates of T21 legislation have as their guiding principle the eventual elimination tobacco and nicotine products from the marketplace. To this end, they promote the view that all tobacco and vapor products, in spite of considerable evidence to the contrary, are equally harmful. We believe it is never appropriate to mislead consumers about product risks in order to achieve a policy goal.  

Accordingly, T21 legislation, which treats all tobacco and vapor products equally under the law, sends the misleading message to consumers that e-cigarettes, snus, and other low-risk products pose risks equivalent to traditional cigarettes. It treats young adults, who are capable enough to serve in the military, sign contracts, and elect decision-makers to public office, as incapable of making the distinction between risky and less risky behavior. And finally, T21 laws represent a prohibitionist approach, which in the past has often been met with limited success compared to the harmful unintended consequences.

Although CASAA takes no position on regulations regarding combustible tobacco products, we strongly oppose this legislation. We believe this policy will cause far more harm than it prevents, and we urge our members to oppose it.

 

Place Bans (Indoor and Other)

  • New Jersey A3842 would allow for the use of vapor products in vapor retail/lounge establishments. New Jersey was the first state to include vaping in an indoor smoke-free air law in 2010. The law applies to all indoor public places and has proven to be, in some cases, unenforceable, while in other cases the law has created problems for businesses, consumers, and local departments of health.

  • Alaska’s SB1 and HB40, which would include vaping in the state’s indoor clean air law, have been carried over from the 2015 session.

  • Florida’s HB1143 would prohibit vaping in the same places where smoking is currently banned. Beyond the fact that such a prohibition is unwarranted, the bill has some issues with the language that may extend the vaping ban to private residences, restaurants, and bars which are exempt from existing smoking regulations. HB1143 predictably passed favorably out of its first committee hearing in January. At the time of this writing, HB1143 missed an important deadline as it failed to be heard in the second committee hearing. Although this is a positive sign, there remains a possibility that the language from this bill will be tacked onto another piece of legislation that is further along in the process. We will update our call to action as more information comes to light.

  • Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, and Virginia all have bills this year that would prohibit vaping in indoor public spaces.

 

Flavor Prohibition

  • New Jersey and New York currently have bills introduced that would limit the sale of flavored vapor products to tobacco, menthol, mint, and wintergreen. CASAA has issued a Call to Action for the bill in New Jersey (S.298)

  • At the local level, municipalities such as Cleveland, OH, Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN, and Boston, MA have restricted the sale of flavored tobacco and vapor products to specialty tobacco or vapor retail shops.

 


 

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National

 

Call to Action! Support HR 2058 which would change the grandfather date for vapor products

Original Post – (updated) 10.18.15 The FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2015 (HR…

 

Share Iowa AG Tom Miller’s statements about vapor products with your Attorney General

For residents outside of Iowa, please take a moment to share AG Miller’s statement with your attorneys general.

 

States

 

GA – Oppose HB 907 which would destroy the Georgia vapor industry.

A bill — HB 907 — has been introduced which would impose devastating licensing and manufacturing…

Chicago, IL – Fight Back against misinformation!

Chicago, IL If you live in, work, or visit the city of Chicago, you may have noticed billboards…

VT – Take Action to oppose an indoor vaping ban (H.171)!

Update – 02.09.16 H. 171, which would include vaping in Vermont’s workplace smoking prohibition,…

NJ – Take Action to oppose a ban on flavored vapor products (S.298)!

[Updated 02.10.16 – Corrected hearing information. S.298 has not yet been heard in committee…

OR – Take Action to oppose a dangerous tax on vapor products!

Update – 02.05.16 HB 4062 is moving to a work session today: Friday, February 5th, 2016 1:30…

Hawaii – Call to Action! Take Action to oppose taxes on vapor products!

SB 2961 would enact a yet-to-be-determined excise tax on e-cigarette cartridges and a…

Florida Call to Action! Oppose an indoor vaping ban (HB 1143)

01.20.16 As predicted, HB 1143, which would prohibit the use of electronic cigarettes and vapor…

 

Help us say Thank You to Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller for his sensible comments about vapor products

In the final days of 2015, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller released a statement in support of…

 

Local

 

Alameda Co., CA – Local Alert!: Oppose Indoor use bans and Licensing requirements

Alameda Co., CA Update – 02.09.16 Discussion and voting on the “Tobacco Retailers License…

Chicago, IL – Fight Back against misinformation!

Chicago, IL If you live in, work, or visit the city of Chicago, you may have noticed billboards…

Albany Co., NY – Local Alert! Take action to oppose Tobacco 21 law!

