Taxing E-cigarettes: For Sin or Consistency?

Oct 29, 2014JimKOpinion0

Two editorial writers from The Republic discuss the proposed tax on e-cigarettes in Arizona.

Arizona lawmakers preparing to deal with an enormous budget deficit are considering revenue-enhancing options. One possibility is taxing electronic cigarettes at a rate comparable to taxes levied against tobacco cigarettes.

So, should e-cigarettes be taxed akin to tobacco cigarettes? These new “smoking” products won’t produce nearly as much revenue as regular cigarettes, which reap about $2 a pack for the state. But there may be societal reasons for taxing them, too.

Editorial writers Doug MacEachern and Linda Valdez discuss the pros and cons of adding taxes to the sale of e-cigarettes.

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Greeley Taking Time On E-cig Ordinance

Oct 30, 2014JimKNews0

The Greeley City Council was going to treat e-cigarettes just like tobacco cigarettes, but a couple of council members suggested  holding off on a vote and get more information according to an article in The Tribune.

“We came up with the definition of an e-cigarette and treated it in the same manner as other cigarettes,” Assistant City Manager Becky Safarik said about a proposed update to the city’s code. “It is clearly a smoking activity that’s taking place. So we tried to include all the things that is part of that ordinance.”

However, Greeley City Council members decided to hold off on making a decision. One business that sells vapor products has already opened in the city and a second is on the way. Several councilors, including John Gates, said they don’t like the notion of turning away businesses.

“I don’t think it is council’s job to prohibit someone from opening a vapor lounge,” Gates said, pointing out that he agrees e-cigarettes should be banned from public places such as restaurants and bars. “If I don’t want to be exposed, I won’t go. It’s the same as a cigar bar.”

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Frequent Use of E-cigs Help Smokers Quit

Oct 30, 2014JimKHealth/Research0

According to a report from UMass Boston, the more frequently a smoker uses an e-cigarette the more likely  they are to stop smoking.

Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Boston have found that regular use of e-cigarettes may benefit smokers who are trying to kick the habit. The new study from the Center for Survey Research shows that smokers who used e-cigarettes daily for at least one month were six times as likely to quit smoking altogether, compared to those who rarely or never tried one.

“This study provides strong support for the potential harm-reducing value of electronic cigarettes, which allow smokers to get the nicotine they want without exposing themselves to the 4,000 toxic chemicals in tobacco cigarettes,” said Lois Biener, the study’s lead author.

“Policy makers need to think carefully before enacting any laws that make adult smokers less likely to try these products,” such as taxing e-cigarettes as heavily as tobacco or eliminating flavors, Biener said.

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Bans Will Not Hurt Business Say Vape Shops

They say Army Strong? I say Vape Strong! Vapers Unite, period!

VaporVix

Oct 30, 2014JimKNews0

Vape shop owners say that a ban of e-cigarettes in public will not hurt their business according to a story in the York Press.

Shop owners selling controversial e-cigarettes in York claim a ban on smoking the devices inside pubs and restaurants would not impact their businesses.

Shops dedicated to selling the cigarette substitute opened up in the city when they became a popular way to kick the harmful habit.

Chains including KFC, Starbucks and All Bar One have all banned the battery-powered e-cigs, which produce a vapour with a reduced nicotine content.

However, traders selling them in York say business is doing well enough to avoid a potential drop in sales if the ban was enforced.

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Propylene Glycol Used In Many Foods

Oct 30, 2014JimKNews0

Last week propylene glycol was the cause of a recall of a flavored whiskey in three Scandinavian countries according to a story from The Daily Meal.  But it is a very common ingredient in many foods and beverages.

Propylene glycol is an organic chemical compound nobody talked much about until recently, when Fireball Cinnamon Whisky was pulled off the shelves in three Scandinavian countries for containing too much of the ingredient to meet European Union standards. The chemical is used as a solvent and as the primary ingredient in non-toxic antifreeze and as the “e-liquid” in e-cigarettes.

Toxic or not, we thought you might like to know whether  this solvent and antifreeze is hiding in products you eat and drink. The Daily Meal dug up seven of the most common foods and beverages that contain propylene glycol.

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Military bases, Ships face potential tobacco sales ban

Politico.com reports that military bases and ships may face a potential ban on selling tobacco products onsite. For now this includes cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, however since many nationwide smoking bans include vaping, the potential sales halt could include e-cigs and subsequent products.

Congress and the Defense Department are the government sectors seeking the ban, citing an effort to curb smoking. However, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif) is a Marine reservist who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Politico.com story says that he has inserted an amendment in the House-passed defense authorization bill that would block the department from banning tobacco sales at exchange stores. Hunter argues that “we are fighting for your freedom, and you’re taking away ours.”

The review is expected to take place in November.

For the full story, go here.

Law Prohibits Minors From Possessing E-cigs

The Wilton Bulletin is reporting that a new law regarding electronic nicotine delivery systems and youth smoking prevention went into effect October 1.

Public Act No. 14-76 makes it illegal for a minor (under age 18) to buy or possess in public an “electronic nicotine delivery system” or “vapor product” — known as e-cigarettes — and for anyone to sell, give, or deliver one to a minor.

It subjects violators to some of the same penalties the law imposes on those who commit similar violations regarding tobacco cigarettes.

The act also imposes fines, in addition to existing civil penalties on people who sell improperly packaged or individual cigarettes.

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