James Dunworth, over at E-Cigarette Direct, is a curious guy, like me. We've traded some very interesting info over the last few months and he sent over the results from a survey he did this week asking people about their opinions and beliefs in some of the anti smoking groups outrageous claims. What he found did not surprise me, but I thought it would be fun to go down the list and see what they thought.

The survey included 250 people, smokers, non smokers and vapers, so not that comprehensive of a survey, but a nice place to start. The respondents broke down like this:

• 34% Non Smoker (91)
• 18% Smokers (48)
• 33% Electronic Cigarette Users (89)
• 15% E-cig users who still smoke (40)

Question 1: Do you believe smoking is bad for your health?

95% said YES | 2% said NO  | 3% were undecided

www.greensmoke.com The Official Green Smoke Electronic Cigarette www.greensmoke.com

www.greensmoke.com The Official Green Smoke Electronic Cigarette www.greensmoke.com

ATLANTA (AP) -- Anti-smoking advocates say they know a way to 
help fill the state's $1 billion budget shortfall: hike the tax on 
cigarettes by $1.

They'll hold a rally at the state Capitol on Monday to promote 
the plan. Among those set to attend is Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the No. 2 medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

The plan wasn't given much chance of passing when the 
legislative session began in January. But the state's steadily 
worsening fiscal picture has legislators scrambling for additional 
revenue. More than 60 co-sponsors have signed onto the bill in the Georgia House.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
SMOKING EVERYWHERE, INC.,
)
Plaintiff,
)
and
)
SOTTERA, INC., d/b/a NJOY,
)
Intervenor-Plaintiff,
)
v.
)
Civil Case No. 09-771 (RJL)
)
U.S. FOOD AND DRUG
)
ADMINISTRA TION, et aI.,
)
Defendants.
)

MEMORANDUM OPINION (January H,2010) [# 2 and 24]

Plaintiff, Smoking Everywhere, Inc. (“Smoking Everywhere”), and intervenor-plaintiff, Sottera, Inc., which does business as “NJOY” (“NJOY”) (collectively, “plaintiffs”), are distributors of a product known as “electronic cigarettes” or “E­cigarettes.” They claim that inbound shipments of their products from overseas manufacturers have been denied entry into the United States, or have otherwise been detained, by order of the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) on the ground that

electronic cigarettes are an unapproved drug-device combination under the Food, Drug,

and Cosmetic Act (“FDCA”), 21 U.S.C. §§ 301 et seq. Plaintiffs seek a preliminary

Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (collectively,

“FDA”),¹ enjoining FDA from regulating electronic cigarettes as a drug-device

combination and from denying entry of those products into the United States. As such,

In a 32 page ruling released today for the Smoking Everywhere vs FDA lawsuit, US Federal Judge Richard Leon has said the FDA has no jurisdiction over electronic cigarettes, at least in so far as regulating them as drug delivery devices. The FDA's efforts to regulate ecigarettes as a drug has taken a severe blow and ecig makers, sellers and users around the globe are rejoicing.

In his ruling Judge Leon had scathing words for the FDA:

This case appears to be yet another example of FDA's aggressive efforts to regulate recreational tobacco products as drugs or devices, Unfortunately it's tenacious drive to maximize its regulatory power has resulted in its advocacy of an interpretation of the relevant law that I find, at first blush, to be unreasonable and unacceptable."

Ray Story, CEO of Smoking Everywhere said ""big big big victory for us." and ecigarette forums around the Internet lit up tonight with rejoicing and celebration at the good news.

What effect with this ruling have as the electronic cigarette industry faces challenges from attorney generals from California and other states as well as stiff opposition from anti smoking groups has yet to be seen.

Goucher College in Baltimore Maryland recently took a survey of faculty, staff and students to decide if electronic cigarettes should be included in their smoking ban. What the survey said tells a lot about the public perception of ecigs and vapers.

First off, I commend Goucher’s President Sanford J. Ungar for doing the survey rather than just taking it upon himself to ban ecigs. That shows good leadership and a true community spirit in the college. Democracy in action!

The survey received good response as well. 470 respondents broke down into 64 faculty, 97 staff and 309 students. The question they were asked was "Should the use of e-cigarettes be covered by the college smoking policy?" 

160 responded NO (12 Faculty, 23 staff, 125 students)  and 310 responded YES (52 Faculty, 74 Staff, 184 students), resulting in ecigarettes being included in their smoking policy. The really great thing about this survey though is that they actually published the comments people made and for me, that's very valuable insight into what people are thinking about ecigs.

USACIG, maker of the "Electric Cigarette" announced they have signed an exclusive agreement with Hop-on to submit it's electronic cigarette technology to the FDA for clinical studies for the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Recent studies by the Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center lead by Maryka Quik, Ph D have indicated intermittent nicotine treatment can reduce medication induced dyskinesias by as much as 50%. USACIG is hoping their electronic cigarette might be the perfect way to deliver nicotine to Parkinson's patients.

Peter Michaels, CEO of Hop-on, the company one usually associates with multi media services, the first disposable cell phone and the licencing of technology like CDMA, GSM and WIFI, says they are excited to be the exclusive agent for FDA submission.

Njoy announced today they will no longer carry flavors in the US market, save for tobacco and menthol. Why? Because that's what the law requires for regular cigarettes and they are trying to cut the feet out from under the insane argument that "Electronic Cigarettes are marketed to kids".

While I understand their reasoning, it infuriates me to see Njoy and the others forced to cave. Politically it's probably a good move. Anti smoking activists have convinced people that if something tastes good, it must be for kids. But I disagree and I grow tired of seeing this argument not only repeated but successful time and time again.

Chalk up another victory for drug company funded activist anti smoking groups. They are proving the old adage "if you just keep repeating it, it becomes the truth."

Why is this agrument making sense to people? An ecigarette that costs $100 is for kids because it comes in flavors?

Njoy said:

Though electronic cigarettes have a price point generally considered beyond the reach of most youth and there is not widespread evidence of the products being used by underage smokers, a number of pertinent issues have been raised regarding underage persons, such as the appeal of various flavors.

Read more

Today Njoy, a leading electronic cigarette manufacturer announced they will be discontinuing the sale of any flavored nicotine cartridges except tobacco and menthol in the US market to bring their offerings in line with the requirements of traditional cigarettes by the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act. They anticipate the new flavor policy to be in full force by spring 2010. 

Jack Leadbeater, CEO of Njoy said "Electronic cigarettes represent a smoking alternative for adult committed smokers. We have no interest in marketing or selling our products to underage smokers and have taken numerous steps over the years to prevent youth access to our products. We hope other members of our industry will act responsibly and either follow our lead or innovate even better methods to ensure proper product use.”

The company further outlined the steps they have already taken to discourage the underage use of Electronic Cigarettes, including: