Bill Godshall Update 2015-03-09
Tobacco Harm Reduction Update - March 9th, 2015
Contents:
FDA, THR Research, THR Education and Advocacy, E-cig Sales Bans, Taxation, Litigation, Packaging and Labeling, Vaping Bans, E-cig Sales Bans To Minors, THR Business, Canada, Junk Science, Propaganda and Lies.
FDA
FDA's March 9 & 10 workshop on e-cigarettes can be watched/listened to at:
http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm428317.htm
More than 40 presentations at SRNT conference by federally (i.e. FDA/CDC/NIH/NIDA) funded researchers advocate more government regulations/restrictions on tobacco products (primarily e-cigs), documenting that federal research funds are being used to lobby for public policy changes.
http://www.srnt.org/conferences/SRNT_2015_Abstracts_WEB.pdf
FDA hosted pre-conference workshop at SRNT conference with many THR opponents (but no THR advocates) to promote FDA funded research opportunities; hosted session 'Continuum of Risk: Pros and Cons in Tobacco Regulation' with six government funded regulatory proponents who have opposed THR products and policies to reduce smoking
http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm433525.htm
Mitch Zeller announces resignations of 4 TPSAC members, including Chair Jonathan Samet, due to conflicts of interest
http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/NewsEvents/ucm436783.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/members-fda-tobacco-panel-leave-court-ruling-29437468
Bill Godshall predicted Zeller would replace TPSAC Chair Samet in July 2014
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/fda-regulations/585516-judge-leon-strikes-again-rules-fda-tpsac-had-conflicts-interest-quashes-menthol-report-orders-fda-reconstitute-tpsac.html
ACSH: FDA tobacco advisory committee a nest of conflicted members. Some changes are at hand
http://acsh.org/2015/03/tobacco-advisory-committee-nest-conflicted-members-changes-hand/
Brad Rodu: Conflicts of interest exposed, FDA reorganizes tobacco advisory panel
http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com.es/2015/03/conflicts-of-interest-exposed-fda.html
FDA issues Final Guidance for 'Demonstrating the Substantial Equivalence of a New Tobacco Product: Responses to Frequently Asked Questions.' Agency now allows for some changes/differences (from 2007 SE predicate product) in 'label' (but not brand name),
http://www.fda.gov/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/ucm436462.htm
http://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/UCM436468.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2015-05023.pdf
NIDA solicits bids for Development of a Standardized Electronic Cigarette for Clinical Research (but will only accept bids for inferior cigalike e-cigs, NOT for PVs/e-liquid, which are more effective for smoking cessation and reducing cigarette consumption); NIDA absurdly claims PVs/e-liquid aren't safe
https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=b13729ba9ad6a1df0b734ea2a9e0c4cb&tab=core&_cview=1
Wendy Parmet: In regulating e-cigarettes, no easy fix for the FDA (Godshall comments with facts about e-cigs and FDA's proposed 'deeming regulation'
http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2015/02/20/in-regulating-e-cigarettes-no-easy-fix-for-the-fda/
CPAC attendees decry widespread attacks on citizen personal freedom (including e-cigs)
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/26/cpac-attendees-decry-widespread-attacks-on-citizen/
Orange County (CA) Register editorial exposes how FDA's proposed 'deeming reg/ban' would decimate the vapor products industry and increase costs of vapor products
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/fda-650813-market-cigarettes.html
To lobby for FDA's proposed 'deeming regulation', article misleads readers to believe that past month use of an e-cig, cigar, hookah or smokeless tobacco by teens is just as (or more) hazardous as smoking a half pack of cigarettes daily.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/3/409.full
THR Research
New study of 181 vape shop customers finds 66% had totally quit smoking, and a mean consumption decline from 22.1 to 7.5 cigarettes/day by those who didn't quit smoking;
finds 86% began vaping to quit smoking, 89% use PVs and e-liquid products, 72% vape non-tobacco/menthol flavorings, 72% use e-liquid with 2% (20mg/ml) or less nicotine; those who vaped longer, used PVs and e-liquid, and used non-tobacco/menthol flavors were more likely to quit smoking.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.12878/abstract
