Right To Vape

I'm one of those list makers.  If you're not one, I'm sure you know one.  We're the kind that has trouble organizing and prioritizing without a list.  If I don't have a list, I feel overwhelmed with the hundreds of things I have to do, and I consequently have trouble doing much of anything.  And as I sit there feeling overwhelmed and accomplishing nothing, I begin to feel worse and worse about all the things I'm not doing.

But with a list, I feel in control.  Just the mere act of writing down what it is that I want to accomplish takes me one step closer to actually doing it.  Best yet is when I'm actually able to mark something off the list.  Even if there are 50 items on the list, the marking off of a single item makes me feel empowered and in control.

My typical to do list is usually mundane things like what I need to pick up at the grocery store, emails I need to respond to, phone calls I need to return, and the seemingly endless errands that I run. 

But now I'm started a new to do list, the one for my PV activism.  Rather than post it all at once (and it is constantly evolving), I figured that maybe it might be fun to keep a to do list here at RtV and add an item every day or so (or maybe three--it is the holidays, after all). 

My friends here should feel free to add their thoughts and share their ideas for the to do list. 

1.  Contact New Jersey legislators re S3053 which would prohibit vaping anywhere where smoking is not permitted.  It comes up for vote tomorrow, Thursday, December 10th.

http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/nj-state-senate-vote-please-write-now!/

2. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

3. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

Excellent suggestions, Taz.  I think once a week, I'll compile all the suggestions and repost the entire To Do List. 

I especially like #2.  You're right . . . not every email is right for every organization and every situation.  I think I'm going to create several form emails that can be customized easily. 

Julie it was your great Idea to began with and updating the list every few days will keep it from dropping down to the bottom.

Well, I guess we can mark No. 1 off the list . . . it's going for a vote today, so hopefully the letters, emails, and phone calls from vapers across the U.S. had some effect.  So off the list for that one, but I'm adding a new one . . .

I know most folks don't take the time to write comments to various news articles.  Personally, though, I think it's a good idea.  First, I don't like to have bad information just stand there without any correction.  Second, I think the authors of the articles do read the comments, and perhaps people providing honest feedback may encourage the authors to do more in depth, better researched articles.  And third, I think there are some people who learn about PVs for the first time reading an article, and if they read the comments, it may provide them enough incentive to explore the whole idea of vaping a bit more.

The Washington Post article is one that people really ought to take a moment to respond to.  The author flat-out asks:  "What's your opinion of e-cigarettes? Have you tried them? Do they seem safe to you?"

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My current list:

1. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

2. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

3. Write a response to the Washington Post article at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/12/is_that_right_e-cigarettes_are.html?wprss=checkup

Julie I am adding to my list:

4. Make a list of products we use everyday and medications that have PG in them. The list is to send to people that think PG is bad.

I have started the list and it is long al ready:

I like this idea a lot

Time to update our list:

1. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

2. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

3. Write a response to the Washington Post article at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/12/is_that_right_e-cigarettes_are.html?wprss=checkup

4. Make a list of products we use everyday and medications that have PG in them. The list is to send to people that think PG is bad.  http://www.righttovape.com/health-and-science/propylene-glycol-what-we-know/

5.  Write to Virginia Department of Health because it is improperly interpreting Virginia's laws.


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Below is a letter written by Vocalek (ECF and CASAA), and I'm sharing it here with Vocaltek's blessing.  I think this letter is just about perfect--short enough that it might actually get read but covers the main points with clarity and accuracy:

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To: gary.hagy[at]vdh.virginia.gov
Cc: davealbo[at]aol.com; district37[at]senate.virginia.gov

It would appear that the Virginia Department of Health is working to prevent smoking cessation.


Thousands of Americans have quit smoking for good by substituting vaporized nicotine from an electronic cigarette for the smoke that comes out of tobacco cigarettes. You can read the comments of more than 13,000 people at the Electronic Cigarette Petition site. [1]


Some recurring themes: "I tried to quit many times in many ways." "I feel much better and my blood pressure has gone down." "As a former smoker I cannot help but express pure joy over the e-cigarette." "I can run now and swim without a coughing fit."

A survey of e-cigarette users conducted several months ago by the University of Alberta showed that 79% have completely stopped smoking tobacco. [2] An ongoing survery that has been responded to by over 1200 users to date puts the total cessation rate at 81%. [3] In contrast, the FDA-approved nicotine "replacement" products have a 10% success rate.