Albany County, NY [Update – Correction to specifics of Tuesday’s hearing] Local Law “C”…

 


 

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“A Billion Lives”

 

CASAA has had several opportunities to meet with and get to know Aaron Biebert and some of the crew working on this documentary. We are very excited with the progress of this film and are looking forward to its release in 2016. As a follow up to a recent update from Aaron, we’d like to help facilitate requests to include the film in the various film festivals to which it has been submitted.

 

Please use the links collected below to contact the various festival organizers. Briefly tell them why the subject of the film is important to you (and the rest of the world, for that matter) and politely urge them to include “A Billion Lives” in their festival.

 

March

 

April

  • Atlanta Film Festival – Atlanta, GA

  • Dallas International Film Festival – Dallas, TX

  • Full Frame Documentary Film Festival – Durham, NC

  • It’s All True – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

  • Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival

  • Worldfest – Houston

  • Florida Film Festival – Orlando, FL

  • Tribeca Film Festival – New York, NY

  • Visions du Réel – Nyon, Switzerland

  • Hot Docs Film Festival – Toronto, Canada

Early May

  • DOK.fest – Munich, Germany

  • DocAVIV – Tel Aviv, Israel

 


 

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Upcoming Events CASAA will be attending:

 

Feb. 20 – 21: Vapin the Sun – Phoenix, AZ

Feb. 26 – 27: VapeFest – Las Vegas, NV

Mar. 04 – 06: VPX – Detroit, MI

Mar. 11 – 16: VCC – Tampa, FL

 

Seminars at which CASAA is presenting:

 

February 4, 2016 – Webinar E-Cigs Demistified: Science & Regulation. Presentation by Scott Balin, health policy consultant, and Julie Woessner, Executive Director of CASAA. A recording of the event is available here.  

 

April 21, 2016 in Brooklyn, NY (location TBA) – Tobacco Harm Reduction Conference sponsored by New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, and Community Access. This day-long conference will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss nicotine replacement therapies, including e-cigarettes. A special focus will be on tobacco harm reduction with people who have a mental illness and drug users.

 

Confirmed Speakers

  • Shadi Chamany, MD, MPH (Director of Science, Division of Prevention and Primary Care, New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene)

  • Kevin McGirr, RN, MPH (New York City College of Technology, Conference Convener)

  • Riccardo Polosa, MD (Director, Institute of Internal Medicine & Clinical Immunology, University of Catania, Italy)

  • Helen Redmond, LCSW (Harm Reduction Specialist, Community Access, New York City)

  • Michael Siegel, MD (Community Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA)

  • Julie Woessner, JD (Executive Director of The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association).

 

Details on exact location and cost are not yet available, but you can contact Kevin McGirr at [email protected] (718.260.5664) for more information. CASAA members in the greater NYC area who have an interest in, or experience with, the unique challenges posed by mental illness and drug use in connection with smoking tobacco will find this an informative conference.

 

The New V2.0 ZIPster XXL HP

V2.0 ZIPster XXL HP

by VapeSling®

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ZIPsterHP_side

To Shop now, click here

Note:

  • Our VapeSling® Canvas cradle is reinforced with a double layer of PVC for strength and liquid resistance.
  • A VapeSling® Voltage test was conducted.
  • There are no Voltage Drops when using a VapeSling®.
  • Half-Pint Style holds better than 50lbs
  • All V2.0 models have a Lifetime Guarantee

V2.0 ZIPster XXL HP Style

Our latest model was developed to accommodate users with an unrestricted Mod/e-cig carry.
This creation using our Patent Pending concept is the V2.0 ZIPster XXL HP Carabiner from VapeSling®.

ZIPsterHP
ZIPsterHP

This new adjustable sling model is a carabiner Vape Holder with 2 uses in 1. The V2.0 ZIPster XXL HP can be a sling or carabiner clip Mod Holder. As with all our Slings, Mods of ALL SIZES, WEIGHT and SHAPE are held, comfortably and securely. Your Mod’s weight is supported at your belt loops, purse strap, waistband, backpack, Sling or wherever you choose to clip the carabiner. The 50mm carabiner is black in color and engraved with the VapeSling® “VS” logo. The ZIPster Carabiner features 650 Military grade paracord and proprietary reinforced, liquid proof, black canvas cradle with Embroidered Logo. This tough cradle will carry all Mods, e-cigs, vaporizer sizes and weights, securely and comfortably.

