Posts Tagged ‘e-cig regulation’

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Cruise Lines Tightening Rules on Smoking

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

One of the reasons many are choosing e-cigarettes over traditional ‘analog’ cigarettes is the increasing restrictions on smoking in public. Restaurants, airplanes, stadiums and many other public venues with large crowds generally have restrictions on where you can light up.

Cruise lines like “Princess’ Cruises” are tightening the screws on smokers as well. Going forward, guest of the cruise line will not be able to smoke in their staterooms or on balconies. Three other cruise lines (Carnival, Holland America and Norwegian) are joining Princess in cracking down on where travelers can light up.

“Our consumer studies show that smokers are a small minority of our passengers, and that the large majority of passengers value having their primary living space on-board smoke-free,” comments Jan Swartz, Executive Vice President of Princess Cruise Lines.

In fact, the numbers of smokers has been on a steady decline for years. Only 19.3% of adults, or 45 million Americans, smoked cigarettes in 2010 according to federal health regulators…in 2005, 20.9% of adults were smokers.

At iCruise.com, a Florida based cruise agency, complaints about smoky cabins and balconies have dropped sharply. Don Walker, co-president of iCruise, says the drop can be attributed to tighter rules on smoking onboard cruise ships. Walker says smokers seem accepting of these restrictions.

How are these policies affecting e-cigarette users?

Depends on the cruise line.

Some are lumping e-cigarette users in with regular smokers and asking them to only use their devices in designated areas while others clearly distinguish between the two and allow e-cigarettes in staterooms and around the ship.

On Princess, guests are allowed to use their e-cigarette in their staterooms since they leave no odor and have no known second-hand effects. However, their use is restricted in dining halls and theaters.  Carnival on the other hand is restricting e-cigarettes to designated smoking areas since they’re relatively new and not much is ‘officially’ known about them.

Tightening restrictions on smoking in public areas is serving as an impetus for smokers to either quit or seek alternatives like e-cigarettes.

While there are still many misconceptions out there, it’s not fair for digital e-cigarettes to be lumped in with traditional ‘analog’ smokers. Next time you’re taking a cruise or traveling, be aware of any of these restrictions and mindful of others around you.

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Federal Regulations Banning E-Cigarettes on Airplanes Moving Forward

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Electronic cigarettes – or rather their use – may soon be formally banned on all passenger aircraft in the United States.  As you probably know, smoking a cigarette on your flight has been illegal for quite some time…since 1987 in fact.

The original law passed by Congress states (…in 49 USC Section 41706) “An individual may not ‘smoke’ in an aircraft.” After the law was passed, the U.S. Department of Transportation wrote regulations to enforce this new law.

However, using an e-cigarette is not smoking as defined by DOT regulations. Combustion does not occur and the device doesn’t emit smoke, it emits (…and you exhale) water vapor.  Therefore, it cannot be legally regulated under current law. What would need to occur is for Congress to amend the 1987 law to include electronic cigarette devices.

Today though, it appears the DOT is essentially writing its own laws to re-define what smoking is. Their proposal would slap a maximum fine of $3300 on anyone caught using an e-cigarette on an airplane.

This is equal to the fine imposed for smoking a regular cigarette, which we and the Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association (CASAA) find to be quite extreme and in violation of the 8th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

CASAA’s advisory also says the DOT hasn’t produced any evidence to suggest that water vapor coming off an e-cigarette is harmful to bystanders…we certainly haven’t seen any evidence of this sort.

CASAA has a great advisory on the proposed regulations along with contact information for the agency. They’re accepting comments through Nov. 14th so we implore you to take a few moments and send a polite, yet firm comment to the DOT asking them to withdraw their proposal.

The advisory also includes links to several studies showing e-cigarettes to be on par with nicotine replacement therapies (gums, patches) in terms of toxicity.

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Passenger Pelts Flight Attendant for Not Being Allowed to Use E-Cigarette

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Talk about overreacting!!

Anyone who flies knows smoking hasn’t been allowed on airplanes since the late 1980s. Smoking on a flight generally carries heavy fines and possible jail time.

