Author: pbusardo
ATTENTION NYC VAPERS!! – Vaping Civil Disobedience Protest in Central Park
Although I’m not a fan of the title of this, I wanted to pass it along…
Russ Wishtart of Click Bang Radio is planning a Vape-In for Saturday to protest the Bloomberg vaping ban in NYC. I would imagine the more of you who show up, the louder, clearer, and better the statement will be.
For all the information click HERE!
THE DEADLIEST VIDEO – MATT BRADLEY, SKY VAPOR & THE NORTHWESTERN
A PBusardo Video – Matt Bradley, Sky Vapor & The Northwestern
Being a long time fan of the Deadliest Catch, this was an exciting one for me folks.
In this video we meet Matt Bradley… a former FOUR PACK A DAY cigarette smoker turned vaper, a partner along with Scott Lowther in Sky Vapor, and a crew member on board the Northwestern in Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch.
We talk to Matt, get a look at the Vapemeet, and wrap it up with some stories and a tour of the Northwestern. Jake Anderson makes an appearance as well.
Thanks to Matt, Angela, Scott, Dawnel, the rest of the team at Sky Vapor and everyone who came out for the event! We had an amazing time!
Sorry about the poor lighting, sound, and fish-eye lens in some of the shots. Hey, I ain’t no Discovery Channel!
The Links:
Sky-Vapor
Mark Bugs
Cosmic Fog
Azure Vaping
Simply Design Studios
The Video:
The Photos:
MY COMMENTS TO THE FDA…
These are the comments I left at Regulations.gov regarding the proposed FDA regulations. You can leave your comments HERE. I strongly suggest you do the same…
My name is Phil Busardo. I was a pack a day smoker. More on the weekends. I went through a few different brands including Salem Ultra Lights and most recently Marlboro Lights. I started when I was around 17. As I write this, I’m 45 & married
I was able to successfully quit once for nearly a year, until my Grandmother (Nana) passed away and went right back to it.
I tried the patches, gums, and Chantix. The only thing they were successful at was robbing me of my hard earned money
I started doing research on electronic cigarettes after hearing about them on the web. Research began around March of 2009. I researched both devices and the risk reduction of electronic cigarettes. I purchased several different el cheapo models to see if I could make the switch. I thought the sensation was pretty good and decided that I would try.
After doing even more research, I decided to go with an original 510 manual. I went cold turkey on July 7th, 2009. I have been a happy vaper and have not had single analog (real) cigarette since. Not one for 4 years, 9 months, 29 days at the time of this email. It works.
Months after I started vaping, I noticed a few things. First, EVERYTHING tasted better! In my case, not necessarily a good thing :-). So my sense of taste along with my sense of smell improved. Second, I didn’t become winded as quickly as before. I could work in the yard or around the house without gasping for air. Finally, after a night out of heavy smoking, that first deep breath of the morning would hurt. I think many of you current and/or ex-smokers know what I’m talking about. Since vaping, NO MORE!! I could take that first deep breath of the day without any pain.
Since I’ve been vaping I also take far less sick days and don’t get nearly the number of upper respiratory tract and chest infections that I used to.
When I first started, I used an 18mg nic level. I’m now down to a 12mg with plans to go lower.
In the beginning, the only thing I wanted to vape was a liquid that reminded me of a Marlboro Light. Now, it’s the last thing I want. I enjoy fruity and bakery type flavors. Somehow my taste buds have survived my adolescence and I continue to enjoy different flavors. The wide variety that are available keep me interested, happy, and stop me from going back to cigarettes. Preventing the flavors will only drive people back to cigarettes.
The only ones who are marketing electronic cigarettes to children are YOU and the MEDIA because you keep bringing it up with no evidence based on reality that it’s being done. You assume it’s being done due to the flavors, however… ADULTS LIKE FLAVORS TOO. As seen by the numerous flavored alcoholic products currently on the market. Are those being marketed to children as well?
Regarding the safety of e-liquids and children… I’ve seen the reports, I’ve read the articles. A teaspoon of e-liquid could harm a child. So could a t-spoon of rat poison or lemon scented bleach. Best bet is to take some responsibility and keep them out of reach of children as we should do with any substance that can be dangerous to a child. This is common sense and responsibility. Something we are lacking as a society. We love the word “blame” we hate the word “responsibility”. Do NOT punish the majority for the stupidity of the minority.