ZIPsterHP_vape
ZIPsterHP_vape

Attachment is done with the cradle sandwiched and fastened between the Atty and the Batty (Atomizer and Battery). Your Mod will be in full display and always ready to vape. There are 2 ZIPster carry methods. The users belt loop, back pack, purse strap, waistband can be used for support, while the Mod rests upright from wherever it hangs.

HIPster_HP_Backpack
ZIPster_HP_Backpack

Additionally, the ZIPster XXL HP can be attached to the extra large adjustable ZIP line and used as a Sling Holder. The user can “zip line” their device up to vape and zip back to resting position. Essentially, vaping on the go without un-clipping. A HIPster user can also enjoy multi Mod use on the same ZIPster Sling.

HIPster_HP_side
ZIPster_HP_side

The ZIPster XXL HP Style from VapeSling® will also fit the 510 connections on EGO batteries. The center aperture on the HIPster cradle is designed to allow the 510 connection on all EGO batteries fit in securely. All 510 Atty’s will screw on easily. If you use an EGO Atomizer (EVOD, mini atty, etc.), we provide a 510 to EGO adapter to accommodate the threads. The 510 to EGO adapter provides the wider EGO threads for any EGO Atomizer whether you are using a 510 Mod or EGO battery.

Own a HIPster and want to convert it to a ZIPster? Get our ZIP line ZIPster accessory.

Specs for ZIPster:

  • Carabiner clip for selective position and ZIP vaping
  • Extra Large Adjustable ZIP line from 0″ to 40″ length (80″ around)
  • 550 7 strand core or 650 Military grade coreless Flat paracord
  • 4 layer, reinforced PVC(2layer), liquid-proof black canvas (2layer)
  • Fits all 510 devices
  • Embroidered support cradle

We apologize for our Website limitations. We have alternate colors in 550 or 650 flat paracord. Please download or view this file to choose from our alternate colors. Please make a choice from our standard (menu selected) colors to get to checkout, then make a note of the color and cord type (flat or 550 paracord) you prefer from this color chart. Don’t worry, we read ALL our customer notes before order processing.

All_V2_colors

Cord Colors for VapeSling® V2.0 Original and Half-Pint Styles
Cord Colors for VapeSling® V2.0 Original and Half-Pint Styles

For the latest news or product debuts, check our “Latest News” or follow us on Twitter, IG and FaceBook.

Right to be Smoke-Free Coalition

Right to be Smoke-Free Coalition

WHAT WE STAND FOR

The Right to be Smoke-Free Coalition is a non-profit, industry-led trade association of e-vapor businesses dedicated to promoting the interests of the industry by advocating for reasonable and responsible laws and regulations, and fighting for the right of vapers to be smoke-free.

This fight is only beginning and we need your help. Lawsuits of this nature are costly and we expect Indiana to vigorously defend against our efforts. If you are an e-liquid producer, device manufacturer, vape shop owner, or internet retailer that believes in responsible and appropriate regulations, you can join the Coalition or contribute to the cause.

LEARN ABOUT OUR FIGHT

Right to be Smoke-Free Coalition

The State of Indiana recently adopted a law that could wipe out the e-liquid industry in that state and, if not taken off the books permanently, could create dangerous precedent for other states.  Effective July 2016, the law prohibits e-liquid manufacturers, whether or not they are located in the state, from selling products to retailers and distributors in Indiana without a permit which requires compliance with expensive and burdensome manufacturing and security protocols that may be impossible to meet. Indiana vape shops will also be required to obtain a tobacco sales certificate and are prohibited from selling e-liquids where the manufacturer has failed to obtain a permit.  Of most concern, the statute is aimed solely at e-liquids used in “open-system” products, while giving manufacturers of “closed-system” cigalikes a free pass.

Three e-liquid producers and an Indiana vape shop recently filed a lawsuit in federal district court challenging the statute on various constitutional grounds.  Because it is absolutely critical for the court to understand that this statute poses a substantial risk to the entire e-vapor industry, as well as for an industry-wide association to take charge of advocacy efforts across the country, The premium e liquid company Cosmic Fog Vapors came together with Vapor Shark and Mt. Baker Vapor to form the Right to be Smoke-Free Coalition.

DONATE TO OUR CA– USE

Help us by donating to our cause and becoming part of the R2B Smoke-Free Coalition. Fight for reasonable and responsible vaping laws and regulations.

