Sad News Concerning The Fate Of E-Cigs

The word is out that the FDA is preparing to go ahead and implement it's new policies regarding e-cigs. When put into effect these policies will destroy about 99% of the e-cig market, will place control of e-cigs into the hands of Big Tobacco, and will cause current vapers to go back to smoking cigarettes. This in turn will lead to more smoking related deaths.

For those who have remained in the dark, last year the FDA proposed to implement various new policies and regulations concerning e-cigs. Some of the proposed regulations include the banning of all flavors, the limiting or banning of advertisements, the banning of sale to minors, and the forcing of all manufacturers producing e-cig models and e-liquid to submit costly applications for each model of e-cig produced after 2007 and every kind of e-liquid they sale. The applications will cost business owners millions of dollars in order to comply with the new regulations. As a result, most business will not be able to afford the applications and will be forced to discontinue sale of e-cigs and e-liquids. The only companies capable of paying millions of dollars for the applications will be the Big Tobacco companies. So in one big swoop Big Tobacco will have full control over the e-cig market. All of their competition will have been destroyed by the FDA.

When the new regulations are put into effect the only type of e-cig that will be available is the crappy "cig-a-like" ones, the ones that were produced in 2007. These do not satisfy the majority of vapers. Additionally, their nicotine content is extremely high and they produce very little vapor.

The rumor is that the first regulation that will be implemented will be the banning of all flavors. The lie being spread is that flavors are designed to attract children. This argument is not logical. By this logic alcohol is designed to attract children because it too comes in a variety of flavors. The notion that adults don't like flavors is patently absurd. It's good that e-cigs are not sold to minors but adults should retain their right to flavors as well as their choice in model of e-cig.

If implemented these regulations will prove to be a great tragedy to public health. The regulations could be implemented as early as January of 2016. If you can, please visit CASSA and do your part to make sure your politicians hear your voice and know where you stand on this issue.

http://www.casaa.org/

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Day Of The Dead Festival

So today I had the pleasure of attending our local Day of the Dead (Dia des Muertos) festival. It was fantastic. I was blown away. I really didn't know what to expect and for some reason I didn't think there would be as many people as there actually was. The place was packed!

The event was held in the Plaza district, one of two great arts districts in Oklahoma City. There were small booths set up all down the district. The participating businesses all had offrendas (altars for the dead). There was also a main community offrenda where anyone could go and set a light for their dead loved one. There was also a booth set up that sold marigolds, the traditional flower offered to the dead. It's believed the pungent smell is a beacon to the dead.

Mexican Folk Dancers

There were traditional Mexican folk dancers, a parade/procession, various assorted activities for children, and traditional Mexican food. It was a wonderful experience. I will definitely be attending every year. If you are in the OKC area this time next year then do check it out.

My friend setting a light for a loved one who has passed

Marigolds for the dead

A beautiful offrenda

Santa Muerte?

Christopher Lee offrenda. Notice the bread of the dead.

Offrenda for Leonard Nimoy

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