Vaping is the first viable solution to the health risk of cigarette smoke. Prove to me and to many fellow Americans that you’re interested in our health and well being and NOT greed and money. Do the research required to fully understand that vaping is not our enemy, it is our salvation. Do the research on the many studies that have been done that prove vaping is a safer alternative to cigarettes with no concerns from second hand exposure. Do the research required to make an educated decision and not one based on hearsay or conjecture. A small sample of that research can be found here:
http://www.tasteyourjuice.com/wordpress/is-it-safe/
Testing must continue. If there are problems, FIX them, however DO NOT put obstacles, road blocks, and financial burdens in the way of the one thing that has been successful for so many people… Vaping.
It is creating jobs.
It is putting money into our economy.
It is potentially saving peoples’ lives.
It works on so many levels.
Don’t take it away. Don’t make it hard for us. Don’t make it expensive for us.Thank you for taking the time to read and understand this. Please restore my faith in our government which has been lacking of late.
I thought it curious that when I published this, I received the following:
Your comment will be viewable on Regulations.gov after the agency has reviewed it, which may be an indefinite amount of time. Use your tracking number to find out the status of your comment.
My guess is, that’s the same amount of time that will be required to get a new item through the FDA for the proposed approval process.
From Gonçalo
Dear Mr Busardo,
I am now a proud owner of an iTaste SVD VV/VW device!
I am taking this short time and e-mail to present some complaints, some cursing and a recommendation towards your person.
My complaints:
– Are NONE!
Cursing:
– You, good Sir, are a funny S.O.B. (no offense meant) which has the most informative and complete (enlightening also) reviews. all of us in my kinda small vapers group (about 25ppl) take you in a serious manner when it comes to product acquirement!
Recomendations:
– Please, please keep up the good work!
Now that this is done I’d like to thank you in a more serious way. you’ll probably go through the previous e-mails and see what I’m talking about but I decided to buy the SVD instead of the vamo v5 for the looks and since my sweet spot is around 9 to 10W i’m really happy.
My SVD has the correct button placement and screen orientation as well as the fire button bug fixed!
(well, it’s over a year since the review… would be odd if that was still the case)
Hope u don’t take the cursing too seriously 😀
thks again!
Best regards!Gonçalo
From Jesse
Hey Phil,
I wanted to thank you for all of your time, money, and effort expenditure in
providing us all with consistently great information. I am a Ph.D. neuroscience
student and work at a vape shop part-time. Your videos have given me an opportunity
to guide hundreds of people (including my principal investigator) away from tobacco.
Although I’m sure many devices you’re asked to review are becoming exceedingly
redundant (see: mech mods), please know that you are quite literally changing lives.
The view counts on your videos represent a very small drop in the ocean. On behalf
of those you have directly or indirectly helped, including myself, I want to extend
my sincerest gratitude. Keep up the brilliant work.Regards,
– Jesse
From Chris
Just wanted to say that I am sorry I missed you out here at Sky Vapor last
night… thought it was next weekend and realized only after working a 14 hour
shift. Regardless I wanted to say thank you. 13 months Cigarette free and almost 3
months now nicotine free… not sure I could have done it without your help. Rocking
the VAMO V2 with the Kanger Aerotank, making some sweet clouds with Deadly Sin from
Good Life Vapor.
From Lynn
Hi, My son wants me to contact you with my story. I smoked 17 years. For
about a year I suffered lung infections at least once a month. They were bad
infections. My 3 doctors warned against quitting smoking as I also have problems
with nerves. The pills for that would have far worse side effects. I found vaping
after my daughter prodded me to try once again. I did. That was 6 moths ago and I
report that my doctor is happy I can use a safe thing like Nicotine instead of far
worse drugs for my nerves and a delivery system without the harmful effects of
smoking. My doctor is now recommending Vaping to people in my position…My nerves
have gotten better so it may be the cigarettes that didn’t help that.
