Washington State Mulling 75% Tax on E-Cigs

Democrat Reuven Carlyle (D) has introduced a bill to the Washington state legislature which would levy a 75% on e-cigarettes and other tobacco substitutes.

The original version of the bill called for a 95% tax, but a revision which passed through the House Finance Committee with a 7-6 vote lowered the proposed rate to 75%.

Bill 2795 would exempt e-cigarettes prescribed by doctors, but only if, and after, the FDA rules electronic cigarettes to be a smoking cessation aid.

Carlyle says the purpose of the bill is to “equalize taxes and mitigate negative effects,” despite the fact that negative health effects from electronic cigarettes have yet to be proven, and there is no logical reason why electronic cigarettes should have taxes “equalized” with cigarettes made from tobacco.

“An important part of the objective is to equalize taxes and mitigate negative effects of the product.”

–Rep. Reuven Carlisle

Presumably, the taxes on cigarettes are justified in large part due to the burden placed on taxpayers by the adverse effects of smoking. E-cigarettes have no such ill effects. By way of comparison, statistics from anti-tobacco activists Campaign from Tobacco Free Kids claim that approximately 7,300 people die from smoking in Washington annually, at cost to the state of $2.81 billion.

In contrast, the total deaths attributed to the use of electronic cigarettes is zero — not just in the state of Washington, but worldwide.

Clearly, lacking any logical justification for equalizing taxes between electronic cigarettes and those made from tobacco, one can only come to a single conclusion: Carlyle’s bill is a shameless cash grab at the expense of the vapers of Washington.

Legislature considers 75% tax on e-cigarettes | Northwest News | The Bellingham Herald.

Washington State Mulling 75% Tax on E-Cigs

Video: Rachel Ray on E-Cigs -- Still Fighting the Same Battles

This clip from the Rachel Ray show isn’t exactly new (the episode first aired several years ago, in fact), but it’s been making the rounds again recently. It’s interesting in that it shows that the same arguments about e-cigarettes have been occurring almost since they first appeared in stores.

One thing we find particularly interesting is the debunking of the FDA’s study on e-cigarettes, still cited today as evidence that electronic cigarettes are harmful even though problems were seen with their shoddy study as soon as it was published. Still, the findings still appear on the FDA’s website as if they are accurate, or even applicable, to electronic cigarettes sold today.

Video: Rachel Ray on E-Cigs -- Still Fighting the Same Battles

Rally to Fight L.A. E-Cig Ban

A recently updated Call to Action on CASAA’s website is urging vapers to help fight the recently-passed ordinance that bans vaping in public areas of Los Angeles.

In addition to contacting Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to voice opposition to the new ordinance, vapers are also encouraged to attend a “Save Vape LA” rally to be held Saturday, March 8 in Pershing Square.

Keynote speakers at the rally will include Herbert Gilbert, inventor of the first electronic cigarette in 1963, as well as Empire Brands electronic cigarette CEO John Cameron, and Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association President Phillip Daman.

A media wall will also be constructed to allow attendees to provide testimony of how vaping has changed their lives.

More details are available from CASAA at the link below.

IMPORTANT Updated Call to Action for Los Angeles! Attend Rally Saturday, March 8th and Contact Mayor to Voice Your Opposition | CASAA.

Rally to Fight L.A. E-Cig Ban

E-Cigarette Myths Debunked

From the pages of Steve K’s Vaping World, a long-running electronic cigarette blog which we highly and frequently recommend around here, comes a great article blowing a lot of the misconceptions about e-cigarettes out of the water.

“I’ve been around the block a time or two before when it comes to e-cigarettes. There is a certain set of talking points that prohibitionists go to when smearing the industry… I figure I’d take a little time out here to touch on the more popular ones and try to explain why they are myths.”

–Steve K

In addition to the oft-repeated myth that e-cigarettes contain anti-freeze, other topics are covered as well, from the idea that nicotine is a carcinogen to conspiracy theories concerning big tobacco’s interest in e-cigarettes, as well as the “gateway theory.”

It’s a good resource for countering a lot of the ridiculous arguments we so often hear about electronic cigarettes, as well as a handy link to send to friends and family who’ve fallen for some of the anti-vaping propaganda spouted by e-cigarette opponents.

There"s Antifreeze in "em: 7 e-Cigarette Myths Debunked | Steve K"s Vaping World.

E-Cigarette Myths Debunked

WI Republicans: Vaping Is not Smoking

In contrast to news like yesterday’s passage of an ordinance banning vaping in public spaces in Los Angeles comes news of a very different situation in Wisconsin.

Republicans have sponsored a bill that explicitly states that vaping indoors is legal, and not prohibited by statewide existing anti-smoking laws.

The bill, submitted by Senator Glenn Grothman, aims to clarify that the state’s anti-tobacco laws do not apply to electronic cigarettes.

“It’s sad that we have to introduce legislation to clarify that the smoking ban was not supposed to (apply to) e-cigarettes.”

-Sen. Glenn Grothman

The bill, of course, is facing some opposition from the likes of University of Wisconsin professor Dr. Michael Fiore, who says “If this bill passes, Wisconsin’s children with their young brains so sensitive to nicotine may be put at risk. Why would we do that?”

There is no evidence to date of any health risks associated with second-hand exposure to electronic cigarette vapor.

Proposal to exempt electronic cigarettes from Wisconsin indoor smoking ban draws opposition | Star Tribune.

WI Republicans: Vaping Is not Smoking

Los Angeles Passes Ban

As expected, a ban on electronic cigarettes wherever smoking is prohibited was passed Tuesday by the Los Angeles City Council. The ban will take effect in April.

“I will not support anything — anything — that might attract one new smoker.”

–Herb Wesson, City Council President

The vote was unanimous, and the new ordinance will be signed by Mayor Eric Garcetti, according to a spokesman from the mayor’s office.

An amendment which allows the use of electronic cigarettes in “vaping lounges” was poassed along with the ordinance, though a measure which would have allowed vaping in bars was defeated 8-6.

Los Angeles bans e-cigarettes in smoke-free areas | Represent! | 89.3 KPCC.

Los Angeles Passes Ban

NJOY Gains $70+ Million in Funding

NJOY, probably the largest maker of electronic cigarettes not owned by a tobacco company, announced it has acquired more than $70 million after its latest round of fund-raising efforts.

“As the only electronic cigarette brand whose corporate mission is to obsolete cigarettes, NJOY is dedicated to delivering the most satisfying products to our customers, advancing the science and expanding the brand globally without the inherent conflicts constraining competitors owned by tobacco companies.”

The largest investors in NJOY were Brookside Capital and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

NJOY has said that the cash will be used to fund marketing, expansion, and research and development, including clinical trials.

This round of funding mirrors a similar drive from last year — NJOY received another $75 million in June of 2013 from a group of investors, including $10 million from Napster founder and former Facebook president Peter Thiel’s firm, Founders Fund.

E-Cig Maker NJOY Raises More Than $70 Million | CSPnet.

NJOY Gains $70+ Million in Funding