Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
An Obscure Safety Rule Could Shut Down the Vaping Industry ~ Indiana e-cigarette tax dies on last day of legislature ~ Altria’s stock drops after earnings, revenue fall more than expected ~ If You Try to Quit the Habit, We’ll Tax You ~ Truth Telling about Tobacco and Nicotine ~ MAKING AN EPIDEMIC (PART 1). ~ New study finds 98% of FDA rules over 17 years are unconstitutional ~ Wall Street Journal: Career civil servants illegitimately rule America ~ Smoking is still killing Tennesseans: Why take away a powerful cessation tool? Vape Laws Cause Teen Smoking ~ Rack·et·eer·ing ~ THR4Life ~
An Obscure Safety Rule Could Shut Down the Vaping Industry
With Jim McDonald… imagine the loopholes… because things like this – can keep people smoking… are you paying attention?
This includes an exhaustive list of government of any type, public health, non-profits and “experts”.
“Regardless of one’s stance on harm reduction, it should go without saying that public health representatives are committed to sharing accurate information.”
Without publication the study could be used and interpreted in any way the reader sees fit. It has been said, numbers don’t lie; but sometimes numbers don’t tell you the whole truth either.
Getting advance copies of a study gives agencies a clear advantage in preparing the use of the information against or sway legislation in favor or a prejudicial interpretation.
Finally, keeping the study in close-knit circles precludes any opposition from using the study.
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Vaping In The News covers nicotine, smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, harm reduction, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies & more worldwide.
The largest threat to public health is an informed consumer.
FDA: Interpretation of and Compliance Policy ~ Cigarettes are appropriate for public health. ~ Professor “Puff-N-Stuff” Glantz ~ Response to Press Release ~ The grownup who vapes ~ E-cigarettes not in the same category as cigarettes ~ Teen Epidemic: Expert Says Research Is Biased and Flawed~ Health effects in COPD smokers who switch to electronic cigarettes ~ Nicotine stimulates receptors to boost memory in older adults ~ Arkansas Should Not Rely on Cigarette and Vaping Taxes for Income Tax Relief
FDA: Interpretation of and Compliance Policy
It seems you can, they may, might or could, but will choose to enforce certain things. At their discretion, FDA does not intend to enforce those requirements. Discretionary enforcement? Makes sense, right?
According to the Office of San Francisco City Attorney, Dennis J. Herrera, cigarettes are “appropriate for public health” in San Francisco, vaping products are not. Here’s his tweet:
Federal law: Any product on the market as of 2007 – including cigarettes – would be allowed to remain, but new products would require that the FDA certify that marketing them was “appropriate for public health” before they could be sold. #FactsMatterhttps://t.co/0ycL6oFBed
Speaking of banning less harmful alternatives, and the reference the SF attorney used, Puff-N-Stuff Glantz thinks it’s a smart move. He also explains the FDA “exercised what is called enforcement discretion”.
Is access to public data an unreasonable request? What will the complete data reveal? Are snippets of data the best way to inform the public? If the full spectrum of the data is withheld, what is real, what is contrived?
“If you repeat a lieoften enough, it becomes the truth.”
The problem with research misconduct must be of epidemic proportions. So much so, the Department of Health and Human Services has its own division defining such misconduct called the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), and a definition of said misconduct.
“Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.”
“Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record.”
It would seem all data would be required to have a clear picture of the information being displayed presented to make an informed case, decision, or outcome. The authority in charge has no business writing or promoting a narrative, when data can and shall speak for itself.
Instead, snippets become headlines, and headlines create the story narrative.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth“
In the case of e-cigarettes, and the latest “data” on youth use, it is to present manipulate the claim of an ‘epidemic’ in order to willfully threaten legal adult choices, using snippets of data designed to “fit a narrative” as my friend, U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Jerome Adams has done, and has accused.
It’s backward. Snippets (subliminal or not) can sell ideas. Create campaigns. Change public opinion.
