I’ve driven to Toronto.
I’ve driven to Montreal.
I thought I was going to drive to this until I looked at the drive time.
Who knew Canada was so big!  🙂

I’m heading to EDMONTON CANADA this weekend with my pink pal Dimitris.  Hope to see you there!!

Click the banner for more information!

SUPPORT COLE-BISHOP!

Even if you’ve reached out to your lawmakers in the past, we need you to do it again. We have received word that the Cole-Bishop amendment is being seriously considered for inclusion in the FY2017 US budget.

But, this is not a guarantee. There are strong forces working against anything that might be perceived as a “Republican rider” in the budget bill. Even though Cole-Bishop is a bipartisan effort in support of what should be a bipartisan issue, the effort to modernize the predicate date for vapor products has been stripped out of the budget before.

We need your help to keep Cole-Bishop in the budget bill!

Please take a moment to call your representative and senators:

Sen. Charles Schumer (D)  – (202) 224-6542

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)  – (202) 224-4451

Rep. Louise Slaughter (D)  – (518) 455-2909

Points to discuss on your call:

• Urge them to support the Cole-Bishop language in the 2017 US budget bill
• If the predicate date for vapor products is not modernized, nearly all vapor products will be wiped off the market in 2018. Many businesses will start closing down this year.
• The FDA will still have the authority to regulate vapor products and common sense regulations like no sales or marketing to minors will remain unchanged.
• If you have time, briefly, tell your story about how vaping has helped you.

When you’re finished with your call, visit www.august8th.org and send an email.

Please share this URL with everyone. EVERYONE!

Thank you,

CASAA Legislative Team

…and we need your help to get vapor taxes and a place ban removed!

In case you haven’t heard, the NY Legislature failed to pass the state’s budget on time. In a statement released last night, Governor Cuomo has said he will give lawmakers and staff an extension through the weekend to work on finalizing the budget. This means that people will be at their desks in Albany this weekend answering phones and checking emails!

Please take a moment this weekend to make a call and send an email to

Sen. Joseph Robach (R)

(518) 455-2909

Asm. Peter Lawrence (R)

(518) 455-4664

Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D)

(518) 474-8390

 

Points to discuss on your call:

• Urge them to remove language about vapor products from the budget
  1. Remove the tax on vapor.
  2. Remove the indoor use ban on vaping.

• Tell them that extra taxes on vapor products would deny thousands in New York access to life-saving vapor products.
  1. A 40% wholesale tax in Pennsylvania has closed over 100 businesses and will fall short of raising the projected revenue.

• Briefly, tell your story.

When you’re finished with your call, follow up with an email

Take Action – Send a Message

________________________

Thank you,

CASAA Legislative Team

Congratulations to Kenny!!  He knew that “Dimitri Pink” device was a Sigelei and won himself an Innokin Prize Pack in a recent “Not A” Contest!  Happy Happy my friend!

FROM THE TRENCHES: VTA WEEKLY UPDATE

This week has been another exciting week for VTA. VTA’s ranks continue to grow as an additional association has joined our membership! In addition, we are asking all state associations to be vigilant as budget bills are being filed, and several include burdensome taxes on vapor products.

THE FEDERAL FRONT

WE NEED YOU TO TAKE A MINUTE AND ADD THE NAME OF YOUR COMPANY TO THE INDUSTRY LETTER ASKING HHS SECRETARY TOM PRICE TO SAVE VAPOR!
As you may know, President Trump’s Administration has made rolling back burdensome federal regulations a cornerstone of its agenda. Limiting the harsh impact of the Deeming Regulation must be addressed now.

Please take a moment today and lend your business’ name to a letter urging HHS Secretary Price to delay full implementation of the FDA deeming regulation, which is the first necessary step in the larger effort to reform the way the FDA regulates the vapor industry.

EVERY VAPE SHOP SHOULD BE SIGNED ONTO THIS LETTER!

Join VTA’s Next Webinar on Marketing
In our continuing effort to inform and educate retailers and manufacturers on important regulatory issues, we are pleased to announce the next installment of 
VTA’s Compliance Webinar Series:

Marketing: Real Guidance for Navigating
 FDA
and State Laws 
on the Marketing and Sale of ENDS Products

Presented by

Chris Howard
Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer
E-Alternative Solutions, Inc.

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017
1:00 p.m. (eastern) / 12:00 p.m. (central) / 10:00 a.m. (pacific)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail
 containing information about joining the webinar.