France's 2014 INPES Health Barometer finds about 400,000 (.9%) French have quit smoking cigarettes by switching to vaping
http://www.inpes.sante.fr/70000/dp/15/dp150224-def.pdf
(top of page 10)
http://www.inpes.sante.fr/30000/actus2014/048-cigarette-electronique.asp
http://vaperanks.com/french-health-barometer-reveals-400000-people-have-quit-smoking-using-e-cigarettes/
Mike Siegel: Study finds almost no hazardous chemicals in aerosol of Blu or Sky-cig e-cigarettes
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/03/study-finds-almost-no-hazardous.html
Study confirms that e-cigarettes generate virtually no toxins
http://reason.com/blog/2015/03/04/study-confirms-that-e-cigarettes-generat
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0273230014002505
THR Education and Advocacy
Public Health England publishes video commentaries by public health experts (and several vaping opponents) about e-cigarettes and vaping
http://www.clivebates.com/?p=2908
Mike Siegel's WSJ op/ed exposes lies by Obama's DHHS, CA DPH, NEJM about e-cigs http://www.wsj.com/articles/michael-b-siegel-the-misbegotten-crusade-against-e-cigarettes-1424821708?mod=hp_opinion
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/02/wall-street-journal-op-ed-exposes.html
Linda Bauld corrects false fear mongering claims about vaping, but The Guardian editors chose misleading headline for her op/ed to further confuse, scare and sell papers
http://www.theguardian.com/science/sifting-the-evidence/2015/feb/23/theres-no-evidence-e-cigarettes-are-as-harmful-as-smoking
Former WHO official Derek Yach: E-cigarettes save lives
http://www.spectator.co.uk/health/features-health/cover-feature/9442271/e-cigarettes-save-lives/
http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/damian-thompson/2015/02/smoking-kills-nicotines-doesnt-a-huge-boost-for-the-campaign-to-promote-e-cigarettes/
http://acsh.org/2015/02/former-tobacco-control-official-new-outlook-stemming-lethal-toll-smoking/
Alameda County (CA) Supervisor Miley advocates vaping as alternative for smokers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZugMqp2Q0Q&feature=em-share_video_user
http://www.castrovalleyforum.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=19&Itemid=26
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/03/public-policy-maker-becomes-first-to.html
Sean Hanna: Vapes are not going to vanish '“ there's too much money at state (NY)
http://www.irondequoitpost.com/article/20150216/OPINION/150219808/2011/OPINION
SC among several states allowing e-cigarette sales in jails
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2015/02/17/cigarette-jails-sales-bans-south-carolina/23564139/
Clive Bates: The Tobacco End Game
http://www.clivebates.com/?p=2771
http://www.clivebates.com/documents/endgame.pdf
Lynn Kozlowski '“ Prospects for a nicotine-reduction strategy in the cigarette endgame: alternative tobacco harm reduction scenarios
http://www.ijdp.org/article/S0955-3959(15)00043-2/fulltext
Vapor product sales bans
Indiana Senate passes bill (SB 539) to protect cigarette industry by banning sale of e-liquid unless manufacturer pays $5,000 for permit and complies with unwarranted regulations
http://iga.in.gov/legislative/2015/bills/senate/539#
Indiana House passes bill (HB 1432) to protect cigarette industry by banning sale of e-liquid unless manufacturer pays $5,000 for permit and complies with unwarranted regulations
https://legiscan.com/IN/text/HB1432/2015
Illinios Rep Kathleen Willis files motion to table (i.e. withdrew from consideration) her bill (HB 3362) that would have banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and e-liquid
http://ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=88&GA=99&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=3362&GAID=13&LegID=89547&SpecSess=0&Session=0
Utah bill (HB 415) introduced by e-cig prohibitionists Paul Ray would impose many vague but potentially devastating regulations that could ban many/most e-cig products
http://le.utah.gov/~2015/bills/static/HB0415.html
CASAA Call to Action urges opposition to Utah bill (HB 415) that would impose vague but potentially devastating regulations that could ban many/most/all e-cig products
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/03/illinois-call-to-action-take-action-to.html
OR bill (SB 190) would ban online sales of e-cigs by Oregon vendors, hearing on 3/9/15
https://legiscan.com/OR/bill/SB190/2015
CT bill (HB 6283) would ban nearly all vapor product sales to adults, ban vaping everywhere smoking is banned.