From Paul & Heather
Hey Phil! Just had to tell you how much I enjoy watching your videos. My
wife and I quit smoking last October. I was smoking 2 packs a day and my wife
almost 1 pack. I’m 43 and couldn’t believe how poorly I felt. We have 4 kids and
it was getting to the point Weber it seemed to be a lot of work to play and have fun
with them. Not to mention going ooze to smoke and when we travel we’d have to stop
for some breaks. My wife uncle quit smoking and started vaping with the help of
Mister E liquid. I looked into this whole vaping thing and we’ll here we are loving
every minute of it! Like I said I have learned so much from you about vaping. I
purchased a kayfun lite + and a Stingray by JD Tech that I love. I love the
flavor! My wife has a VTR with the iclear 30s and some cartos. Deadly Sin is the
bomb! Thank you so much for all you do for the vaping community. I hope to one day
shake your hand and say thanks man. P.S. Happy birthday!
Happy Vaping, Paul and Heather
TIME TO ACT!
TIME TO ACT!
CASAA has issued a press release regarding the FDA proposed rules. It has been issued through PR Newswire, posted on their blog and (if you are on their email lists) you will soon receive a copy via email.
They need our help to get this press release picked up by news outlets! (Just releasing it through a service – even a good one – doesn’t mean it will get picked up by the major news outlets.)
Here is what you can do to help:
- Forward the email to your local newspaper editors and news station producers.
- Post the press release link on the Facebook pages of local and national newspapers and networks (but please do not spam if you see it’s already been posted, just comment on the existing link that you’d like to see it reported.)
- Tweet the link to the press release to local and national newspapers and networks.
- Post a link to the press release on your Facebook timeline and in vaping groups for them to share.
For those of you chomping at the bit to “do something now,” here is your chance! There will be more calls to action as this unfolds. The email can be found below…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its long-awaited draft regulations for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other low-risk alternatives to smoking. The regulations offer little benefit, according to The Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASAA), the leading advocate for the current and future consumers of low-risk alternatives to smoking. However, CASAA believes that should the FDA finalize the rule in its current form, it will inflict devastating harm on consumers.
“This is a classic case of government imposing a ‘solution’ and then looking for a problem,” said CASAA President Julie Woessner, J.D. “The regulations do nothing to address real concerns, and instead are a slow-motion ban of the high quality e-cigarettes that have helped so many smokers quit. The rules would mostly require busy-work filings that impose huge costs with little apparent benefit.”
The proposed regulations are based on a faulty understanding of the science, reports CASAA Scientific Director, Dr. Carl V. Phillips. “FDA has cherry-picked the available evidence,” says Phillips, “blindly accepting any assertion that favors aggressive regulation and ignoring the overwhelming evidence about the harms that these regulations would cause.”
Although the regulations do not openly ban the refillable devices that are preferred by experienced users, they impose a costly registration and approval process that would effectively eliminate them. Such registrations offer minimal benefits, but ensure that only a few large companies who mass-produce small and disposable products would be able to afford the necessary filings. Additionally, while the regulations do not immediately ban the variety of popular flavors for e-cigarette liquid, they signal an intention to do so in the future.
“Our research and others’ shows that higher-quality hardware and appealing flavors are important for smoking cessation,” says Phillips. “Many former smokers report that they were always tempted to go back to smoking while using the smaller devices with imitation tobacco flavoring, but they quit smoking for good when they found better hardware and flavors that no longer reminded them of smoking.”
It is estimated that as many as a million American smokers have quit or substantially reduced their smoking thanks to e-cigarettes, and many are already making plans for a black market if these regulations take effect. Those smokers who are using e-cigarettes in a transition stage could easily return to smoking–and future potential switchers may never be able to make the transition–if the restrictions on high-quality products are imposed. Woessner, who quit smoking thanks to e-cigarettes, fears such impacts. “If I had been limited to only those products that would exist under this regulation, I would probably still be smoking.”
CASAA is preparing a response that will point out the flaws in the proposed regulations and is organizing its members and hundreds of thousand of other e-cigarette users in an attempt to persuade FDA about the harms this regulation would cause. Should that fail, it plans to fight the regulations in court.
CASAA is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, public health, membership NGO. It does not represent the interests of industry. Donations are not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
Contact: Carl V Phillips, CASAA Scientific Director, 651-503-6746, cphillips@casaa.org.
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