Mining for data can be useful. Depending on the criteria, displaying data to ones liking is misleading. Similar to Stanton Glantz below, that is propaganda.
Skewed data is…well, you can make anything look like you want it to look for your own purposes. I think I am afraid of both films Nicolas Cage appears in, and pools. Why? I’m not sure what I’m afraid of, Nicolas Cage isn’t his real name, but looking at data tells me I should… Oh never mind.
In this blog, I will attempt to demonstrate two things. First, the following tweets and subtweets can be confusing. Second, if I can post things in here properly and explain, you won’t be confused. Either way, they are snippets, and you’ll probably be confused.
It started with (well, not really, I’m using my interpretation of the data) a question to the highest “ranking” Medical Doctor from Mike Peterson:
@Surgeon_General , sir, you replied to @vapingit that "some independent vape shops have an equally high violation rate." Would you supply the data for this claim, as the @US_FDA data set does not support this same suggestion.
In this tweet, the Surgeon General clearlyseems to has “doubts” that Mike “really wanted this information”. Surgeon General Adams must not look away from his snippets accomplishments on his “I love me” wall and must be suspicious of anyone questioning his integrity my snippet. Shame on you, Mike!
Oh, I think Mike wanted the information. That’s alright, Dr. Adams. You don’t require my assurance adults are looking harder than you are for any detrimental outcomes of any facet of e-cigarettes.
It’s not as if we’re a large and growing community of consumers including Doctors like yourself, Lawyers, Teachers, Nurses, Statisticians, Scientists, Cooks, Truck Drivers, and other professionals, along with lovers of data and science. And math. In fact, one of us is a… nope… my narrative, so further down the data hole you go.
I’ll insert a quick snippet from my personal life. The words from a Neurologist to my wife was:
“We’re setting up testing for onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.”
Is that a snippet of a much greater assessment? Can you discern from the quote she, in fact, has Alzheimer’s or dementia? Do you have enough data to make the determination? You really don’t know. I’m saving it for a different blog.
Note the words ” in the interest of correcting misunderstandings”. Misunderstandings are snippets, Dr. Adams. Vape shops aren’t included in “this” analysis is correct, by stating “equally high violation rate”, you overstepped your ego, data, or knowledge, position narrative.
I know I said I wasn’t going to comment but in the interest of correcting misunderstandings, this looked at retail chains. Most all vape shops are independent, so they aren’t included in this analysis- but fact is some independent vape shops have an equally high violation rate.
He’s right. Snippet. The statement just above was “they aren’t included in this analysis” and “shops have an equally high violation rate“, and refers to this graphic he posted below:
I proudly show you my snippet! Go ahead, click on it, it’ll enlarge.
Because he was prompted by – anyone’s comments – and saw my amateur hour cut/paste of his just above, below he explains how narrative and roles to play suddenly are important. His data went from “equally high violation rate” to some vape shops. Also, he displays his knack of interacting with the public quite… well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusions. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
“It’s easy to cut & paste snippets”…because the whole picture isn’t a narrative, I just couldn’t let that one go. If data and information is explained properly, there is no need for “snippets”. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
Here, I’m not sure if he’s being condescending on purpose, or if he just doesn’t know he’s tweeting to a known impugner. I am also an uneducated “backwardsbackwoodsman from one of the colonies.” (Thanks, Alan, I knew that would come in handy eventually! ) Oh, go on, there’s something I was determined to take out of context. Damn me. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
To further reiterate his position snippet, he grabs some more data from his cuff and explains some gibberish about technical stuff I probably wouldn’t understand anyway… something about this does look like a high ranking public health official explaining a snippet narrative, maybe it’s just me. We’ve gone from … well, this data thing just isn’t my forte’.