CLICK TO DONATE

R2B MEMBERS

premium e liquid

ROB CROSSLEY

Director and President
[email protected]

ecig box mod

BRIAN WALTERS

Director and Secretary
[email protected]

e liquid manufacturing

KENNY DAVIS

Director and Treasurer
[email protected]

SCOTT ELEY

Executive Management
[email protected]

NICK GOLLUST

CEO and Owner
[email protected]

ALENA AND GREG OBERG

Owners

CHERYL AND TONY REED

Owners

EVAN MCMAHON

President

STEVE NAIR

President

ALLEN JOSEPH

President

JONATHON LEE

President

SCHELL HAMMEL

President
[email protected]

COPYRIGHT © 2015 BY R2B SMOKE-FREE COALITION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

CDC, FDA and Harry Reid on Vaping

CDC, FDA and Harry Reid on Vaping

Response email to VSLLC from Nevada Senator, Harry Reid

January 29, 2016
Thank you for contacting me about the regulation of tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  I appreciate hearing from you regarding this important issue.
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. They turn nicotine, which is highly addictive, and other chemicals into a vapor that is inhaled by the user. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette use among middle school and high school students tripled in just one year. In 2014, almost 48 percent of adults who currently smoke have tried an e-cigarette, up from 21 percent just three years prior.
As you may know, the FDA regulates both the safety and the effectiveness of human drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, blood, and blood components), medical devices, and animal drugs. As the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes have not been fully studied, consumers of e-cigarette products currently have no way of knowing whether e-cigarettes are safe, what chemicals are in e-cigarettes, how much nicotine or other potentially harmful chemicals are being inhaled during use, or if there are any benefits associated with using these products.
In 2009, Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (P.L. 111-31). This legislation gave the FDA the authority to reduce youth smoking, prevent the sale of tobacco to minors, help current smokers quit, and reduce the toxicity of tobacco products. This legislation also gave the FDA the legal authority necessary to regulate several tobacco products, including cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and cigars.  In addition, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act includes a provision that requires new tobacco products to be approved by the FDA before they go to market.  Under the law, a tobacco product is considered new if it is first introduced on the market after February 15, 2007.  On April 24, 2014, the FDA issued a proposed rule to extend their authority to cover additional tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes.  This proposed rule also lists the date at which a tobacco product is considered new as February 15, 2007.  You can learn more by visiting the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/ucm388395.htm.
On December 18, 2015, President Obama signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L. 114-113) into law.  This bill, which funds the federal government through fiscal year 2016, does not include a policy rider on electronic cigarettes.  I have noted your support for the FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act (H.R. 2058). As you know, Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-4) introduced H.R. 2058 on April 28, 2015, to address the FDA’s authority to regulate e-cigarettes.  This legislation is currently pending in the House of Representatives and has not been introduced in the Senate.  Please be assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should H.R. 2058 reach the full Senate for consideration.
Again, thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. I look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
My best wishes to you.
Sincerely,
HARRY REID
United States Senator
HR:kmt

 

VapeSling® NFL Playoffs

VapeSling® NFL Playoffs Option

NFL_playoffs_logoDownload PDF for detailed view of all 12 team color cradle options:NFL_Playoff_Colors

left2Any HP Sling Style can have the “NFL Playoff” option added to the cradle.

Right

Support your team wherever you and your vape go. Our new custom cradle offering was made for you to show off your Mod and your Playoff team.

Our cradle is usually our “Silver Edition” embroidered “VS” logo surrounded by a stitched boundary.

Now, for a limited time, we are offering, VapeSling® “NFL Playoffs Option”.

This option is an add on. You pick you your Sling type then add this option on. We will install the cradle you requested onto the Sling you picked. If you pick 2 Sings and 1 cradle option, please let us know (check out comments) which gets the Custom NFL team color cradle.

Team theme Logo cradle:

1 color Logo = $0.99

2 color Logo= $1.99

Step 1: Click here to Choose your team (cradle) color (above) and add to the cart.

Step 2: Any Half-Pint Style Sling type: Choose your HP (Half-Pint) Style Sling.

Step3: Checkout. Done!

Please let us know what you think of this option. If you would like to see all NFL or any Sports teams featured, please contact us. We love feedback from our VapeSling FAM.

We are always on IG. Your best bet for 2 way feedback. Yes, we like to talk to FAM.

Twitter is barely tweeted.

Released: V2.0 Ring Sling HP Style

Released: V2.0 Ring Sling HP Style

V2.0 Ring Sling “Half-Pint Style” from VapeSling®

RingSling_flower

Note:

  • Released December 10th, 2015 the new V2.0 Ring Sling HP Style
  • Our VapeSling® Canvas cradle is reinforced with a double layer of PVC for strength and liquid resistance.
  • A VapeSling® Voltage test was conducted.
  • There are no Voltage Drops when using a VapeSling®.
  • Half-Pint Style holds better than 25lbs
  • All V2.0 models have a Lifetime Guarantee

This model was developed to accommodate users with an unrestricted Mod/e-cig carry, however, not in the form of a lanyard.
This latest creation using our Patent Pending concept is the V2.0 Ring Sling HP from VapeSling®.

