28 Feb, 2010
Electronic Cigarette Association: Dispelling Myths And Self-Serving Deception With Truthful Information
Posted by: Mary Kay Rivers In: General
The e-cigarette industry launched the Electronic Cigarette Association to provide a platform to speak for the producers, distributors and retailers of electronic cigarettes. The trade association was formed in 2009 in Washington, D.C. and is funded through donations and by the members. The ECA answers questions about e-cigs, provides accurate information and focuses on public relations. The ECA provides a collective voice for both e-cigarette providers and organizations by publicizing accurate information and providing the tools necessary to opinion leaders, policy makers and the news media. By instituting a code of conduct that is industry wide, the ECA hopes to reassure the public and legislators about the safety and purpose of electronic cigarettes. E-cigs have been under attack by big tobacco and big pharma since their introduction in 2003. The lobbyists for those industries have focused pressure on legislators and the FDA in an effort to ban the products. The limited research conducted by the FDA is an example of the ability of the lobbies to influence our government agencies. The Electronic Cigarette Association was formed to fight back against attempts by tobacco companies and big pharmaceutical concerns to spread misinformation to the public. The e-cig is presented as a safer and cheaper alternative to tobacco products in the information disseminated by the ECA. Users are encouraged to share their stories about tobacco and e-cigs and urged to contact legislators and argue against any ban of the product. The introduction of a new and innovative product often leads to rumors and innuendoes promoted by competitors. The dangers of smoking are now well documented but for generations smoking was an acceptable habit in our society. Tobacco use was linked to glamour and sophistication in commercials created by marketing firms. The big tobacco trials revealed information about the number of additives and compounds in tobacco products that had previously been industry secrets. The risk to health is now clearly established and proven and has led to intolerance for smokers in our society. For years the public asked for a safer alternative to smoking tobacco and that is exactly what is provided by electronic cigarettes. Big tobacco stands to lose a lot of money as the popularity of e-cigs continues to grow as they provide an alternate nicotine inhalation system that doesn’t expose the smoker to the additives and burning chemical compounds of tobacco. Pharmaceuticals also stand to lose profits. Unfortunately, these two sectors provide a lot of money to legislators. The first warnings on cigarette packs appeared after the surgeon general declared tobacco as a health hazard forty years ago. The FDA has refused to intervene in regulating tobacco products or additive and has shown no interest in banning the use of tobacco. Electronic cigarettes have been available to the public for only a few years yet the FDA has repeatedly mentioned banning or regulating e-cigs. The Electronic Cigarette Association was created to publicize the truth about electronic cigarettes in the hope that e-cigs will remain available to the public as a safer alternative to tobacco products. Mary Kay Rivers is an expert on all facets of e-cigarettes. Her articles about the electronic cigarette lifestyle or about the best e-cigarette are very popular. Mail this post |