Well, Mike (he’s mentioned above), and Jake got data. In fact, they mined the data. Turns out twenty-one money penalties were assessed. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
To “That Damned Ninga, he agrees. Vape shops are “doing much better”… he also wants everyone else to agree. I often forget I’m constantly asked to agree with something because it will fit a narrative. I wonder what happens when the public just nods their head in agreement when a public official says to. Couldn’t be all bad, I suppose. Either way, he wants everyone to agree. By golly, I’m almost going to agr…. nope. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
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Trusting the highest doctor in the land to provide competent, well-constructed answers to convey issues with facts, when he, in fact, won’t do it seems futile. Instead, he has chosen to act on authority, instinct, and sticks to the data (dammit) script.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
Then, addressing (you and me) the public as if we’re a bunch of nine-year-olds is pretty – well, idiotic. Starting at about the time I could talk, I’ve questioned authority and integrity a long time. Pre-loaded answers come with loaded questions where I come from – the backwoods of one of the original colonies.
In fact, I’ll use your “It’s easy to cut & paste snippets” own sarcastic words against you, Dr. Adams. Also, I have repeatedly asked for data. So much so, it’s redundant, repetitive and repeats itself. It should, could, may, might or even would, speak for itself.
The reason I keep asking the same questions over and over?
Dr. Adams own words:
In the meantime, if you’re approaching a city, township, county, or state hearing about sales to minors, or that vape shops are contributing to the delinquency of minors, I highly suggest these two graphics to use at your disposal, just as the Heart, Lung, Cancer, and other healthorganizations will. Let them sort it out with facts, not preconceivednotions and media sound bitessnippets (dammit) data.
Here’s the chart from Jake Jacobsen: According to data, if you click on it, it’ll get bigger!
Here is the chart alone from Mike Peterson: Yep, click:
Bring your nose a bit closer to the screen – at a second glance, this is what you may have missed: Wait, back up, just click!
The overall narrative is to put big scary numbers out, fueling the fire of an epidemic. I (we, vapers paying attention) want the truth. I don’t for one minute think any of us want anything less, good or bad. We’re adults, we can take the snippets data.
When looking at inspections just above, there is no “epidemic”, and the fact is, in 2018:
There were 146,376 inspections.
There were 17,456 total violations
Of 17,456 violations, 2,060 were “ends and e-liquid.
Of those violations, 229 were vape shops. (Vape shops: STOP that.)
Things that make you go hmmmm…..
And Juul? If you believe their “epidemic” data, Vuse was the front runner of underage sales violations at 1,729… so, they should have at least tried harder at purchasing Juul to complete the narrative.
Silly data makers. Go ahead, scroll back up if you need to. I’ll wait.
Sounds as if you’re still confused. I apologize for torturing you, but I feed a mouse cheese just to do my math for me.
This an enforcement issue all the way around. Underage sales at vape shops are NOT a contributing factor to an epidemic, which is still a snippet of the overall message portrayed. Kids stealing from their parents like they did cigarettes? Probably. Straw purchases? Likely.
Illegal sales – meeting the “definition” of an ‘epidemic’? Doubtful.
Snippet alert:
Found in my previous “Nod In Agreement” blog here.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
On to the “epidemic”.
If, after reading this blog, you are still confused, I will conclude, from snippets, and so shall you, that confusion is intentional. The snippet below is a confusing mess, by design. The bottom right tweet on his personal account, in a “non-official” capacity, was just a few days before he announced as Surgeon General there indeed “is” an epidemic. I hope we can all agree, the data is in the contrived details. Go ahead, click on it, it’ll get bigger!
“Morals are standards set by those who want their standards met by others.”
I don’t want situational ethics, nor do I want morals and feelings mixed into the narrative. Here is what I want. I want the law to be obeyed. I want parents to be aware, not act on “reefer madness” type propaganda, and ultimately, parents to parent.
