FROM THE TRENCHES: VTA WEEKLY UPDATE<\/strong><\/p>\n This week has been another exciting week for VTA. VTA’s ranks continue to grow as an additional association has joined our membership! In addition, we are asking all state associations to be vigilant as budget bills are being filed, and several include burdensome taxes on vapor products.<\/p>\n THE FEDERAL FRONT<\/strong><\/p>\n VTA NEEDS YOU TO ACT NOW!<\/strong> CLICK HERE TO SIGN YOUR NAME TO THE LETTER!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Vapor Industry Leaders To Congressional Leadership: Support Cole-Bishop and SAVE VAPOR!<\/strong> Read VTA’s press release HERE<\/a>, and the full text of the letter HERE<\/a>.<\/p>\n Health Care<\/strong><\/p>\n Supreme Court Hearings for Judge Neil Gorsuch in Senate Judiciary<\/strong><\/p>\n Congress: A Look Ahead<\/strong><\/p>\n Seating for this meeting may be limited, so the public is encouraged to watch the free webcast instead of traveling to the meeting. The link for the webcast will be available approximately 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting each day.\u00a0Click here to access the webcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n THE STATE OF THE STATES<\/strong><\/p>\n There has been significant bill movement in several states that would affect vapor products over the last week. Two states have introduced additional vapor tax proposals in the last two weeks. Nevada<\/strong> has introduced a tax on vapor products of 5 cents per milliliter (A 269) and West Virginia<\/strong> introduced a tax of 10.5 cents per milliliter of consumable product (SB 677 and SB678). In addition, there are several additional pieces of legislation moving in various states related to Tobacco 21 laws, Clean-Indoor Air Bans, and coupon and sales restrictions. If you have concerns about specific bills in your states, or their potential impact on your business, please contact us. We are active with 20 state vapor groups and are ready to help you!<\/p>\n Maryland Licensure Bill Harms Vapor Industry<\/strong> Montana In Bill Killing Mode<\/strong> Webinar Series: Start and Grow Your State Association<\/strong> Further, if you would like assistance in getting your state organized, please contact us. We would be happy to assist you in forming a state association to fight back against anti-vapor legislation.<\/p>\n GET SOCIAL \/ STAY CONNECTED<\/strong><\/p>\n To learn more about how to get involved in the fight to save vapor, visit\u00a0www.vaportechnology.org<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0www.SaveVapor.org<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Please take a moment and forward this email to anyone you know will be interested in what’s going on and encourage them to sign up for our mailing list at www.vaportechnology.org<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0or www.SaveVapor.org<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n And, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook<\/a><\/strong> and Twitter<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Thank you for all you do to defend our industry!<\/p>\n
\nAs you may know, President Trump’s Administration has made rolling back burdensome federal regulations a cornerstone of its agenda. Limiting the small-business killing impact of the Deeming Regulation must be addressed now.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/box769.bluehost.com:2096\/cpsess9576527033\/3rdparty\/squirrelmail\/images\/spacer.png\"){kind=spacer}
Please take a moment today and lend your business’ name to a letter urging HHS Secretary Price to delay full implementation of the FDA deeming regulation<\/a>, which is the first necessary step in the larger effort to reform the way the FDA regulates the vapor industry.<\/p>\n
\nVTA joined with Smoke Free Alternatives Trade Association, Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free Alternatives Association and the American Vaping Association to send a letter to leaders of both parties in Congress urging them to support the “FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017” (H.R. 1136), legislation that would keep vapor products on the shelves and protect small vapor businesses across the country from being overrun by overly burdensome federal regulations.<\/p>\nVTA’s Ashley Davis joins Smoke Free Radio<\/strong>
\nThis week, VTA’s Washington, DC lobbyist joined Smoke Free Radio to discuss Cole-Bishop and efforts to delay implementation of the FDA’s industry-killing deeming regulation.\u00a0Check out the interview HERE.<\/a><\/p>\nCongressional Update<\/strong>
\nThree issues are dominating Congress this week: (1) House consideration of the American Health Care Act (aka the reconciliation package repealing portions of the ACA); (2)\u00a0Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court; (3) the FBI Director’s testimony on Russia.<\/p>\n\n
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TPSAC meeting in Silver Spring, MD – April 6, 2017<\/strong>
\nOn April 6, 2017, FDA will present information to the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee(TPSAC) on the processes used in review of tobacco product applications, including premarket tobacco, substantial equivalence, and modified risk tobacco product applications. Topics will include the statutory standards applicable to the different types of applications, the scientific basis for review decisions, with a focus on PMTA and MRTPA, and the role of the Committee in the review process.\u00a0Click here for more information.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nIndiana House Begins Debate Vaping Reform Bill<\/strong>
\nThe Indiana House this week held its first subject matter hearing on Senate Bill 1 – the bill which will re-open the Indiana market to vapor companies. We ask that all Indiana businesses remain plugged in to this debate and that you support financially the efforts of the Indiana Smoke Free Alliance<\/strong> which has been leading the charge. There is no better investment of your funds if you are interested in re-opening the state of Indiana to vapor business. We will continue to update you when calls to action are needed.<\/p>\n
\nThe Maryland Vapor Alliance<\/strong> is working on addressing concerns with HB 523 which passed the Senate last week. House Bill 523 would create a separate licensure requirement for manufacturers, wholesalers, storage facilities, and retailers. The bill also places limitations on the transportation of vapor products, and affects where retailers and consumers may attain their vapor products. \u00a0Look for a Call to Action shortly from the VTA and the Maryland Vapor Alliance.<\/p>\nPennsylvania Introduces Tax Reform Bill<\/strong>
\nThe Pennsylvania Vaping Association<\/strong> has hit the ground running. PVA introduced Senate Bill 508 which would repeal the 40% wholesale tax and replace the current tax with a 5-cents per milliliter tax. PVA representatives are aggressively engaged, meeting with all the key decision makers and elected officials to craft a new path forward for vapor businesses in the Keystone State. Thank you to the Pennsylvania Vaping Association for all your hard work!<\/p>\n
\nFreedom Vapes has been leading the charge in Helena to kill the Clean Indoor bill (done) and is taking on the absurd industry killing 74% wholesale tax being proposed. \u00a0Together with Freedom Vapes we have generated over 3,000 anti-tax messages to the committee. Ron and Deanna Marshall are in the Capitol working hard to defend Montana. Give them your support as they build a solid grass roots constituency!<\/p>\n
\nVTA continued its webinar series this week with organizing calls in New Mexico and New York. If you would like to get involved in starting and growing state associations in either state, please contact us.<\/p>\nGet involved and save vapor!<\/strong>
\nWe are on the right path, but in order to be successful, we present a unified front. This is why VTA wants YOU to get involved. Call your state legislator. Write your congressman. Because if we do not make our voices heard, the powerful interests that are working to defeat us will prevail.<\/p>\nTony Abboud
\nExecutive Director
\nVapor Technology Association\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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