FDA Loses in Federal Court to Regulate Electronic Cigarettes
Article by Steve Olson
In case you hadn?t heard, recently the FDA lost their appeal in Federal court to ban electronic cigarettes. This incredibly important US court ruling in favor of the electronic cigarette signified a major victory for this marvelous new technology. At the heart of the matter was a lawsuit filed against the FDA that basically asserted the FDA did not have the authority to regulate the electronic cigarette as an alternative to smoking. The FDA was claiming that the product fell under their jurisdiction as a drug delivery device. When that decision did not go in favor of the FDA, they immediately filed an appeal. Even better news! On December 7th, a three judge panel upheld the prior court?s decision in favor of the electronic cigarette. The FDA lost again. We are reminded what one of the electronic cigarette companies has been saying: ?You just can?t burry a 10,000 pound elephant in the backyard. Everyone is going to see the mound. You can?t keep this new technology down, especially with millions successful users and supporters of this amazing device.
The only path for the FDA now is to the Supreme Court. But, there is already precedence there and most think the Supreme Court would refuse to even hear the case if it were presented. Many of our companies quit during this ?battle? with the FDA, but some companies, like inLife, LLC kept growing. They are now the largest distributor of electronic cigarettes in the US and Canada.
For those of you still not familiar with the electronic cigarette, here?s a quick analysis.
Smoking Takes Lives
Everyone knows that smoking cigarettes is very bad for you. Each year more than 500,000 people die from smoking related illnesses. It kills more Americans than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, automobile accidents, fires, and AIDS combine. Victims die on the average of more than 20 years before the life expectancy of non-smokers. In fact, somewhere in the world, a smoker dies of a smoking related illness every 8 seconds.
So, how about this? There are 4,000 chemicals in a cigarette; at least 63 of them are known carcinogens (causes cancer in humans). Here?s just a few:
? Benzene (petrol additive) ? gives cigarettes a nice easy burn.? Formaldehyde (embalming fluid) ? helps with cigarette shelf life.? Ammonia ? Increase the pH of the smoke and turns some of the nicotine solid into a gas and gives the nicotine a better ?kick?.? Acetone (paint remover) ? strips away the lining of your mouth & throat so the nicotine can be absorbed easier.? Tar ? that black, nasty stuff that sticks in your lungs.? Carbon Monoxide ? forms anytime you burn something.? Arsenic (rat poison) ? still used today to kill the worms in the tobacco fields? Hydrogen Cyanide -(stuff used in gas chambers)
Smokers Rights Are Being Taken Away
There are bans against smoking all over the country, and they?re increasing at an amazing rate. Businesses, public buildings, beaches, and public transportation are just a few. Smoking has even been banned by some cities in apartment buildings (yes, inside your own home) and in your own back yard.
The Cost of Smoking Continues to Increase
The cost of smoking is increasing every month. These are tough economic times for State and City governments, and raising taxes on cigarettes is an easy target. Did you know that the cost for a 2-pack a day smoker in New York is over ,000 a year?Most smokers don?t know how much they spend each year because they buy cigarettes a couple packs or one carton at a time. Here?s the current [cost of cigarettes by State] so you can do your own calculations.
FACT: 90% of Smokers That Try Can?t Quit
What if you?ve tried everything, and just can?t quit. [90% of smokers that have tried to stop can?t]. That doesn?t make them bad or weak. My sister smoked for 47 years and tried everything, but just couldn?t kick the habit.
Logical Alternative
What if you could take your pack of cigarettes and:
? Remove all the chemicals and carcinogens from your cigarettes?? What if I could give you back your rights to smoke everywhere?? What if I could cut your cost of smoking by up to 80%?
Well, now you can. Let me introduce you to our amazing logical alternative, commonly known in the industry as the electronic cigarette.
In just a few years from now, electronic cigarettes will be more the norm than the exception. In fact, I would not be surprised if electronic cigarettes are someday allowed to be sold it as a cessation device. [Not Yet] If that gets approved, this thing will explode even quicker. But, with just this recent court ruling, you?re going to see the wheels come off this train as the electronic cigarette grows in popularity.
Here?s a link to the court decision against the FDA, if you?d like to read it:
http://tveca.com/reference/decision122010.pdf
The primary agency that has been fighting this case in court is the Tobacco Vapor Electronic Cigarette Association (TVECA). They have been instrumental in promoting the concept and protecting our rights. They also are the electronic cigarette industry self regulating body that credible companies, like inLife, look to for guidance and information on just what we should and should not do to promote this amazing concept.
If you?d like to know more about the electronic cigarette, here?s a great website. http://www.smokefreerrom.com
About the Author
Steve is an expert, researcher, author and recognized resource on smoking and the electronic cigarette. His work is focused on providing truthful, up-to-date information about our cigarette habit, health effects, and logical alternatives that allow people to quit smoking without actually quitting. His work can be found on http://www.smokefreeroom.com