These regulations do extend to electronic cigarettes as well. In fact, regulators with the U.S. Department of Transportation recently formalized regulations banning the use of these devices on any flight.

However, this didn’t stop a Utah man from overreacting when asked to put away his electronic cigarette. Traveling from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City, 42-year old Pogos Sefilian of Sandy, Utah became ‘combative’ when a flight attendant ordered him to quit using his e-cig.

According to reports in the Salt Lake City Tribune and USA Today, the incident started when Sefilian began puffing on his e-cigarette shortly after boarding his flight on Southwest Airlines in L.A. An attendant asked the passenger to put the device away but that didn’t sit well with him.

Sefilian begrudgingly stowed the device away but shortly after takeoff, he got it out and started puffing on it again. Again, he was asked to quit using the device immediately.

Later in the flight in an apparent act of rage, Sefilian began pelting the flight attendant and cockpit door with pretzels and peanuts. Shortly before arrival in Salt Lake City, the unruly passenger began opening overhead storage bins.

Once the flight safely landed in Salt Lake City, Sefilian was taken into custody by the FBI. He’s been charged with interfering with a flight crew and is being held in a Utah jail pending a hearing before a Federal judge.

Sefilian’s reaction to the flight attendant’s request is extreme to say the least.

While we generally don’t support e-cigarette bans, perhaps the rule for airplanes makes sense. Considering the devices are still relatively unknown when compared to traditional cigarettes, fellow passengers will perhaps mistake an e-cigarette for a regular one.

No doubt this can cause confusion in a place where it isn’t needed.

Either way, e-cigarette retailers at Modern Vapor urge users to be respectful when using their devices. If it’s clear the restaurant owner, airline, taxi cab or other place doesn’t want you using the device on their property, then it’s best to respect their wishes. While we think some regulations are harsh, we don’t want to seem insensitive or assault those asking us not to use our devices in their presence.

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FDA Decides Not to Appeal January Court Ruling – E-Cigarettes to Be Regulated Like Tobacco

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011

This past January, we reported on a court ruling giving electronic cigarette makers, sellers and users a win in an ongoing dispute with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The issue at hand dealt with how e-cigarettes should be regulated.

On the one hand, the FDA maintained the devices should be regulated as drugs rather than tobacco products. According to research done by the agency, e-cigarettes contained toxins besides nicotine. Many of these toxins occur naturally in tobacco plants, which is where nicotine is derived from.

Classifying e-cigs as a ‘drug delivery device’ would dramatically curtail its availability many say and perhaps lead to an outright ban.

Many public health experts and independent researchers show e-cigarettes contain around the same level of toxins as popular stop-smoking aids like patches and gums.

Electronic cigarette manufacturers, retailers and users (a.k.a. ‘vapers’), including Modern Vapor, contend e-cigs only require some regulation to prevent their sale to minors. We have, and will always support sensible rules governing the sale and use of starter kits and e-cig accessories available here and elsewhere.

FDA’s Decision Not to Appeal D.C. Court of Appeals Ruling – What Does it Mean?

Basically, it means the FDA will have to regulate e-cigarettes much the same way they do traditional cigarettes. While the agency did not outline a timeline by which these rule changes would take place, this news is certainly very welcoming to many who use and enjoy e-cigarettes.

However, the agency did say that if e-cigs are marketed as a quit-smoking aid, they could regulate those individual devices under the much stricter drug delivery device rules. In its statement, the FDA says if e-cigs are “marketed for therapeutic purposes” (i.e. stop-smoking aid), they can impose much tighter regulation.

Some manufacturers and retailers of e-cigarettes do make the claim their products can help smokers quit.

While we’ve provided a short video on our blog about the topic, Modern Vapor doesn’t make these kinds of claims…and not only for legal reasons.

Keep in mind that states and localities around the U.S. are considering what many would consider draconian regulations.