We now have a product that is 800% more effective than the recommended treatments. We have an opportunity to take advantage of the existing bans on real smoke to convert a sizeable number of smokers from real cigarettes to this 99% safer product. [4]

By implementing an unauthorized, illegitimate ban on indoor use of e-cigarettes, the Virginia Department of Health is squandering an unprecedented public health opportunity. If continuing smokers have the opportunity to see electronic cigarettes used in public, thousands more Virginians will become curious, give it a try, and 80% of them will stop inhaling tobacco smoke.

The Virginia General Assembly did not authorize VDH to ban electronic cigarettes. The law is quite clear:

"Smoke" or "smoking" means the carrying or holding of any lighted pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind, or any other lighted smoking equipment, or the lighting, inhaling, or exhaling of smoke from a pipe, cigar, or cigarette of any kind

The purpose of the legislation is to protect indoor air quality. Electronic cigarettes do not present a threat to clean indoor air. They are not set on fire ("lighted"). They do not emit smoke. The small amount of vapor exhaled by users is harmless to bystanders. [5]

By requiring electronic cigarette users to move into smoking-only areas or be outside with other smokers, you are not doing anything to protect Virginia citizens, as they were never in any danger in the first place. In fact, you are placing former smokers who are e-cigarette users directly into the path of the smoke that they are trying to get away from.

The Virginia Department of Public Health needs to correct the information on http://www.vdh.state.va.us/breatheeasy/faqs.htm to state that electronic cigarettes are not included in the law as written by the Virginia General Assembly. Taking this corrective action will save the lives and health of thousands of Virginia citizens. [6]


<my name, address & phone>


References:
1. Electronic Cigarette Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/kee...ttes-available
2. University of Alberta survey: http://www.tobaccoharmreduction.org/wpapers/011v1.pdf
3. E-cig Success Rate survey: E-Cig Success Rate?
4. Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones The Rest of the Story: Tobacco News Analysis and Commentary: Comparison of Carcinogen Levels Shows that Electronic Cigarettes are Much Safer Than Conventional Ones
5. Safety of exhaled e-cigarette vapor, Health New Zealand: http://www.healthnz.co.nz/ECigsExhaledSmoke.htm
6. Sumner, W (2003), Estimating the health consequences of replacing cigarettes with nicotine inhalers. Tobacco Control 2003;12;124-132 http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsacd/cd26/tc/v12n2/124.pdf

The is an excellent letter and I like the form the letter is in. We should make our letters on our to list similar to this. It shows a person that know what they are talking about, not just someones ideas.

Vocaltek's letter is an excellent guide for letters because we need to give these people real information since they can't seem to find any except what is in the media to base the passing of laws on.

 It appears if it is not in the media it didn't happen. NO PICTURES require.

An excellent letter to use!
I hope many will go to the trouble to send snail-mail too, as it does seem to make a difference.

1. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

2. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

3. Write a response to the Washington Post article at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/12/is_that_right_e-cigarettes_are.html?wprss=checkup

4. Make a list of products we use everyday and medications that have PG in them. The list is to send to people that think PG is bad.  http://www.righttovape.com/health-and-science/propylene-glycol-what-we-know/

5.  Write to Virginia Department of Health because it is improperly interpreting Virginia's laws.  (See form letter earlier in this thread.)

6.  If you haven't already done so, take the time to make a comment on the tobacco regulations.  This is an important one, folks.  The original deadline was September 29th, but it was extended until December 28th.  PLEASE take the time to make your feelings known.  The link to the site is http://www.regulations.gov.  Also, see these two threads for more information:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/fda-taking-public-comments-on-tobacco-regulation/  and http://www.righttovape.com/consumer-affairs/fda-requesting-comments-on-tobacco-control-act/

Julie , that is getting to be a nice list, I have some of them done, but some or incomplete.

Thus far, my activist list has consisted of letter writing, posts, and emails.  Well, today I'm adding something onto my list that doesn't involve writing at all.  And truthfully, it's just about the easiest thing you can do to help further the cause . . . vape openly in public.

It seems to me that one of the biggest problems we have is one of public perception.  Most people haven't heard of e-cigs/PVs, let alone seen one.  And if they have heard about e-cigs/PVs, probably what they've heard is negative press from the mainstream media that has blindly repeated the skewed FDA release.  Every time we vape in public, we ought to be viewing it as an opportunity to present our PVs in a positive light.

I'm not suggesting we fog up a non-smoking area  , but I am suggesting that we not hide what we're doing.   No huge plumes of vapor, but maybe a few wispies.     Print out and carry with you a couple of business cards regarding vaping.  I carry some of these with me:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/vaping-cards/msg15274/#new  Because I print them myself, the back is blank, and that lets me jot down a bit more information--maybe my email address or perhaps another vaping website.