Specifically, I want the data to speak for itself. Both for adults looking for a safer alternative to smoking, and the narrative of an “epidemic” to be scrutinized, specifically when a public HEALTH official is threatening adult choices for less harmful products – unless we agree with his narrative. Jim McDonald says it best.
We won't tell smokers that vaping is safer until a few vapers on Twitter admit that a large increase in occasional use constitutes an epidemic of addiction.
No kidding, that's exactly what he's saying. It's a threat, and it's not appropriate for a public health official. https://t.co/5k0IMDiSmr
Unless you suffer from cognitive dissonance, I want the data as it stands, not as it fits my narrative “out of context” with some silly twitter snippets, Dr. Adams. I don’t want to hear about plausible deniability. I don’t want proof by assertion. Confirmation bias is unnecessary.
I want the public to be aware of the best information available rather than striking panic in the streets.
So, what’s the snippet? What’s the truth? Still confused? So are adults looking for answers to a less harmful alternative.
“If you repeat a lie often enough, it becomes the truth.”
I am a consumer, while I try to be a voice for consumers, I don’t speak for “all” consumers. I have a higher standard for medical and government officials. The Surgeon General of the United States (or any public official) should not rely on “googlesearches” (in a personal or public capacity) to fill a narrative.
In my assessment, Dr. Adams should post facts. Period.
Snippet Alert!
The Surgeon General should resign or be fired. Immediately. That’s my narrative. That’s my snippet.
With that, no high ranking publicemployee official has no business writing, or tweeting, or sharing an opinion, or narrative, when data shall speak for itself.
I’ll stick to my guns, check on my wife, and keep my #SGWatch up to see when comprehensive information to adults has been displayed with half the attention the ‘epidemic’ has received.
I’ll readily and publicly admit I’m wrong, but until that happens, Dr. Adams has to answer these questions concerning the ‘epidemic’:
What users were of legal age?
What users didn’t use nicotine?
How many were smoking & switched?
Why is marijuana included with “any vaping“?
Why is “use” defined as in the past thirty days, not daily?
Until that happens, I’ll keep pointing out discrepancies in the narrative of an alleged epidemic, or one of you can convince me why I shouldn’t.
For balance, after the release of and tagging him in this blog: (Coincidence? Doesn’t matter. Snippets.)
Important study, with important caveats: 1) This was done in UK (diff legal/ regulatory environment) in motivated quitters who presented to clinic & 2) trial accompanied meds with behavioral support -> so was Cadillac scenario 3) OK for adults DOESNT mean ecigs are safe for kids.
Oh, that’s right, I’ve got that screenshot snippet from a Dr. Girgis… wait a second… it’s… Yes, legal and regulatory environments. That’s right. No guidelines. Except when.
Snippet alert: showing “restraint”.
I highly recommend what Clive Bates has to say on the alleged U.S. “epidemic“.
THIS one is an eye-openingmust-read for ANY aspect of public health. Your opinions aren’t about your needs. Stop being nannies.
“The average American is like my patient: resentful toward those who tell him or her how to live.”
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
You Don’t Know Nicotine ~ The great American youth vaping epidemic. Really? ~ The FDA hearing that wasn’t ~ The Impact of E-Cigarette Warnings ~ Burning Sub-Ohm ~ Bucking Bad Legislation in the Buckeye State ~ Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions (U.S.A.) 2009 – 2016 ~ A Meme
You Don’t Know Nicotine
Aaron Biebert, Director of A Billion Lives, announced his new project during his visit in Oklahoma City at Vapers Carnivale:
If you’re interested, you can pitch in as little as $5.00 or much more, with levels and rewards being different, up to and including the “Tater Tot” level!
You can find my interview via THR4Life with Aaron here.
The great American youth vaping epidemic. Really?
With the lack of being a professional statistician or researcher, I did my improvisational best covering the Surgeon General’s affirmation of the U.S. teen ‘epidemic’. I questioned the absence of daily data and babbled about it as I do.
