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Points to include in your emails, phone calls, and spoken comments:
Briefly, share your story about switching to vaping and what role that flavors played in helping you switch.
Note any health changes you’ve experienced.
Briefly, discuss what losing access to local vape shops will mean for you (Will you shop out-of-state, in neighboring cities, or online? Will you make your own e-liquid at home or purchase products on an underground market?).
Additional talking points for testimony and emails are available here.
Talking points regarding reports of lung injuries:
The outbreak of lung injuries being linked broadly to “vaping” is occurring in people who are using black market THC cartridges. 10% - 16% of patients who are not reporting using THC cartridges are likely withholding information due to fear of persecution for buying, possessing, and using illegal products.
This outbreak is yet another example of America’s failed war on drugs and highlights the urgent need for drug policy reform.
The sudden onset of lung injuries in a broad range of patients points to this being the result of exposure to a new chemical rather than a consequence of long-term use.
Legitimate e-liquid manufacturer’s are registered with the FDA and are following compliance deadlines such as registering their products, submitting ingredient lists, and making their facilities available for inspection.
If any company changes their formulation, the FDA can immediately take enforcement action and require the “new product” to go through the market authorization process (PMTA).
DO NOT BUY BLACK MARKET THC CARTS. DO NOT BUY THEM OFF OF TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM OR FROM THE BACK OF A VAN. DO NOT BUY BLACK MARKET THC CARTS.
Sample Message you can copy/paste into your email:
(Please include your personal story about switching to vaping)
I am writing as a voter and taxpayer in San Diego County urging you to resist calls from well-meaning but misinformed activists to enact policies that would ban flavored, smoke-free alternatives to combustible tobacco. A productive path forward must include adequate representation from all stakeholders - especially nicotine consumers.
Legitimate, regulated businesses play a vital role in ensuring that consumers have legal access to well-made products and keeping adult products out of the hands of young people. If these products are pushed into an underground market--where there is no oversight or motivation to comply with sales age restrictions--purchasing and consuming nicotine will be unnecessarily dangerous.
The recent outbreak of lung illnesses being broadly attributed to "vaping" by the CDC is a direct result of overbearing drug policy that encourages products to be made and sold by an underground, unregulated industry. Pushing currently legal nicotine products into such an environment might have similar results--including puting all consumers at greater risk.
I along with my fellow members of Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA) thank you for considering my comments on this issue. Please keep me informed of developments in this matter. I look forward to your response on this issue and I am available for any questions you might have.
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