I found this article on our
lecigs blog in the news feed gadget section. It was from Reuters Thu Nov 5, 2009 9:42am EST RE: ECA
Electronic Cigarette Association Urges Unbiased Evaluation of E-cigarettes as Debate Intensifies Around These Devices | Reuters
Electronic Cigarette Association Urges Unbiased Evaluation of E-cigarettes as Debate Intensifies Around These Devices
Thu Nov 5, 2009 9:42am EST
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WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
As the debate heats up concerning the use of electronic cigarettes, Electronic
Cigarette Association (ECA) President Matt Salmon today encouraged those
involved in this discussion to carefully and honestly study how these devices
work and recognize that the more than one million adult committed smokers, who
use electronic cigarettes, are seeking an alternative to combustible cigarettes
that contain a multitude of toxic, harmful chemicals.
The debate on these devices has intensified in recent months as events have
fueled and focused attention on electronic cigarettes, including a front-page
story last week and a follow-up editorial in yesterday`s edition of USA Today
and stories or editorials in other major newspapers such as the New York Times
and Los Angeles Times. Governor Schwarzenegger`s veto of a bill that would have
denied California citizens the right to purchase electronic cigarettes and a
warning by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) based on a flawed, narrow
study have also contributed to the growing debate.
"Unfortunately, many of the arguments we`ve seen recently against electronic
cigarettes have been driven by fear of the unknown, insufficient evidence,
political agendas, and ignorance about our members` products," said Salmon. "As
in the case of California Governor Schwarzenegger, we`ve found that reasonable
people, when willing to honestly and intellectually evaluate the information
about electronic cigarettes, find that these products provide smokers a viable
alternative to combustible tobacco cigarettes."
Some legislators have taken a stance against electronic cigarettes as a result
of an FDA study that Salmon says was extremely narrow in scope and failed to
follow established scientific protocols. The Electronic Cigarette Association
has called on the FDA to take a more scientific approach and to work with ECA
members before making any hasty decision to ban electronic cigarettes
altogether. Such a ban would leave smokers without an alternative to combustible
cigarettes, whose toxic substances and life-threatening health effects are
clearly documented and which the FDA has no intention of banning.
"We understand that to protect the public, some form of regulation may be
necessary, and we welcome that. Our goal, nevertheless, is to ensure committed
adult smokers the freedom of a clear, better alternative and to prohibit sales
to minors," said Salmon.
About the Electronic Cigarette Association
The ECA (
Electronic Cigarette Association) is an association of private sector companies engaged
in electronic cigarette technologies. Its mission is to provide the tools and
information necessary for policy-makers, opinion leaders, media, and private
sector companies worldwide to make informed decisions about the management and
use of electronic cigarette technologies. The association institutes and
promotes industry-wide standards and a code of conduct, works to maintain sound
professional practices, educates the public and policy-makers on the industry`s
activities and potential, and works to ensure the ethical use of electronic
cigarette technologies.
Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA)
Media Contact:
Matt Salmon, 202-841-6729
msalmon@policyimpact.com
Copyright Business Wire 2009
05-05-2009, 04:03 AM