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/TOB/H/2015HB-06283-R00-HB.htm
CASAA Call to Action opposes multiple Connecticut bills (HB 6283, HB 5449, HB 6290) to ban vaping, ban flavored vapor product, impose manufacturing and labeling standards on vapor products, and restrict marketing
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/02/connecticut-call-to-action-multiple.html
Taxation
US Senate bill cosponsored by four regressive Democrats (S 450) would protect cigarettes, discourage smokers from quitting, and deceive the public (to inaccurately believe all vapor products and OTP are as harmful as cigarettes) by unfairly taxing far less hazardous vapor products, smokeless tobacco and cigars at same rate as cigarettes; referred to Senate Finance Cmte
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/450/text
North Dakota Senate rejects (30-17) bill (SB 2322) that would have taxed vapor products and would have increased cigarette and OTP tax rates
http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/64-2015/bill-actions/ba2322.html
PA Gov. Tom Wolf proposes increasing cigarette tax from $1.60 to $2.60/pack (i.e. to 35% of retail price), imposing even higher 40% tax on wholesale price of far less hazardous e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, large cigars and pipe tobacco) to generate an estimated $358 million in cigarette tax revenue in FY15/16, $84 million in OTP tax revenue.
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/current_and_proposed_commonwealth_budgets/4566 (C-6 of budget)
http://fox43.com/2015/03/04/pa-budget-proposal-includes-increased-taxes-on-cigarettes-and-tobacco-products/
AVA: Pennsylvania legislature should reject Gov. Wolf's e-cig tax
http://vaping.info/news/2015/pennsylvania-legislature-reject-gov-wolfs-e-cig-tax
Anti-smoking group fuming over proposed tax on e-cigs
http://wesa.fm/post/anti-smoking-group-fuming-over-proposed-tax-e-cigs
More info on PA Gov. Wolf's vapor product, cigarette and OTP tax proposal
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/legislation-news/656706-pennsylvania-gov-wolf-proposing-taxing-e-cigs.html#post15382248
Ohio bill (HB 64) would tax e-liquid containing nicotine at $1.125/ml (a $33.75 tax on a 30ml bottle of e-liquid) and at $.1125/gm for other vapor products, increase the cigarette tax from $1.25 to $2.25/pack, increase OTP tax from 17% to 60% of wholesale price, and establish a minimum retail price for cigarettes (an anti-competitive price fixing scheme to ensure increased profit margins for all cigarette retailers in OH). Since HB 64 states ''Vapor product' includes any product containing nicotine, regardless of concentration', a $252 tax would be imposed on a 5lb bag of eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes and/or green peppers ($.1125 x 28gm/oz x16oz/lb x 5lbs = $252), while teas and spices containing nicotine also would be taxed at $.1125/gm.
https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA131-HB-64
Note the cigarette tax sections of HB 64 begin on page 2074, OTP tax provisions begin on page 2094, and vapor product tax provisions begin on page 2099.
CASAA Call to Action opposes Ohio Gov. Kasich's budget proposal (HB 64) to tax vapor products more than cigarettes (i.e. $33.75 tax on a 30ml bottle of e-liquid)
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/02/ohio-call-to-action-gov-kasichs.html
AVA: Is Gov. Kasich trying to stop smokers from quitting?