RingSlingChevy2

This new sling model is a finger sling. Your HandChecks will be secure in your hand with the Ring loop on one of your fingers. As with all our Slings, Mods of ALL SIZES, WEIGHT and SHAPE are held, comfortably and securely. This tough carry will handle all Mods, e-cigs, vaporizer sizes and weights, securely and comfortably.

Attachment is done with the cradle sandwiched between the Atty and the Batty (Atomizer and Battery). Your Mod will be in full display and always ready to vape. If you have a your own carabiner the Ring Sling HP can be used as a HIPster.

The V2.0 Ring Sling HP will fit 510 connections on EGO batteries. The center aperture on the Ring Sling HP cradle is designed to allow the 510 connection on all EGO batteries fit in securely. All 510 Atty’s will screw on easily. If you use an EGO Atomizer (EVOD, mini atty, etc.), we provide a 510 to EGO adapter to accommodate the threads. The 510 to EGO adapter provides the wider EGO threads for any EGO Atomizer whether you are using a 510 Mod or EGO battery.

Own a HIPster and want to convert it to a ZIPster? Get our adjustable ZIP line ZIPster accessory.

Ring_slingChevy
Ring_slingChevy

 Specs for Ring Sling HP:

  • Large loop to fit the meatiest fingers
  • 550 or Flat 650 Military grade paracord
  • Stitched and embroidered, Dual, reinforced, liquid-proof, black canvas
  • Fits all 510 devices and EGO battys
  • See below for alternate color and cord type choices

Color Choices

We apologize for our Website limitations. We have alternate colors in 550 or 650 flat paracord. Please download or view this file to choose from our alternate colors. Please make a choice from our standard (menu selected) colors to get to checkout, then make a note of the color and cord type (flat or 550 paracord) you prefer from this color chart. Don’t worry, we read ALL our customer notes before order processing.

Vape ecig FDA Regulation

Vape ecig FDA Regulation

Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (Tobacco Control Act) became law on June 22, 2009. It gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the authority to regulate the manufacture, distribution, and marketing of tobacco products to protect public health.

FDA Deeming Regulation
The Family Smoking and Tobacco Control Act allows the FDA to issue regulations asserting jurisdiction over other tobacco products, such as cigars, cigarillos, e-cigarettes, and hookahs, among others. FDA expects to issue deeming regulation in the Spring of 2013 to cover other tobacco products.

Deeming regulation is proposed regulations that would include products meeting the definition of a “tobacco product” under the Tobacco Control Act to be subject to the FDA’s jurisdiction. The Tobacco Control Act defines a “tobacco product” as meaning “any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption, including any component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product (except for raw materials other than tobacco used in manufacturing a component, part, or accessory of a tobacco product).”

See CASAA’s The FDA & Deeming Regulations of E-cigarettes  for more detailed information.

See CASAA FDA Actions  and Previous FDA Actions by CASAA for more detailed information about what CASAA has been doing and to see the FDA Calls to Action.

Federal Tobacco Taxes
Increasing the cost of smoke-free alternatives decreases incentives for smokers to switch to lower risk products. A 2009 law approved by Congress, the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, increased the federal tax rate on moist snuff, the most common form of smokeless tobacco, by 92.5 cents per pound (from 58.5 cents to $1.51 per pound) and on chewing tobacco by 30.83 cents per pound (from 19.5 cents per pound to 50.33 cents.)

FDA Deeming Regulations of Vapor Products

Please support our Vaping Community and respond to these Vaping Calls to action as well as for your state. Links provided :

CASAA

11/24/15

National Call to Action! Make a Call to stop the FDA from banning nearly ALL vapor products from the market!

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In addition to sending an email, please make a call to support a provision (Sec. 747) in this year’s budget bill which could save the U.S. vapor industry from being destroyed by the overbearing and burdensome FDA premarket application process.