Here, Clive Bates, someone I admire, explains what I could not, well beyond my expectations.
Speaking of curing children, and a fraudulent epidemic, the FDA took it upon itself to hold a public hearing on the youth vaping “epidemic”. Instead of a balanced conversation between harm reduction proponents and anti-tobacco activists, the hearing became a one-sided stage for fanatics.
Next up… contrived epidemic. Our friend Chris just below explains the “epidemic” was a plot (graphic below found here) to start with from this tweet in November of last year.
I’m not sure what to call this study. Note it was submitted on the 21st of September 2018. In the theme of warnings, something the ‘epidemic’ was based on, this short paper shows an “online experiment” and ‘“brain” and “chemicals” warnings’ were higher discouraging youth from e-cigarettes.
Paul puts common sense down so even I can understand it. I don’t sub-ohm. I’m certainly no mathematician, but I do understand researchers must have fire extinguishers ready at all times.
Electronic Cigarette Fires and Explosions (U.S.A.) 2009 – 2016
“Reports of 195 separate e-cigarette fire and explosion incidents in the U.S. were found, dating from January 2009 to Dec 31, 2016. In 68 percent of these incidents, 133 acute injuries were reported. No deaths were reported during the study period.”
Over the course of time, I’ve made my share of amateur graphics, “memes”. In the spirit and need for ALL of us to change the conversation, I asked Chris Hughes if I could use his photos for this blog in 2016, and again below.
Thanks to you who’ve shared it. It seems to have hit a nerve.
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
POLL ~ Trying to quit smoking? ~ FDA: FOIA Response #3 ~ Smoke Shaming Has Gone Too Far ~ Vaping: Let’s Get This Out Of The Way ~ Kimberly and Little Chute ban vaping devices for minors ~ Smoking Kills, Vaping Doesn’t ~ Quit Smoking: Keep Trying ~ Intolerable False Statements by FDA’s Mitch Zeller ~ Dr. Gottlieb: A New Threat ~ Epidemic from Surgeon General is Fraud ~ THR4Life
POLL time!
This poll (created by me) will take less than 15 seconds. Comments are welcome and sharing is encouraged among your friends, family, cat, dog… you get the idea. Thank you!
Trying to quit smoking?
This suggests higher levels of nicotine may help. Fine, read it again, I’ll wait.
“Evidence then emerged that nicotine on its own, outside of tobacco products, has limited addictive potential and that higher doses are safe and well tolerated.”
“Despite this, stop-smoking medications have maintained lower nicotine levels in their products.”
Repeat customers are the best customers. They’ve been lying for years.
With preconceived and one-sided battles across the U.S.A., what myths are still hanging over e-cigarettes? What misinformation is damaging? What do – vapers – know?
We MUST change public perception. We’re almost out of time.
James Jarvis breaks it down in a Facebook post and inspired this blog from me us.
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Not necessarily a ‘new threat”, the decision seems – decided. If you recall last summer, almost 70,000 comments were submitted about flavors? While we haven’t heard a word about those (to my knowledge), now the FDA “will issue within a month the guidance implementing the policy steps…” Um, what? Huh.
These comments seem to string the public along for what looks like the inevitable.
“…puts the entire opportunity at risk for adult smokers.”
“if these trends don’t reverse sharply and rapidly, I fear the consensus supporting these products for adults will disappear.”
#FDA will issue within a month the guidance implementing the policy steps we announced in November to limit youth access and appeal of these products. But if these trends don’t reverse sharply and rapidly, I fear the consensus supporting these products for adults will disappear.
Leighton Broadcasting announced THR4Life as one of the non-profit winners nominated for their (2nd annual) “2018 Gratitude Campaign”. Each winner will receive “21 radio advertisements per week for 13 consecutive weeks.”