http://vaping.info/news/2015/ohio-gov-john-kasich-trying-stop-smokers-quitting
New Mexico bill (SB 65) to tax vapor products at $.04/mg of nicotine (i.e. $28.80 tax on a 30 ml bottle containing 24 mg/ml of nicotine)
https://legiscan.com/NM/drafts/SB65/2015
https://legiscan.com/NM/text/SB65/id/1056626
CASAA issues Call to Action opposing NM bill (SB 65) to tax vapor products
Study analyzing 263 e-liquid samples on Greek market finds no detectable level of nitrosamines or polycyclic aeromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in any of the products
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25681325
NH bill (HB 2) to implement Gov. Hassan's budget proposal would tax e-cigs at 73.94% of wholesale price
https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB2/id/1145181
AVA: New Hampshire Gov. Hassan's e-cig tax should be axed
http://vaping.info/news/2015/nh-gov-hassans-e-cig-tax-axed
CASAA Call to Action urges opposition to NH Gov. Hassan's proposal to impose 73.94% tax on e-cigs
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/03/new-hampshire-call-to-action-oppose-gov.html
CASAA issues Call to Action urging an amendment for a Texas bill (SB 97) to eliminate the $6 surcharge for buying a vapor product on the Internet from a TX vendor (which would prompt TX vapers to buy lower cost products from out-of-state Internet vendors)
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/02/texas-call-to-action-sb-97-should-be.html
AVA urges Utah vapers and vendors to oppose the e-cig tax proposed by Gov. Herbert
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jr7kwvSqjYbs5Qb-be-bsSKiv2QysgUbsEsX6UtiqpY/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1
New Jersey bills (A4251 & S1867) from 2014 would tax vapor products to generate $35 million in state revenue
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/A4500/4251_I1.PDF
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S2000/1867_I1.PDF
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2014/Bills/S2000/1867_S1.PDF
Clive Bates '“ Fiscal deaths ahead: European Commission wants to tax e-cigarettes
http://www.clivebates.com/?p=2876
European Commission puts money before health with e-cigarette tax proposals
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/02/19/european-commission-puts-money-before-health-with-e-cigarette-tax-proposals/
EU is considering taxation of e-cigarettes
http://www.newstalk.com/reader/47.301/41662/0/
Litigation
Nevada court rules that vapor products are not tobacco products, as Southern Nevada Health District lies about vaping
http://ktnv.video.jrn.com/SNHD-issues-advisory-for-ecigs-after-lawsuit-against-shopping-center-28597329
Packaging/labeling
WA Senate approves Substitute SB 5477, would require child-resistant packaging for vapor products, but would require vague warnings on vapor products sold in WA (that would differ from FDA's proposed warning)
http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5477&year=2015
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5477-S.pdf
http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2015-16/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/5477-S.E%20SBR%20APS%2015.pdf
Washington Senate Health Care Cmte held hearing on bill (SB 5477) to regulate vapor product packaging; sponsor repeats false fear mongering claims about child poisoning; http://tvw.org/index.php?option=com_tvwplayer&eventID=2015020174#start=3628&stop=5128
Vaping Bans
Couple banned from adopting child after husband seen using e-cigarette (UK)
http://www.gloucestercitizen.co.uk/Couple-banned-adopting-child-husband-seen-using-e/story-26065062-detail/story.html
CT bill (HB 6283) would ban vaping everywhere smoking is banned, ban nearly all vapor product sales to adults
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/TOB/H/2015HB-06283-R00-HB.htm
CT bill (HB 5449) would ban vaping everywhere smoking is banned
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2015/TOB/H/2015HB-05449-R00-HB.htm
CASAA Call to Action opposes multiple Connecticut bills (HB 6283, HB 5449, HB 6290) to ban vaping, ban flavored vapor product, impose manufacturing and labeling standards on vapor products, and restrict marketing
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/02/connecticut-call-to-action-multiple.html
New Hampshire bill (SB 109) would protect cigarette markets by banning use of smokefree electronic nicotine delivery systems everywhere smoking is banned
https://legiscan.com/NH/text/SB105/id/1089152
CASAA Call to Action opposes New Hampshire bill (SB 105) to ban vaping everywhere smoking is banned
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/02/new-hampshire-call-to-action-oppose-sb.html
AVA: Oregon Senate should reject senseless vaping prohibitions
http://vaping.info/news/2015/oregon-senate-reject-senseless-vaping-prohibitions
Illinois bill (HB 2404) would ban vaping in workplaces
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=2404&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=87569&SessionID=88
http://thesouthern.com/news/local/e-cig-ban-would-force-smokers-outside/article_9d3d8d60-c1c8-5c86-aac1-b8def2f166ba.html
CASAA Call to Action urges opposition to Illinois bill (HB 2404) to ban vaping
http://blog.casaa.org/2015/03/illinois-call-to-action-take-action-to.html
Multnomah County (OR) bans vaping in workplaces
http://koin.com/2015/03/05/vote-banning-e-cigarettes-looming-in-multnomah-county/
Pennsylvania bill (SB 567) would ban smoking in remaining 1% of PA worklplaces, but would ban vaping in all workplaces, referred to Public Health and Welfare Cmte
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billInfo/billInfo.cfm?sYear=2015&sInd=0&body=S&type=B&bn=567
Two Irish politicians propose e-cig reg/ban bill to protect cigarette markets and threaten public heatlh under the deceitful guise of protecting children and public health, would ban vaping in all workplaces and in cars with youth present, ban advertisements and sponsorships by vapor manufacturers/importers.