VTA Asks All Vape Shops to Promote CASAA Call to Action.
This week, VTA asked all vape shops in its rapidly expanding network of 20+ state vapor associations to provide their customers an opportunity to write to HHS Secretary Tom Price asking for relief from the Deeming Regulation. We distributed campaign instructions, an in-store flyer, and the consumer letter drafted by CASAA. This will give your customers a great opportunity to engage and tell their personal stories to Secretary Price while asking for relief. Please make sure that all of your shops, and every other shop owner that you know, is joining in. If you don’t have the campaign information already, contact your state vapor association leader or e-mail info@vaportechnology.org and put CASAA CAMPAIGN in the subject line and we’ll get you the materials right away.

VTA Welcomes New Retail Board Member Stacey Hamilton!
This week, Vapor Technology Association Executive Director Tony Abboud announced that Stacey Hamilton, owner of Kaleidoscope Vapor and President of the Breathe Easier Alliance of Alabama (BEAA), is joining VTA as the organization’s newest board member.

Hamilton on joining VTA’s board: “My passion for advocating for the vapor industry is guided by fifteen years as a trauma and cardiovascular Computed Tomography Technologist where I witnessed firsthand the devastating medical impact of long-term smoking. Given my experience, I share VTA’s deep commitment to ensuring that vape shops remain the primary place for consumers to gather and access their life-changing products. I have been repeatedly impressed by how VTA thoughtfully and professionally addresses the many challenges our industry faces – especially at the retail level. I am thrilled to join VTA’s accomplished leadership team as we fight the FDA’s dangerous deeming regulation.” Click here to read the full press release.

TPSAC meeting in Silver Spring, MD – April 6, 2017
On April 6, 2017, FDA will present information to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee(TPSAC) on the processes used in review of tobacco product applications, including premarket tobacco, substantial equivalence, and modified risk tobacco product applications. Topics will include the statutory standards applicable to the different types of applications, the scientific basis for review decisions, with a focus on PMTA and MRTPA, and the role of the Committee in the review process. Click here for more information.

Seating for this meeting may be limited, so the public is encouraged to watch the free webcast instead of traveling to the meeting. The link for the webcast will be available approximately 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting each day. Click here to access the webcast.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

The Vapor Technology Association has been working tirelessly to protect the vapor industry over the last week. There are several issues and bills affecting the vapor industry noted below. There are also several outreach efforts by state associations to educate and inform state legislators about the vapor industry. Please contact us if you would like to be involved in these outreach and education efforts and we will connect you to your respective state association.

California Proposition 56 Implementation Update
The California Board of Equalization issued its initial discussion paper on the implementation of Proposition 56. This document is currently under review by VTA and California Smoke Free Organization (CSFO) and we will be providing guidance on it in the coming days. While this is only the initial discussion paper, not a final implementation of Proposition 56, we would like to thank CSFO for their efforts in educating the Board of Equalization. It is clear from the initial discussion paper that several of the recommendations CSFO made to the Board of Equalization were heard.  There is more work to be done on the proposition implementation and in the legislature. If you are in California, and not currently a member of CSFO, join by clicking here.

Montana Fighting 74% Wholesale Tax
The Montana vaping industry continues to fight a 74% wholesale tax that would decimate Montana businesses. Over the last week, you have stepped up and have delivered more than 5,000 emails to the Montana Senate members and the Governor. However, due to a procedural maneuver, the bill has been moved to the Senate Floor and may be heard in the Montana House next week. Watch for more calls to action and continue to stand up for Montana businesses and consumers.

Nevada Under Attack
The Nevada Vaping Association needs your assistance and help. AB 269 was introduced last week which would impose a 5 cent per milliliter tax on vapor products. The bill was held in committee, but this will not be the last effort to advance the bill. In addition, this week AB 450 was introduced which would add vapor products to the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act! Click here to contact the Nevada Vaping Association and get involved.

Ohio Vapor Trade Association Leading the Fight Against 69% Wholesale Tax
The Ohio Vapor Trade Association is facing a 69% wholesale tax. The OHVTA will be setting up meetings with several legislators in the next couple of weeks to educate legislators and fight the tax. Click here to join OHVTA and join the fight!

GET SOCIAL / STAY CONNECTED

Get involved and save vapor!
We are on the right path, but in order to be successful, we present a unified front. This is why VTA wants YOU to get involved. Call your state legislator. Write your congressman. Because if we do not make our voices heard, the powerful interests that are working to defeat us will prevail.

To learn more about how to get involved in the fight to save vapor, visit www.vaportechnology.org and www.SaveVapor.org.

Please take a moment and forward this email to anyone you know will be interested in what’s going on and encourage them to sign up for our mailing list at www.vaportechnology.org or www.SaveVapor.org.

And, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for all you do to defend our industry!

Tony Abboud
Executive Director
Vapor Technology Association

Thank you

I am not expecting a response as you probably get a ton of emails. Yet if this email
happens to reach you I just wanted to say thank you!

