The Consumer Advocate for Smoke-free Alternatives Association (CASSA) has issued a request concerning the FDA’s proposed amendment that would allow them to regulate vapor products. At first glance, the request reads more like a halt on action, but if you read it all the way through, you soon come to understand that there is no better plan. Other agencies, like the Cigar Association of America are taking similar steps as well. The current request is that consumers wait to comment and instead, respond to each Call to Action as it is issued.
The request is an overview of the plan that CASAA will follow in response to the FDA’s call for comments from the public. The public has 75 days to read the proposal, analyze it, and respond to it. Since the proposal itself is 241 pages long and the regulatory impact analysis is another 81 pages long, 75 days does not seem like enough time to gain a full understanding of the proposal. Just one element of the proposal is that the FDA gets to determine what does and does not fall under the umbrella term (which isn’t an umbrella term at all) “tobacco”. By most definitions tobacco seems like a very straightforward category, but the FDA doesn’t agree. Keep in mind this is just one element of the proposal. There will be many others that we all need to respond to.
CASAA’s request is that consumers simply wait and follow the multiple Calls to Action as they release them. This would provide a very organized and effective means by which vapers can combat the FDA proposal. Current analysis of the proposal reveals that most of it offers nothing to the consumer other than a higher cost. Unlike the FDA, CASAA is looking out for the needs of the consumer and specifically the needs of those who either enjoy vaping or understand that it is a better alternative than smoking.
First Call to Action
The first Call to Action suggests that consumers request an extension on the comment period itself. This gives consumers time to read and understand the proposal so that they can address one or more of the various elements of the proposal when they do make a comment. Part of the reason for the extension is the large amount of requests for information from the FDA – 99 to be exact if you don’t count repeats and cigar-only related questions. CASAA offers a sample request as well as detailed information on how to submit your request to the FDA right on their website. This is the first in a series of Calls to Action that CASAA will release.
How You Can Help
CASAA will be updating their blog when a new Call to Action is ready. You can respond to the calls yourself, but there are a lot more things you can do to help the cause as well. Keep in mind that the main goal of CASAA is to promote consumers rights, but also to spread awareness and knowledge so that the right to use vapor products is not trampled and this alternative can continue to help people enjoy a better quality of life everywhere. There is a lot of misinformation about vaping out there and CASAA aims to offer fact based information to combat the falsities.
1.)Take advantage of free membership to CASAA.
2.)Help spread awareness by sharing blog posts and information about CASAA on social networks.
3.)Share your own story through the Testimonial Project on CASAA. Let the world know how e-cigarettes have changed your life.
4.)Create a summary of your experience to use with a Call to Action in the future.
5.)Share information with vendors and ask them to add CASAA graphics to their sites, offer brochures to their customers, and take advantage of vendor kits that can help spread awareness. Keep in mind that many vendors may not realize the impact the FDA’s proposal will have on them. Talk with them about the way changes in tobacco regulation has already impacted their business.
6.)Share, share, share! Whether you are sharing emails or blog posts, keep the information moving!
Be sure to check back here or on CASAA’s site for more information on how you can help.