If you are challenged or questioned, I would suggest that the best course of action would be to respond calmly and politely.  "Oh, I'm sorry.  I can see how this might be confusing.  But actually, I'm not smoking . . . " and then explain what it is that you are doing.  And hand them a card.     Or if you're so inclined, print out a couple of these flyers and have them on hand to share with people who express an interest:  http://www.vapersclub.com/vapersclubdotcompamphlet.pdf

My personal feeling is that if you have a PV that looks very cigarette-like (you know . . . white battery and brown filter or orange LED light at the end) you ought to explain upfront to management about your PV.  Devices that look like cigarettes can provoke confusion, concern, and anger, so we should do what we can to avoid or alleviate those negative reactions by explaining beforehand.

So my updated to do list:


1. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

2. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

3. Write a response to the Washington Post article at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/12/is_that_right_e-cigarettes_are.html?wprss=checkup

4. Make a list of products we use every day and medications that have PG in them. The list is to send to people who think PG is bad.  http://www.righttovape.com/health-and-science/propylene-glycol-what-we-know/

5.  Write to Virginia Department of Health because it is improperly interpreting Virginia's laws.  (See form letter earlier in this thread.)

6.  If you haven't already done so, take the time to make a comment on the tobacco regulations.  This is an important one, folks.  The original deadline was September 29th, but it was extended until December 28th.  PLEASE take the time to make your feelings known.  The link to the site is http://www.regulations.gov.  Also, see these two threads for more information:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/fda-taking-public-comments-on-tobacco-regulation/  and http://www.righttovape.com/consumer-affairs/fda-requesting-comments-on-tobacco-control-act/

7.  Vape respectfully in public and be open and willing to share information with people.  I will carry a business-sized card with me to share information with those who might be interested:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/vaping-cards/msg15274/#new  I will also carry a few flyers with me to give helpful information about vaping:  http://www.vapersclub.com/vapersclubdotcompamphlet.pdf

Julie, you list is getting better and better.

Because our numbers are still relatively modest (although they're growing every day), it's hard for each of us to stay on top of every issue that requires action.  Accordingly, I was very excited to see that Vapers Club has set up a system to collect email addresses of vapers based upon states of residence here in the U.S.  I sent an email to VapersClub@aol.com  with my state in the subject line so that I can be added to a data base.  That way when issues crop up where I might be able to help, I'll receive an email.  Since I live in Missouri but am also close to Illinois, I put both states in the subject line.  I'm adding it to the Activist To Do List because I think it's a great way to become more involved.  Plus, the list won't be sold or used for financial gain, so I know that when I get an email from this source, it's something important. 

1. Prepare a packet of e-mails that are ready to go for the next call for action. It take less time to send if I  have several letters prepared ahead of time. One email letter may not be right for one group, I will  make several.

2. Find a way to send snail mail to officials in other states. They don't much care to read stuff from people that can't vote.

3. Write a response to the Washington Post article at http://voices.washingtonpost.com/checkup/2009/12/is_that_right_e-cigarettes_are.html?wprss=checkup

4. Make a list of products we use every day and medications that have PG in them. The list is to send to people who think PG is bad.  http://www.righttovape.com/health-and-science/propylene-glycol-what-we-know/

5.  Write to Virginia Department of Health because it is improperly interpreting Virginia's laws.  (See form letter earlier in this thread.)

6.  If you haven't already done so, take the time to make a comment on the tobacco regulations.  This is an important one, folks.  The original deadline was September 29th, but it was extended until December 28th.  PLEASE take the time to make your feelings known.  The link to the site is http://www.regulations.gov.  Also, see these two threads for more information:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/fda-taking-public-comments-on-tobacco-regulation/  and http://www.righttovape.com/consumer-affairs/fda-requesting-comments-on-tobacco-control-act/

7.  Vape respectfully in public and be open and willing to share information with people.  I will carry a business-sized card with me to share information with those who might be interested:  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/vaping-cards/msg15274/#new  I will also carry a few flyers with me to give helpful information about vaping:  http://www.vapersclub.com/vapersclubdotcompamphlet.pdf

8.  Send an email to VapersClub@aol.com with my state in the subject line so that my email address can be added to a data base.  When issues come up that affect me or where I might be able to have an impact, Vapers Club will contact me.  http://www.righttovape.com/right-to-vape-activism/what-can-you-do-to-protect-your-right-to-vape/