 

CASAA is asking members to voice support for a provision in this year’s budget bill that would change the grandfather date for products that are about to be subject to the FDA’s tobacco regulations. This provision

Sun Nov 22 2015 at 11:35 am PST [email protected] (Julie Woessner)
DEADLINE for Comment is TUESDAY, November 24, 2015. I. Background The FDA is requesting…

http://blog.casaa.org/2015/11/fda-call-to-action-submit-comments-on.html

 

Post on 11/21/15 

Deadline Tuesday 11/24/15

FDA Call to Action: click here—> Submit Comments on FDA’s Proposed Intended Use Regulation

DEADLINE for Comment is TUESDAY, November 24, 2015.
 Post below NOV2015

CASAA – The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association

5 Things You Can Do Right Now To Save Vaping!

(1)  Call the White House! Urge President Obama to demand that the FDA re-work their deeming regulations to allow most vapor products to remain on the market. We have provided talking points HERE.

White House: (202) 456-1111
Alternate Number: (202) 456-1414

(2)  Send a Message! While you’re waiting to be connected to the White House (or after you’ve completed your call), please send a message to your US Representative and Senators urging them to support and co-sponosor HR 2058.

Support HR 2058Send an Email

(3)  Join CASAA! It’s easy, it’s free, and we will keep you up to date on information and opportunities to take action to protect your access to vapor products.

Click to Join CASAA

(4)  Register To Vote! Millions of vapers, including YOU, have the power to influence government decisions by electing candidates who support vaping!

  Click to Register to Vote

(5)  Tell your story! Please visit CASAA’s Testimonials Project and tell us about your experience with low-risk, smoke-free products like e-cigarettes and snus.

Click to Submit Your Story

NEW PETITION FOR VAPER SIGNING

Takes 1 minute and will help save our vaping community!

VapeSling LLC will have their employees on the phone with congress and senators after we reach 100K to qualify.

At this time we are at 62k. only 38k to go.

Follow the advocate fight on Instgram for latest updates. #nodisplaytill100k #vapersarmy #unitywithinthecommunity #vapecommunity

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/urge-fda-re-work-deeming-regs-so-life-saving-vapor-products-can-remain-market

New Post 11/13/15 from CASAA.org

FDA Deeming Regulations of Vapor Products Moves Forward

The planned “deeming regulation,” with which the FDA will assume regulatory authority over e-cigarettes, has finally started moving forward again. It is now under review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), the White House office that is tasked with making sure regulations create more benefits than costs. There is little doubt that the proposed regulation will eliminate the legal market for 99.99% — perhaps even 100% — of the products over which FDA asserts jurisdiction after a grace period. (The grace period in last year’s draft version of the regulation was two years.) There is an unconfirmed rumor that FDA will attempt to ban all non-tobacco flavors almost immediately.

CASAA is currently working on our presentation to OIRA at a meeting that is scheduled for December 15, 2015. This is a process in which we and other petitioners are required to provide analysis to OIRA without the benefit of seeing the exact current regulation. However, we have every reason to believe that it is, unfortunately, basically the same as the draft FDA published last year. As of now, it is our assessment that OIRA altering or rejecting this proposed regulation is the best hope of saving the diverse e-cigarette marketplace until Congress changes the law. (Please note that some have suggested that individual vapers try to schedule meetings with OIRA. We are not recommending this to our members. We are, however, asking consumers to submit their stories as part of CASAA’s Testimonials Project. We will be sharing those testimonials with OIRA at our meeting next month.)

You will find some of ongoing analysis of the current situation posted by CASAA’s Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Carl Phillips, on his antiTHRlies blog. Already posted are why this is not really regulation (but rather a ban pretending to be regulation) and why the history of FDA’s actions (and the US government more generally) related to low-risk smokeless tobacco suggest that FDA will not behave moderately or rationally once it has authority. If you want to read about the implications of FDA regulation in more depth, check out CASAA’s comment on the draft version of the regulation (pdf).

Watch For CASAA’s Survey

We will be launching a survey of our members that will provide critical information we can present to OIRA. Please watch for the invitation to participate and then do so. This is an important survey that could make a real difference, but we will need members to participate!

To continue this and our other work, CASAA depends on member donations to be able to keep fighting on your behalf. We do not charge membership dues, but we ask that you consider making a donation of any size.


 

CASAA Files Comments With FDA

CASAA recently filed two comments on FDA’s proposed rules about child-safety features for e-cigarettes and dissolvable smokeless tobacco products. Our main comment on the proposed rules can be found here. In it, we point out that consumers could genuinely benefit from appropriate warning labels and child-resistant packaging. However, we also make it clear that those modest benefits cannot possibly justify the FDA’s deeming regulation. We also wrote this response to one of the many comments from anti-tobacco activists that — as we predicted — were trying to use this reasonable proposal as an opportunity for vilifying e-cigarettes and nicotine. That comment period is now closed. Before it closed, hundreds of CASAA members responded to our Call To Action and submitted their own comments.