I am a 30 year old Canadian from northern Ontario. I was a pack, sometimes pack and
a half per day smoker for 14 years. Coming from Greek decent all of my family
smokes :(. Two years ago I was introduced to vapping while on YouTube and stumbled
across your channel.

I went out and purchased my first e cig. Kang e vod. It worked for about 3 weeks
then fell back into the death trap of smoking as at that point our town did not have
a vape shop.

Today after 6 attempts to stay in the vapping wagon. thanks to your videos and the
new vape shop I am now 1 and a half years in without ever touching a cigarette. I
have 2 young boys and thanks to your videos keeping me informed I can stay healthy
for myself and my family.

I thank you for all your advocacy and keep up the great website and YouTube channel.

Your Canadian friend

Emmanuel

A PBusardo Review – The EHPRO Mod 101 + (Not A) Contests

In this video, we do some clarification & some follow-up, talk about a liquid line, review the EHPRO Mod 101, announce the last (not a) contest winner, and kick off a new one!

The Links:
Battery Mooch Information Mentioned In The Video
VonVape
Joshua Unger/VonVape Information Mentioned In The Video
EHPRO
Vape Sourcing

The Post Review Follow-up:

• 3/29/17 – The information came in at 4AM.  The device shuts itself off after 30 minutes.  This is why it didn’t bother me as much as with mods that shut off around the 5 minute mark.
• 3/29/17 – In the video I said the device works with an 18450 or 18500.  First, for that 18450 I meant to say 18490… surprised no one caught that yet.  Second, SupaDr00g commented that those batteries would not work so I took a closer look with two batteries I had on hand:

The AW-IMR 18490 did not work.  The threading on the larger tube section was not deep enough to allow the battery cap to tighten enough to make contact.  The BestFire 18500 did work.  They are both button top batteries.  Keep that in mind should you want to use the device in “18500” mode:

AW-IMR ≈ 49.2mm
BestFire ≈ 50.7mm

BTW – Never measure battery length with metal calipers.  😉

The Video:

*NOTE: Any use of these videos in part or in their entirety without Phil Busardo’s expressed written consent is strictly prohibited.

The Photos:

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YOU’RE INVITED!  JOIN US!!

In our continuing effort to inform and educate retailers and manufacturers on important regulatory issues, we are pleased to announce the next installment of
VTA’s Compliance Webinar Series:

Marketing: Real Guidance for Navigating
FDA and State Laws
on the Marketing and Sale of ENDS Products

Presented by:

Chris Howard

Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Compliance Officer

E-Alternative Solutions, Inc.

DATE/TIME:

MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017
1:00 p.m. (eastern) / 12:00 p.m. (central) / 10:00 a.m. (pacific)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

After registering, you will receive a confirmation e-mail
containing information about joining the webinar.

Webinar Summary: Marketing and promoting e-vapor products continues to get more complicated. The FDA has included specific requirements in the Deeming Regulation, and states and localities have not shown any hint of slowing down with respect to the implementation of their own rules and regulations. Topics to be covered include rules for marketing ENDS products set forth in the Deeming Rule, recent guidance issued by FDA regarding permissible forms of promotion and the prohibition of distributing free samples of ENDS products, and best practices for managing variability of federal, state and local laws.

Here’s the latest from Brent Stafford at Regulator Watch:

Woven into Canada’s draft federal vaping regulations is a contradiction, which could undermine every aspect of the legislation. If Bill S-5 is enacted ‘as is’ no person in Canada whether a vaper, retailer, e-liquid manufacture or doctor, lawyer and member of government could compare vaping to smoking in anyway, let alone state that vaping is less harmful than smoking.

Contravening the ‘no health claims and ‘no comparisons’ sections of Bill S-5 would be a criminal offense. But according to one of Britain’s top smoking cessation experts the real crime is that Canada’s federal vaping regulations would result in the death of thousands of smokers, if they receive the wrong message about vaping.

In this episode of RegWatch meet Louise Ross, the Stop Smoking Service Manager for Leicester City Council in England and learn how extraordinarily “vaping friendly” the UK really is—only on RegWatch by RegulatorWatch.com.

RegulatorWatch.com – March 28, 2017.

WEB EXTRA:

Debunking Bad Press | Web Extra

When junk science is appealing it inevitably leads to a deluge of mainstream media coverage. A favorite target proves to be vaping. How to combat it?

In this RegWatch Web Extra hear from Louise Ross, the Stop Smoking Service Manager for Leicester City Council in England and learn how her Stop Smoking Service fights bad science in the news—only on RegWatch by RegulatorWatch.com.

RegulatorWatch.com – March 28, 2017.