http://averilpower.ie/?p=5747
E-cig sales bans to minors
Pennsylvania bill (HB 587) would ban sale of alternative nicotine products (including e-cigs) to minors, referred to House Judiciary Cmte (same as SB 1055 in 2013/14)
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2015&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=587
http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&sessYr=2015&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=0587&pn=0655
THR Business
Pinney Associates and subsidiary enter into product development and consulting agreements with subsidiaries of Reynolds American, Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pinneyassociates-and-subsidiary-enter-into-product-development-and-consulting-agreements-with-subsidiaries-of-reynolds-american-inc-300038107.html
Reynolds delving deeper into nicotine gum business
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/feb/19/reynolds-american-delving-deeper-into-nicotine-gum/
Counterfeit e-cigs on the rise
http://www.wsj.com/articles/e-cigarette-makers-face-rise-of-counterfeits-1424441348
http://www.cspnet.com/category-news/tobacco/articles/counterfeit-e-cigs-hit-europe-us
Canada
Health Canada hires contractor for $282,000 (US) to conduct sting operations against e-cig retailers using teen secret shoppers (even though Health Canada has insisted since 2009 that selling e-cigs to adults is illegal), ANSR's Melody Tilson makes more false claims about e-cigs to confuse, scare and lobby for more cigarette protecting regulations
http://news.nationalpost.com/2015/02/16/health-canada-hiring-secret-shoppers-to-find-out-if-stores-sell-e-cigarettes-to-teens/
Junk science, propaganda and lies
Mike Siegel: Washington Governor asserts that smoking may be no more hazardous than vaping
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/02/washington-governor-asserts-that.html
Southern Nevada Health District protects cigarettes and threatens public health by issuing a false fear mongering 'health advisory' about e-cigs, urging NV legislators to ban vaping and tax/regulate vapor products the same as cigarettes. Health Officer Joe Iser falsely claims smoking will increase unless e-cig and vaping are strictly regulated.
http://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2015/02/18/health-district-issues-advisory-regarding-e-cigarettes/
http://southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/news15/20150218-e-cigarettes.php
http://southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/download/news15/health-advisory-e-cigarettes-201502.pdf
http://gethealthyclarkcounty.org/live-tobacco-free/other-electronic.php
Brad Rodu: Fargo Foregoes Facts '“ Public Health Officials Misinform on Smokeless Tobacco
http://rodutobaccotruth.blogspot.com/2015/02/fargo-foregoes-facts-public-health.html
Mike Siegel: Utah Department of Health refuses to acknowledge that cigarette smoking is any more hazardous than vaping
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/02/utah-department-of-health-refuses-to.html
Canadian Paediatric Society's Richard Stanwick calls Health Canada's purported e-cig sales ban 'weak', grossly misrepresents evidence on e-cigs to confuse, scare and lobby for even more regulations to prevent smokers from switching to vapor products.
http://www.cps.ca/en/documents/position/e-cigarettes
Jeffrey Wigand lies about e-cigs to confuse, scare and protect cigarette markets
http://finance.yahoo.com/video/tobacco-industry-whistleblower-calls-ban-044220063.html
NY Times so-called health columnist Jane Brody bemoans cigarette hazards and then repeats false claims about far less hazardous e-cigs to discourage smokers from switching
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/02/23/need-to-curtail-smoking-becomes-more-acute-as-its-known-dangers-widen/
ACSH: Jane Brody's column spreads poisonous nonsense about e-cigarettes
http://acsh.org/2015/02/jane-brodys-column-spreads-poisonous-nonsense-e-cigarettes/
Canadian Dr. Brett Belchetz misrepresents e-cig research findings to confuse and scare
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dr-brett-belchetz/ecigarettes-dangers_b_6807714.html
WebMD article on vaping grossly exaggerates the negligible risks of vaping, fails to acknowledge any health benefits, repeats 'we don't know' and 'not proven safe' propaganda, then quotes Neal Benowitz acknowledging that vaping is far less hazardous than smoking, and emits no smoke or polluting 2nd hand smoke (in contrast to smoking)
http://www.webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20150218/e-cigarette-ingredients
The Guardian editors choose false headline 'Nicotine is a poison, no matter how it is delivered' for inaccurate column that repeats lies about vaping
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/19/nicotine-poison-e-cigarettes-evidence
- Bill Godshall
Godshall THRU 2015-03-09