Two New Directors Join CASAA Board

CASAA is pleased to announce that Brian Carter, PhD and Bruce Nye have joined our board of directors!

Dr. Brian Carter’s field of study is addictive behaviors with a focus on the pharmacological, psychological, and behavioral foundations of tobacco and nicotine use, dependence, and motivation. As a former faculty member in the Department of Behavioral Science at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, he conducted multiple National Cancer Institute funded laboratory studies on the emotional, genetic, physiological, and behavioral aspects of nicotine use in cigarette smokers. His work has been published in the journals Addiction, Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, Nicotine and Tobacco Research, and other national and international outlets. He lends his expertise to the review of current research on smoke-free alternatives, collaborates on research projects with other tobacco harm reduction scientists, and assists with the preparation of CASAA’s science-based reports to government agencies and the public at large.

Bruce Nye, RN made the switch to electronic cigarettes on September 27, 2012, immediately ending a 43-year smoking habit he had failed numerous times by all other means to stop. He retired in 2003 from his first career of 25+ years engineering software and hardware solutions as a consultant to become an award-winning nurse specializing in acute care of trauma / surgical patients at a Level I Trauma Center in the Midwest for over 10 years. He joined CASAA as a member within months of discovering vapor products and quickly became an active and passionate advocate for THR. Bruce brings to CASAA’s leadership a strong ability to strategize and craft communications in the legislative, regulatory, and public arenas.

Successful Fundraising For Study

CASAA has completed our fundraising for a study on claims that e-cigarettes and other low-risk products are a gateway to smoking – thanks again to all who donated! A grant was awarded to Karyn Heavner, PhD, a long-time Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) researcher who is the principal investigator for a research team that includes CASAA’s Carl V Phillips. As you may know, gateway claims play a major role in anti-vaping rhetoric and policy proposals. The research will trace back to their sources prominent claims that there is such a gateway effect occurring, and critically evaluate whether those sources really support the claim. We expect that this research will be very useful for advocacy, providing the first comprehensive look at whether any scientific support exists for this common claim. You can view the research proposal here.

Global Tobacco Networking Forum

CASAA representatives presented at the GTNF, the world’s leading tobacco industry meeting, which now tends to focus more on e-cigarettes than all other products combined. You can read here the presentations by CASAA Executive Director Julie Woessner, JD, and CASAA Chief Scientific Officer Carl V Phillips, PhD.

More FDA Rules

FDA has issued a new proposed rule that could have major implications limiting anything vendors can say about alternatives to smoking. This is complicated and we are reviewing it, with the expectation that we will issue a Call to Action and also submit a comment on behalf of the consumers we represent.


 

These Calls To Action are still active as of the time this newsletter was sent.

U.S.: Support HR 2058 that would change the “grandfather date” for FDA e-cigarette regulation.

California: A ballot initiative (15-0081) has been proposed that would redefine e-cigarettes as “tobacco products” and enact a damaging tax on liquids and devices. CA residents are urged to register to vote so they can Vote NO on the initiative when it is added to the ballot next year. CASAA will issue an alert in the coming weeks.

Cook County, IL: Take action now to oppose a damaging per-milliliter tax on e-liquid by contacting County Commissioners.

Everyone: If you used e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or some other tobacco harm reduction product to quit smoking and have not yet provided a CASAA Testimonial, please add your story to the nearly 7,000  we have already collected! The testimonials are an important tool in our advocacy efforts, providing hope and inspiration to those considering making the switch and also helping regulators, policymakers and legislators to understanding that vapor products really do work and that real people’s lives are being affected. Testimonials collected will be presented to OIRA at our meeting in December to help OIRA understand the profound implications of these policies on the lives of consumers who rely on these products.

 

Recently Closed Calls To Action

These deadlines for these calls-to-action have passed, but they are listed FYI. If you live in these places, you should have received an email asking you to take action. (If not, please update your contact information!)

 

VapeSling® Vape/Mod Holders

VapeSling®Sticker

VapeSling® Vape/Mod Holders

VapeSling E-Cig Mod Holder Slings, American Made

VapeSling® Vape/Mod Holders: American Made

VapeSling LLC manufacturing facility is based in the United States.  The founder / inventor is a retired American Army Soldier (ex-smoker turned 100% vaper). Every part of VapeSling® Vape/Mod Holders is proudly “Made in the USA”.

VapeSling® Concept

The VapeSling® breakthrough concept was born from E-Cig / Mod portability problems encountered with hand carry, pockets, pouches, belt clips, and all other, inadequate E-Cig / Mod portability. Some were good for device storage, however, while vaping, your device is trusted to your hands.