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Ex-Smokers Who Vape: Smoking Lapses and Relapse ~ Open Access Farsalinos ~ Blocked Bates Blasts Back ~ Comparison of Nicotine and Toxicant Exposure Cherry🍒🍒🍒picking from Dr. Gottlieb: ~ American Cancer Society: Gary Reedy ~ Did Ray Liotta really quit smoking with Chantix? ~ Killer Ads ~ The Science of Vaping
Ex-Smokers Who Vape: Smoking Lapses and Relapse
“For those of us who listen to ex-smokers who now vape, this story is very familiar: “I quit by accident.” No other smoking cessation option elicits this response from ex-smokers.”
This paragraph vividlyexplains the scream test from tobacco control experts:
A noticeable difference between vape research conducted by independent sources (and that from the tobacco industry) is that it tends to be accessible by everybody. The majority of papers produced by tobacco control are inevitably locked away behind a paywall, restricting public access and scrutiny.
This blog is sponsored by LUNAR ROVER|Premium eLiquid. They not only produce cocktail and fruit flavors, they also have a range of tobacco flavors ranging from 0-18 strength.
Here’s a great deal from Lunar Rover!
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Did Ray Liotta really quit smoking with Chantix?
Caveat emptor. Social media footprints. Credibility.
He puts his spin on the article, I ask silly questions.
Are there any concerns for individual-level health risks — as well as the population-level impact with patches, gums and other 'approved' methods when smokers relapse an average of 30 times and show 93% failure rates for decades? https://t.co/A8B6Vkz9F7
“Meaning Use of e-cigarettes appears to be associated with exposure to known tobacco-related toxicants, but the exposure is reduced compared with cigarette smoking.”
Brent Stafford of Regulator Watch sits with Mark Anton of the Smoke-Free Alternatives Trade Association (SFATA) “and calls FDA’s anti-vaping rhetoric ‘reprehensible’………
Touted as “The science of vaping,”, NIDA’s Director Dr. Nora Volkow and tobacco expert Dr. Heather Kimmel join moderator Dr. Emily Einstein for a Facebook Live on what science tells us about vaping.
I suggest you take a nap instead of viewing this, as the script was predictable – there was no expertise, and the science was absent.
It ended abruptly about 31 minutes in, but if you enjoy double-talk, bullshit and feel the need to punish yourself, it is here.
Fund The Lawsuit
I’ve been watching this intently. If you’re able, please donate.
Vaping In The News covers media stories on smoking, vaping, snus, heat not burn, e-cigarettes, exposing tobacco control, public health, government, regulations, policies and more worldwide.
“The largest threat to Public Health is an informed consumer.”
Vaping is Tobacco Control ~ “Epidemic?” A Perspective of Youth Vaping & Tobacco Use Trends ~ Dear Family and Friends ~ Research Looking into Media Coverage of E-Cigarette News ~ Studying Flavours ~ Speaking of Control ~ JUUL and other stealth vaporisers ~ Teens smoking less is unacceptable ~ FDA launches new, comprehensive campaign to warn kids ~ Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb ~ Keep Smoking We Need The Money
Vaping is Tobacco Control
Tony Ottomanelli II has explained this and you shall understand it.
Dear Family, Friends, Parents, Educators and Medical Professionals
This one’s from me. I consider you all intelligent and capable of thinking for yourselves. I’m telling all my friends, now I implore you to tell all your friends, relatives, neighbors, enemies, pets…
There’s no “first-hand” control over the data/science/research and “they” don’t like it. They have to replicate it rather than fluffing it up to “their” standard. They’ve lost control and narrative of any & all findings for the first time on a very large scale.
Is it difficult for professional researchers to decipher independent research – from other colleagues – because of where it's from? It cannot be regarded?
Wait, what? I thought regulations were established, there was no more research needed…they’re giving away more money…
“to continue to investigate the influence of flavors and sweeteners, and other constituents, on the appeal and addictive potential of traditional tobacco products and newer products like e-cigarettes.”