But in the U.S. as a whole, those over 18 can legally buy e-cigarette starter kits and accessories. We invite you to experience an alternative smoking device that many have already found much enjoyment in. Join the growing numbers of ‘vapers’ out there who have made the switch!

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6 Important Factors You Need to Consider When Buying Electric Cigarettes

Thursday, June 16th, 2011

Any product you buy – whether it be a car, a new shirt or groceries – there’s certain things you look for.

But sometimes, we look to buy products we’re not terribly familiar with. Just about anyone will know what they’re looking for in a car or a piece of clothing.

But what about products we’re not too familiar with?

Electric cigarettes are one of those products. Although e-cigs are gaining popularity quickly (…they’ve only been around for about 5 years), most are unfamiliar with what they should be looking for.

Traditional smokers know what they’re looking for. Most smokers have one or two brands they stick with. Price, taste, strength and how long the cigarette lasts are just of a few of the factors.

But if you’re new to electric cigarettes, you may be wondering what factors you need to consider to be sure you get what you’re looking for with the best durability at the best price.

Continue reading to learn about the 6 most important factors you need to think about when buying electric cigarettes.

1.       Customizable

2.       Usability

3.       Battery Charge/Life

4.       Look and feel

5.       Parts and maintenance

6.       Nicotine flavors and strengths

As shoppers and users of products, it’s easy to just jump on the first one that looks good. But upon closer examination, we find there are wide-ranging differences in the various brands out there.

To learn more, we invite you to check out our newest e-cigarette knowledge center article – 6 Factors You Need to Consider When Buying an Electronic Cigarette – today and learn about these important aspects in more detail.

Modern Vapor’s line of electric cigarettes satisfies the bulk of vapers out there. After evaluating the above factors and the multitude of brands available, we invite you to try our exquisite line of electric cigarettes. Starter kits begin at $25 plus shipping. As you go along, we have all of the parts and nicotine flavors you need to enjoy electric cigarettes for years to come.

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5 Scams to Be Aware of When your Buy Electric Cigarettes

Saturday, May 21st, 2011

Storming on to the scene in 2005, electric cigarettes have taken the smoking world by storm…6 years later, e-cigarettes are available from many brands and places both online and off.

As with any product and service, there are unscrupulous sellers of products…electric cigarettes are no different.

And considering how new they are and how fast they’ve grown in all parts of the world, electric cigarettes are especially vulnerable to this kind of manipulation.

So what’s an e-cigaratte buyer to do?

What should you look for?

Continue reading to learn about the 5 most common scams in the electric cigarette industry today. Being aware of these issues can help you choose the best e-cigarettes for your money.

1. Exaggerated claims electric cigarettes are a smoking cessation tool

In some ways, it is true…at least that’s what some people say. E-cigarettes have helped them reduce or eliminate traditional cigarettes from their lives. In the end though, electric cigarettes are an alternative nicotine delivery device. Logically, you can’t call it a quit smoking aid since you’re still technically ingesting the addictive substance found in regular cigarettes.

Aside from this important point, research from various sources is mixed and there’s a lot of debate. Considering this point, regulators are quite strict on the claims electric cigarette retailers can make.

2. Beware of Subscription Scams and Free Offers

While getting something for free is always desirable, there are plenty of products and services that lure buyers in this way but in no way gives you anything for free, or for a fair price for that matter.

Many unscrupulous e-cigarette manufacturers and retailers engage in this practice…the catch?

You’re signed up for a subscription where they automatically send you cartridges at an extremely inflated price. There are generally no refunds available. After receiving a lot of complaints from across the country, the Better Business Bureau issued a warning in April regarding this issue.

3. Be wary of exaggerated claims regarding cartridges

Another tactic more shady e-cigarette retailers use is to say cartridges equal a whole pack of regular cigarettes and things like that. Claims like this just absolutely cannot be made.

First of all, every smoker is different so by extension, how long a cartridge lasts can vary as well. Second, a regular smoker will have to usually go outside or otherwise stop what they’re doing to smoke a cigarette. E-cigarette users, or vapers, on the other hand usually use the electric cigarette throughout the day.