VapeSling® uses a unique Patent Pending “Cradle” concept which allows the user to carry, vape, and move. All 510 (industry Mod standard) connection devices are supported by any of the 16 Sling types we make. We process the cradle using our proprietary canvas. Thin to assure 510 contact between the Atomizer and Battery at your device 510 connection.  Strong to accommodate any Mod/Vape weight without breaking. So much so, that Its guaranteed for Life!

VapeSling® Manufacturing for Quality and Affordability

On July 10th 2015, we moved into our new manufacturing facility in Henderson, NV. We are now producing every aspect of our VapeSling® E-Cig Vape Holders “in house”. VapeSling LLC made this move to produce optimum quality Mod Holders while maintaining affordable manufacturing costs. Resulting in a premium, high quality, yet reasonably priced product for our customers. Previously, we used manufacturing sources in the U.S. for our cradle to be machined. This arrangement made our costs high and therefore drove our product prices up. Now in our new manufacturing facility, VapeSling LLC can assure consistent quality VapeSling E-Cig Vape Holders at an affordable price.

Why a VapeSling?

Ask yourself the following:

  1. When driving or Riding: Has your Vape become a flying and dangerous projectile? Do you fumble for your vape? Do your eyes wander off the road to look where your Vape is?
  2. Broken or damaged Mods: falling from hand holding, pockets, pouches, clips, etc?
  3. Your current vape Holder does not fit nor support all your Mods?
  4. Own a beautiful and expensive Mod? Your current carry method makes you hesitant to take it out?
  5. Lost Mods: Set it down. Forget where you left it? Worse yet, lose it for good?
  6. Lifestyle: Vape carry hindering work, play, phone use, etc?
  7. Your current Vape holder wont allow vaping while on the holder?
  8. Is your battery connector frequently covered in e-liquid?
  9. Have you ever used a Vape holder that allows vaping while securely holding your Vape, SECURELY?

VapeSling is the solution to all these issues:

  1. With VapeSling, driving or Riding while vaping is safe for you and those riding in your car. Your Vape is secure and at the ready for a relaxing vape while your eyes remain on the road. Your vape will remain a vape and not a missile.
  2. Your Mod will never break because our Slings will never break nor let go. We guarantee it for Life!
  3. All our VapeSlings support all your vapes. Mods of any size, shape or weight can be held.
  4. Carry and showcase your beautiful expensive Mods without worry. Your Mod is secure on a VapeSling.
  5. You’ll never lose your device again. With a VapeSling, your Mod is on your body, ready to vape at all times.
  6. As we all know, Vaping is not an easy lifestyle. Holding a vaping device can be obtrusive to your daily life. With a VapeSling, your hands are free to live your life again, plus, you can vape easily at any time.
  7. Our most essential benefit for VapeSling users is the ability to vape while you carry. Your Vaping Device is held safely and comfortably on your body and at the ready to vape.
  8. Whether a RDA or tank user, e-liquid leaks from your atty to the battery are mostly unavoidable. However, when attached to your VapeSling, leaks simply stay on the liquid proof canvas waiting for you to wipe it. Our proprietary canvas has a double layer of PVC for strength, yet also serves to prevent liquid from seeping thru. Your battery will never lose contact due to liquid spills.
  9. VapeSling is the only concept vape holder to Vape and Go securely. The rest are simply unsecured storage.

VapeSling Wholesale Website ordering

VapeSling Wholesale Website ordering

VapeSling incorporated a convenient manner in which to place your VapeSling Wholesale order.

This additional ordering method is simply to shop our retail store and checkout using a Wholesale coupon code. The wholesale rate is for 45% off our MSRP. We would offer 50%, however, PayPal fees associated with this process, forces us to offer 45%. Thank you for understanding when choosing this payment method.

Please request your Wholesale code from: [email protected]

The code will be restricted to your email address and unlimited in uses.

Legacy Slings and Options are unavailable for wholesale, nor this method.

Displayed is our updated color chart.

Cord Colors for VapeSling® V2.0 Original and Half-Pint Styles
Cord Colors for VapeSling® V2.0 Original and Half-Pint Styles

Our website is limited and all the colors and cord type are not displayed. Please choose any color available on the website to get to checkout. At checkout tell us your real color and cord choices on the blank comment area. If you wish, send an email to [email protected] with these color (from color chart) choices as well.

 VapeSling LLC

10624 S Eastern Ave | Suite A-838 | Henderson, NV 89052

[email protected]

Thank you for your Business!