Dear Family, Friends, Parents, Educators and Medical Professionals:
I consider you all intelligent and capable of thinking for yourselves. Each of you have the power of many that I cannot have alone. I consider the depth and importance you hold with your personal and professional lives. I also consider that YOU have a responsibility, response, and an ability – with the vast outreach you have – to make a difference. I’m going with the theory that we’re all only within “six degrees of separation”.
I understand in order to ask for support, you need facts.
Years ago, Dad had a motto for his business. “Know for a fact”. I’ve adopted that for this very personal message. I hope to briefly educate and enlighten you in the following few minutes of your our lives.
Pardon The Intrusion
I do not like my family and friends being misinformedlied to.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has made what I normally kick, scream and rant about on my Twitter account, my other Facebook page, and here on my blog, much, MUCH more personal. It’s about informed public consumer choices. It’s about rights. It is about you.
“When tobacco use decreases, less smoking occurs.”
Those Damn Kids
Are you a parent? I’ll let you decide if trusted “non-profit” groups like “Tobacco-Free Kids” (created by Johnson & Johnson, makers of smoking “cessation” products and then secretly negotiated with tobacco giant Philip Morris) are marketing cigarettes and e-cigarettes to children here. Or trustworthy. (I’ll wait.)
Remember when the public health community and media claimed e-cigarettes were a “gateway” TO smoking? Huh.
Think about the statement Dr. Gottlieb has made about “marketing to children”. Are you able to exercise your parenting skills? Dr. Scott Gottlieb of the FDA doesn’t think so. Like cigarettes, the law states anyone underage (18 or 21) cannot purchase these NON-tobacco products legally.
What you aren’t being told is these restrictions could lead teenagers back to smoking. The FDA wants to convince the world (whether they smoke or not) using rhetoric, proof by assertion, pseudoscience sound bytes and the ever-popular “Think of the children™ that e-cigarettes are “just as dangerous” as smoking. They’re not. While I’ll try not to bore you, there is data, science and research (and links within this blog). There is no doubt.
Pfizer, maker of the “FDA Approved” drug Chantix (once black-boxed due to thousands of attempted and over 500 suicides ) was given to “adolescents” in the United States ages 12-16. They failed.
The struggle is real
Why aren’t “approved” nicotine patches and gums being passed out to teens like candy? I’m saying, and I’ll keep saying it: “If “children” are already smoking, they’re smokers regardless of age.” I’ll direct you to Shiela Vakharia’s statement below.
Unpopular opinion: I am totally fine with vaping among teens. Nicotine is a performance-enhancer (like caffeine in many ways) and the fewer teens smoking cigarettes, the better for public health. They are practicing #harmreduction.
If you’re a smoker, I’m not telling you to stop smoking. (Smokers can go here.) Because vaping businesses are no longer allowed to tell you, I’m telling you e-cigarettes are a safer, healthier, smoke-free choice. It is an alternative for smokers who want to quit. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m telling you the FDA is trying to take away a choice that has worked for millions. A choice that works. This choice is being threatened.
I was told “stop smoking” since I was old enough to get caught smoking! I was told it was “nicotine“. It’s not. Have you ever caught a child stealing nicotine patches to feed their “addiction”?
It wasn’t so easy. “Government approved” patches and gums didn’t work for me, but I didn’t know why. I never thought to ask about the 93% failure rates. I was told it was willpower. It’s not. I was told I wasn’t trying hard enough. I wasn’t, but I didn’t know smokers average 30 attempts before they quit. I was told a lot of things. I’ve been lied to before, but not to this grand scale. They call it a sin tax. They’re addicted to taxing smokers.
I didn’t realize the discrimination and hatred against smokers is completely perpetuated by money. To call the anti-smoking movement “brainwashing” is an understatement. It is professional bullying. I didn’t realize it was a billion dollar industry – funded BY smoking. If this scale of hate was directed at any other group, there would be riots in the streets. Leave smokers alone.