In general, a cartridge equals anywhere between 3 and 8 cigarettes. Some contain more but that’s generally reserved for the big ‘cartomizer’ models that last a whole day for an average user.

4. Be suspicious of over-priced starter kits

Any smoker or interested adult must buy an e-cigarette starter kit to begin enjoying electric cigarettes. But many models you see in stores and in malls usually carry a much higher price tag to cover branding and overhead costs. They’re also generally re-branded from some base model.

Look into various online e-cigarette retailers for a much better deal. Check out reviews and forums to see which brands would work best for you. E-cigarette starter kits range in price – anywhere from $25 for the most basic ones to $130 for ones with a lot of accessories.

5. Don’t buy claims that you can use them anywhere

While it’s quite true that you CAN use them just about anywhere and not really bother anyone, there is the matter of whether you’re allowed or not. Many cities and counties have passed e-cigarette ordinances as well as big institutions like universities and hospitals.

New Jersey for example recently passed an indoor e-cigarette ban. Now, vapers will have to re-join regular smokers outside.

These are just a few of the most common claims unscrupulous e-cigarette retailers make. Modern Vapor, an online e-cigarette retailer, helps prospective vapers fully understand electric cigarettes. We’re always here to help – whether through our knowledge center and blog – or by email and phone.

To get started enjoying an alternative way of enjoying smoking, check out our line of e-cigarette starter kits or contact us today.

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Some State & Local Governments Considering E-Cigarette Bans, Other Restrictions

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

It’s that time of year again when state legislatures are in session with a few states actively considering e-cigarette bans.

Some are trying to ban them outright while others are simply putting sensible regulations in place. One organization, the American Lung Association is lobbying state legislatures around the country to ban the sale and possession of these devices.

(See a statement and analysis on ALA’s position here)

Some of these efforts on the part of the ALA and others is paying off for them…but not for electronic cigarette users unfortunately.

New York is considering an outright ban with current legislation recently passing a key committee vote.  Oregon’s Attorney General recently persuaded two large truck stop chains with outlets in their state to remove e-cigarettes from their inventory.

Local government and health departments like King County, Washington have passed bans.

On a positive note, a Utah bill banning the sale of e-cigarettes was recently withdrawn.

Some of the bills circulating in state legislatures we think are good…sale of e-cigarettes to minors and restrictions around schools and places like that are good laws to consider in our opinion. Arizona is one state considering measures like these as is Colorado.

If you live in one of these states considering draconian restrictions like bans on e-cigarettes, we urge you to contact your state representatives and ask them to oppose such measures. Learn more about any efforts to derail the right to vape by choosing your state from this list.

And of course, bookmark and visit Modern Vapor’s e-cigarette blog and knowledge center for the most up-to-date information on national, state and local regulations or efforts to curtail e-cigarettes in any unreasonable ways.

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Researchers Claim Electronic Cigarettes Safer than Traditional Smokes

Friday, February 11th, 2011

While it’s dicey from a legal perspective for us to claim electronic cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes, new research printed in this month’s issue of Journal of Public Health Policy concludes electronic cigarettes are much safer than traditional ones and shows promise in the fight against tobacco related diseases.

This Boston University study is the first to comprehensively examine scientific evidence about the safety and effectiveness of electronic cigarettes.

“Few, if any, chemicals at levels detected in electronic cigarettes raise serious health concerns,” the study’s authors wrote. “Although the existing research does not warrant a conclusion that electronic cigarettes are safe in absolute terms and further clinical studies are needed to comprehensively assess the safety of electronic cigarettes, a preponderance of the available evidence shows them to be much safer than tobacco cigarettes and comparable in toxicity to conventional nicotine replacement products.”

Specifically, Boston University’s report analyzed 16 laboratory studies to identify the components in electronic cigarette nicotine liquid and vapor. Authors found carcinogen levels in e-cigarettes were about 1,000 times lower than traditional cigarettes.

Since their introduction into the U.S. a few years ago, electronic cigarettes have stirred much controversy.

