Electronic Cigarette Association: Serving Nicotine Users And The E-Cig Industry By Replacing Lies 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.
The ECA hopes to provide a collective voice for the industry and electronic cigarettes organizations and providers. This mission is pursued by dispensing truthful information and providing tools needed to the media, policy makers and leaders of public opinion throughout the country. This trade association intends to institute industry-wide standards and a code of conduct with the goal of educating the public and reassuring legislators about the use of e-cigs.
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 e-cig is presented as a safer and cheaper alternative to tobacco products in the information disseminated by the ECA. Users are encouraged to share their stories about tobacco and e-cigs and urged to contact legislators and argue against any ban of the product.
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 number of ingredients, additives and compounds in tobacco are now fully understood as are the serious health risks involved in smoking. Public buildings and places of entertainment such as restaurants, theaters, and even bars have banned smoking and the trend toward non smoking public areas is spreading to more public places.
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.
The first warnings on cigarette packs appeared after the surgeon general declared tobacco as a health hazard forty years ago. The FDA has refused to intervene in regulating tobacco products or additive and has shown no interest in banning the use of tobacco. Electronic cigarettes have been available to the public for only a few years yet the FDA has repeatedly mentioned banning or regulating e-cigs. The Electronic Cigarette Association was created to publicize the truth about electronic cigarettes in the hope that e-cigs will remain available to the public as a safer alternative to tobacco products.