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

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®

ZIPsterHP_side
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.)