TOB Magazine

ADVOCATING ON BEHALF OF SMALL, mid-

sized and large vapor manufacturers, wholesalers,

retailers, and their customers, the Vapor Technology

Association (VTA) recently concluded a viral social

media campaign to push Congress to pass legislation

to protect the burgeoning vapor industry. In the ef-

fort, more than 665 people and businesses supported

a “Thunderclap” carrying the message “Vapor is un-

der attack! Join the #WeAreVapor campaign and tell

Congress to #SupportColeBishop!” to nearly 900,000

people across the country.

“The grassroots response to our message was tre-

mendous,” says VTA National Legislative Director

Tony Abboud. “Millions of people across the country

use vapor devices as a safer alternative to tobacco, and

in doing so support small businesses in every state. We

want Congress to hear our message and act to support

the Cole-Bishop Amendment, legislation that would

amend the predicate date and demand that FDA im-

plement battery standards to protect consumers, while

continuing to regulate vapor products under the exist-

ing Deeming Regulation.”

Contrary to many ill-informed reports, the Cole-Bish-

op Amendment does not alter the FDA’s authority to

regulate vapor products or any other newly deemed to-

bacco products, notes Abboud. Moreover, he adds, the

Cole-Bishop Amendment does what FDA has failed to

do by requiring FDA to implement battery standards

within the next 12 months.

VTA Conducts

Viral Campaign

Business owners and customers

team up to save vapor.

Millions of

people across

the country use

vapor devices

as a safer

alternative to

tobacco, and

in doing so

support small

businesses in

every state.

According to VTA, the Cole-Bishop

Amendment will:

Save small and mid-sized vapor businesses:

By amending the “predicate date” from February 15,

2007 to the effective date of the final deeming regula-

tions, the Cole-Bishop Amendment will literally keep

thousands of small and mid-sized businesses, and

their tens of thousands of employees, in business.

Save lives:

Vapor products have gained widespread consumer

acceptance amongst smokers who have tried un-

successfully over the years to quit. The Royal College

of Physicians just completed a comprehensive review

of relevant scientific research and concluded that

e-cigarettes are no more than 5 percent as

dangerous as tobacco cigarettes.

Address the issue of product safety:

The Cole-Bishop Amendment requires FDA to

implement a rulemaking on product standards for

batteries within 12 months.

Protect youth:

The Cole-Bishop Amendment will restrict youth

marketing and youth access to vapor products by:

•

Limiting newspaper, magazine or other print

advertising of vapor products to adult publications;

•

Requiring face-to-face sales, thereby banning

self-service displays and vending machines,

except at age-restricted venues;

•

Requiring FDA to issue labeling regulations

within 12 months to include “Keep Out of Reach

of Children,” “Underage Sale Prohibited,” and

accurate nicotine content.

Give the federal government

the ability to enforce the law:

The Cole-Bishop Amendment requires retailers to

is required to register under a state law or federal law.

For more information, visit

savevapor.org

TBI

A VTA VOICE

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