While many anti-smoking groups along with the FDA oppose e-cigarettes because of a lack of study about them, a federal judge’s December ruling ordered the FDA to regulate e-cigarettes like regular tobacco products.

Michael Siegel, professor of community health sciences at BU, says a ban on electronic cigarettes would force many people to resume their old smoking habits. He questions why the FDA and other health organizations would support such a move.

The report also reviewed some preliminary evidence that electronic smoking reduces one’s urge to smoke real cigarettes because is simulates real smoking.

Read more about Boston University’s report here.

We hope the FDA considers this information when making decisions about the regulation of electronic cigarettes.

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One Step Forward, One Step Back on E-Cigarette Regulations

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

As you know from some of our posts on the matter, there’s been a constant battle brewing between electronic cigarette manufacturers and retailers and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

At issue is how electronic cigarettes should be regulated. The FDA contends the devices should be regulated as drugs, which many believe would ultimately lead to ban on the devices in the U.S. Some individual states are considering bans pending a full review of e-cigarettes by the FDA.

It’s been a constant back and forth – there’s some good news and some bad news for vapers.

First the good news – the FDA received a big setback from a D.C. Court of Appeals whose ruling effectively denied the agency’s request for a review of a three-judge panel’s decision. Specifically, the ruling ordered the FDA to regulate electronic cigarettes as tobacco products.

An FDA spokesman said Monday the agency is evaluating the latest court ruling and determining if it will appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now for the bad news – the New York State Assembly currently has a bill to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes pending more detailed findings from the FDA on the safety of the vaping devices.

The bill, sponsored by Manhattan Democrat Linda Rosenthal, has passed out of the Health Committee and is currently in another New York House committee. It’s still unclear whether the bill will ultimately become law. It passed the State House last year but died in the Senate.

Health officials contend electronic cigarettes encourage minors to take up smoking. They also contend it’s not widely known what goes into the e-cigarette’s nicotine liquid…the health effects of e-cigarettes are not widely known.

Advocates who’ve used e-cigarettes consider the devices to be a miracle of sorts and want them to be regulated as tobacco products. They claim e-cigarettes helped the dramatically reduce or completely quit their smoking habits.

If you’re a resident of New York State, we urge you to call your state representative, senators and governor and urge them to oppose this bill.  And let’s keep it up!! Electronic cigarettes should be available to anyone 18 or over and responsibly regulated.

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Club Commissions Study to Learn Effects of Electronic Cigarettes On Indoor Air Quality

Tuesday, January 25th, 2011

One of our industry’s consumer groups – the National Vapers Club – has commissioned a study to determine the effects electronic cigarette use has on indoor air quality.

As you may or may not know, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration along with the World Health Organization has been using its power to potentially ban electronic cigarettes in the United States. They have strict guidelines on how they’re supposed to be marketed, etc. For example, we are not allowed to claim electronic cigarettes help you quit smoking.

Currently, the FDA and related agencies are evaluating the health and safety of e-cigarettes. Those of us in the industry think our products should be considered tobacco products and regulated as such.

However, the FDA may classify them as a drug which would for all intents and purposes, ban electronic cigarettes in the United States. (…see about a court ruling blocking this move for now)

ExperimentsTo better understand e-cigarettes and to “clear the air,” the National Vapers Club is commissioning a study to understand the affects e-cigarettes use has on indoor air quality. They contracted with a firm experienced in studying indoor air quality as well as specific affects related to smoking.

The study will consist of two parts – data collection and analysis/publication.

NVC is hopeful results from this study will help alleviate people’s concerns about the health and indoor environmental impact of electronic cigarettes.  Results from this study and future ones will help the industry, consumers and government agencies better understand exposure risks and other health concerns of e-cigarettes.

Read more about some myths surrounding e-cigs in our electronic cigarette knowledge center today. And if you have any questions about e-cigarettes, please don’t hesitate to ask.

In regards to the study, the data collection phase is complete. Researchers are currently compiling their findings and will release a final report soon. When they do, we’ll let you know and provide a quick summary.

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