Electronic Cigarette Association: Clearing The Fog Of Misunderstanding And Self-Serving Deception With Factual Information
In 2009 a new trade association was created. The Electronic Cigarette Association was formed to speak for an industry under attack by big tobacco, pharmaceuticals and even the FDA. Funded by the industry and through donations, the focus of the ECA is on public relations and on providing accurate information about e-cigs to combat myths spread by big businesses protecting their bottom line. The e-cigarette industry is composed of e-cig producers, distributors and retailers.
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.
Presenting the e-cig as a safe and cheaper alternative to tobacco products is the goal of the ECA. Users are encouraged to share their e-cig stories and the public is urged to contact their Congressional representatives.
When a new and innovative product is introduced it is not unusual for competitors to spread false information. Although smoking tobacco products was accepted by our society for decades the serious health consequences of smoking have only been proven in the past few years. It was common for smoking to be linked to sophisticated lifestyles with an emphasis on macho men and glamorous women with tobacco smoke curling from their fingers.
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.
Some large companies are at risk of losing a large block of their customers with the alternative of electronic cigarettes now available. Lost customers are lost profits and those industries have done everything to profit their profit shares. Those who condemn e-cigs out of greed are joined by some legislators who want all smoking banned. Whether motivated by greed or health concerns, both groups have disseminated false information regarding electronic cigarettes.
It has been forty years since the U.S. Surgeon General publicly declared the health hazards of smoking tobacco. In that 40 years the FDA has never suggested banning tobacco products or even regulating the ingredients until last year. Yet the FDA has been actively looking for ways to ban or regulate electronic cigarettes since their introduction to the market.
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