Can you imagine
FDA will always promote science based decision making…”
~Dr. Scott Gottlieb
Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort experienced by a person who simultaneously holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values.
Here’s Dr. Gottlieb and his sidekick Mitch “Zippy” Zeller – of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration exerting their arrogance mental “cognitive dissonance” disorder.
In the process of regulation, restrictions, taxes and bans, Dr. Gottlieb is going to encumber 10 Million smokers, and millions more who may choose to purchase them as an alternative to smoking based on “attitudes, beliefs and intentions“.
The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration…. what?
Dr. GottLIEb feels the need to use the word “convincingly”.
I’ve got another word: Manipulation.
Added November 8th, 2018:
So much for an “epidemic” via the retail sector.
“During this past summer, 96.7% of the retailers passed FDA-sponsored compliance checks by not selling an e-cigarette to an underage youth.”
As a “professional smoker” for about 35 years, I found, by accident, an amazing product. An e-cigarette. Within 48 hours, it worked. It also worked for Janice. It has worked for some of you reading this, my family and friends. Sometimes it doesn’t. One son (23) does both and the other (20) still chooses to smoke.
For a while… I walked around happy I wasn’t smoking. My cough – a constant companion most of my life, had abandoned me in about a week. I was breathing better and felt better. I thought – well, it can’t be worse than smoking. I was both uncaring and blind to the issues and the controversy surrounding “e-cigarettes”. On the news, as you’ve all seen, I saw (a) report of “dangers” and I thought, no, you bastards – you are lying. You’re not telling the whole story.
On a cold winter night, I found David Goerlitz’ blog. He is the “Former Winston man”. In his blog, he explains the corruption from ANTI-tobacco groups (Body Parts™ groups – Heart, Lung, Cancer Associations) he WORKED for. These “non-profits” are funded by smoking. David FIRED me UP.
I read anything and everything. I started a blog. I joined Twitter. (Turns out, scientists, researchers and experts who don’t lie are real and on Twitter.) I joined Facebook groups to learn more.
Dave fired me up. At that point, I was on a mission to change the world. Without knowing better – within days – on December 17th, 2014 – I created a survey to show what others like me already knew to show YOU and others – our experiences… 7,238 people took it around the world. Around the world. Proudly, It’s been used and quoted in a few places. My mission for that survey was to tell other smokers there is another option. A place they could read about what others doing it – said. Reducing or eliminating asthma medications, lower blood pressure – and much, much more.
I found quickly – the experts, media, and (no surprise) government do not care about the truth. They don’t care about facts. Wait. They care about manipulating the facts. I don’t like you not knowing for a fact.
“The Real Cost”
Fear is a lack of knowledge. Knowledge is power.
The Food and Drug Administration will be spending money placing propaganda in your minds called “The Real Cost“. They” want to regulate, restrict, tax and ban a choice by using “children” as a ploy.
Here’s where you come in. I’d like you to consider how you can help, and it won’t cost you a dime. I’m asking you to stand up. Raise your hand. Question those in authority. Engage. If you have doubts, questions, concerns, thoughts… ask me. If you have friends, colleagues, associates, family, medical professionals… direct them to me. If I do not know the answer, I’ll ask someone else.
Please consider a *free* membership by joining the consumer group CASAA.
They released this comprehensive explanation today:
“We believe that even if youth use were increasing, it is still a public health benefit – provided that use of smoking products continues to fall.”
It isn’t just me. Oliver Kershaw also explains it here:
“Treating the symptom, not the cause – is never an effective outcome.”
You are my friends and family. I wouldn’t want you thinking funding is the root of the created opioid epidemic, either.
Turns out, in my mission to change the world, the world has changed me.
Each of you have the power of many that I cannot have alone. I consider you all intelligent and able to think for yourselves, and I thank you for your time.
This, from Diane Caruana – goes right along with what I said above.
