The electronic cigarette industry created the Electronic Cigarette Association to focus on answering questions about e-cigs and providing accurate information about the products. Launched in 2009, the ECA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and funded by donations and members. The purpose of the ECA is to speak for the e-cig industry as a whole.
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.
Powerful lobbyists of big tobacco and large pharmaceutical firms have attacked e-cigarettes from the time the products were introduced in 2003. Pressure from these highly financed lobbies resulted in the FDA conducting a very limited and unscientific study of e-cigs and issuing a caution about their use.. The Electronic Cigarette Association aims to combat the push to ban the products. Results of the FDA testing found a trace amount of a risky compound but did not compare that result with a similar test for the compound in tobacco products. The big corporations realized in 2003 that the electronic versions could damage their profits and they have been applying pressure for a ban since then.
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.
The introduction of a new and innovative product often leads to rumors and innuendoes promoted by competitors. The dangers of smoking are now well documented but for generations smoking was an acceptable habit in our society. Tobacco use was linked to glamour and sophistication in commercials created by marketing firms.
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.
For years the public asked for a safer alternative to smoking tobacco and that is exactly what is provided by electronic cigarettes. Big tobacco stands to lose a lot of money as the popularity of e-cigs continues to grow as they provide an alternate nicotine inhalation system that doesn’t expose the smoker to the additives and burning chemical compounds of tobacco. Pharmaceuticals also stand to lose profits. Unfortunately, these two sectors provide a lot of money to legislators.
The surgeon general of the U.S. declared tobacco products a heath hazard 40 years ago. Yet only last year was any government action taken to place tobacco products under the authority and regulation of the FDA. It is interesting that the same FDA began proposing a ban on e-cigs shortly after they were made available to the public. It is hoped that by taking the lead in self-regulation and forming the Electronic Cigarette Association, the e-cigarette industry will be able to keep this alternative product available to the public.
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