CASAA’s May 2016 Newsletter is coming soon, but, we wanted to make sure our members had some important information and engagement opportunities at their fingertips while we work out the finishing touches.
Here’s what you need to know for Thursday, May 19th, 2016:
A real petition that needs your participation:
Del. Larry Faircloth (R-WV) has proven himself as a valuable and effective advocate for vapor products in West Virginia. Now, in the wake of the FDA deeming regulations, he is taking his talent and legislative experience to lawmakers in D.C.
Please take action NOW by signing Del. Faircloth’s petition — which will be hand delivered to specific lawmakers — and support his effort to stand up to the FDA’s overreaching and disastrous regulations on vapor products.
Take Action – Sign the Petition
Survey – Centre for Substance Use Research
Last month, we alerted members to a survey produced by Dr. Christopher Russell, Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Substance Use Research. The information gathered will help present to regulators, academics, and medical professionals a more accurate picture about how people are using vapor products and contribute to the conversation about how vaping can benefit public health. Dr. Russell is still collecting data and hopes to make this the largest survey of its kind — the more data the better!
Take Action – Complete the Survey
Change the predicate date for vapor products!
This week, CASAA updated our engagement in support of a change to the predicate date for products newly deemed to be tobacco by the FDA. We have made a slight adjustment to the letter we are asking members to send lawmakers to include support for both HR 2058 and the Cole-Bishop amendment. Please see our updated post here for more details. If you have not already taken action on this issue, please take a moment today to send a message to your lawmakers urging them to update the predicate date for vapor products.
Take Action – Send an Email
Update on the Deeming Regulations
Since the FDA deeming regulations were published for public inspection on May 5th, we’ve been reviewing multiple legislative and legal challenges to the rules. CASAA has joined with other groups in a coalition to explore all of these options as well as PR strategies. We are committed to combining our efforts to fight this battle on multiple fronts. This is an intensive process and, given the high stakes, we are thoroughly considering all viable pathways to challenging the FDA’s deeming regulations.
We are all aware of the desire for quick and decisive action in this matter. However, one hasty decision or poorly worded statement can create problems down the line. It is vital that any action is fully considered before being executed. A well-crafted and focused effort has the best chance for success. It is time to act with purpose, not react emotionally.
Some Good News
On Wednesday, May 18th, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf raising concerns about the agency’s recent e-cigarette regulation, which could create undue burdens on small businesses and lead to negative unintended health consequences. We will continue to update you as this effort progresses. You can view the letter here.
If you are on Twitter, please also take a moment to retweet Sen. Johnson’s message to the FDA. Feel free to ask the @US_FDA and @FDAtobacco to respond in your own words — politely — and use the hashtag #AnswerRonJohnson
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