The ‘Stop the Vape Ban’ coalition kicks off

Vapers are being urged by tobacco harm reduction experts and activists, to have their say, and be part of this latest alliance which is attempting to save vaping.

Diane Caruana

March 20, 2017

Professor of Medicine, and endowed chair of tobacco harm reduction research at the University of Louisville, Brad Rodu, and executive director of SFATA Pamela Gorman, are urging vapers to be part of the Stop the Vape Ban Coalition. This campaign was formed by six pro-vaping groups amongst which SFATA, AVA and NACS, with the aim of supporting the FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017, bipartisan legislation (H.R. 1136) which was put forward on February 16, 2017 by Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and would counteract the FDA’s deeming regulations.

Suggesting fairer regulations

The aim of this campaign is to educate the public about the fact that these FDA regulations will keep damaging an already fragile industry and will lead to “a virtual ban on vaping products”. The Coalition suggests a sensible and fairer regulatory strategy, as opposed to the one currently in place which treats the harm reduction products worse than cigarettes and is forcing the small vape shops out of business.

“Vapor products offer a promising path for harm reduction for those seeking to quit or limit their smoking. This legislation would ensure the FDA’s regulatory process does not limit the availability of safer tobacco options for those seeking to make use of them.”Representative Sanford Bishop

Representative Tom Cole said, “This legislation preserves the FDA’s ability to regulate these products on par with cigarettes, grandfathers currently available products and then requires the FDA’s approval before any new product is introduced.”

Representative Sanford Bishop added, “Vapor products offer a promising path for harm reduction for those seeking to quit or limit their smoking. This legislation would ensure the FDA’s regulatory process does not limit the availability of safer tobacco options for those seeking to make use of them.”

The opportunity to speak directly to policy makers

Senior vice president of government relations at NACS (National Association of Convenience Store), Lyle Beckwith, explained that this initiative provides an avenue for adult e-cigarette retailers and consumers to speak directly to lawmakers. “We support sensible regulations proposed by Representatives Cole and Bishop rather than more burdensome and costly regulations that will inevitably lead to a virtual ban on vaping products.”