Electronic Cigarette Association: Protecting Consumers And E-cig Suppliers By Replacing Misinformation With Real Facts
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.
Providing a collective voice for e-cigarette providers is the mission of the ECA. This is done by making tools available to policy makers, opinion leaders and the media throughout the country. The aim is to provide standards that are industry-wide that will education and reassure the public through a code of conduct for the use and safety of electronic cigarettes.
E-cigs were first introduced to the marketplace in 2003 and since that time have been repeatedly attacked on all sides by big pharma and big tobacco. The lobbyists from those industries have spent millions attempting to influence legislators to ban or restrict the production of the electronic alternative to tobacco. Bowing to the pressure of these powerful lobbies, the FDA conducted a limited test of electronic cigs and published their findings as if they had accomplished a true scientific review. The ECA works to combat the myths and misinformation spread by tobacco and pharmaceutical giants who are fighting to keep their market share.
The ECA states its focus as offering electronic cigarettes as a safe and inexpensive alternative to tobacco products. Users are encourage to share their stories and to make their voices heard by 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 full extent of additives and compounds contained in tobacco products is now fully recognized for the health hazards posed to the public. Smoking tobacco is no longer an acceptable habit in public and smokers are often ostracized. Government buildings are non-smoking, business premises have non-smoking signs and those signs are spreading to restaurants, bars, theaters and everywhere else the public gathers for entertainment.
Large companies who stand to lose profits and organizations that want smoking banned in any form have condemned e-cigs. Until recently, there was no alternative to tobacco smoking and many people did not understand their addiction until they tried to quit smoking. Electronic cigarettes provide an alternative to tobacco and is under attack both from those who promote smoking and from anti-smoking legislators.
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.
Mary Kay Rivers has become an acclaimed expert in the field of e-cigarettes. Her publications about smoking with electonic cigarettes and about the best electronic cigarette have become very popular.
Tags: addiction, Electronics, gadgets, health, Inventions, lifestyle, Medicine, Other, Products, quit smoking, stop smoking, Stop Smoking Articles
