January 30, 2017

VTA Director Support Vaping in Indiana

National Legislative Director of the Vapor Technology Association (VTA), Tony Abbound, has testified in support of vaping before the Indiana State Senate’s Judiciary Committee.

Tony Abbound, the National Legislative Director of the Vapor Technology Association, has addressed a committee in Indiana where he explained the current issue with regulations imposed upon the public, which have nothing to do with public health concerns.

He stated, “The problem is that the entire basis upon which the current law was promoted is essentially a ruse; a fiction created to justify the imposition of a security firm monopoly.” He continued, “Many of our member companies are manufacturers of e-liquids and vapor devices that sell in all 50 states, that is until the passage of Indiana’s current law which created a monopoly by giving ONE security company the power to choose which handful of companies it would permit to do business in Indiana.”

The VTA is a national trade association, one which is responsible for executing federal and state lobbying, alongside public affairs strategies all three of which advocate for each part of the vapor industry. The VTA represents wholesalers, manufacturers, in addition to small and large business owners all of whom have helped current smokers gain access to more effective alternatives like vaping.

Abboud pointed out that, “The problem is that the entire basis upon which the current law was promoted is essentially a ruse; a fiction created to justify the imposition of a security firm monopoly.” To the Indiana committee he pointed out how the vaping industry in the state is comprised of small businesses who started with a promising future and were crushed by legislative action in the state in addition to FDA regulations. The deeming rule from the agency has impacted these businesses and brought with it many repercussions.

Righting Past Wrongs

But all is not lost. The director added that back in 2014 Mitch Zeller, the FDA’s center for tobacco products director, became an avid anti-smoking advocate after he had learned the benefits of e- cigarettes. Zeller stated during a Senate hearing for health, education, labor, and pensions that “If we could get all those people [who smoke] to completely switch all of their cigarettes to non combustible cigarettes, it would be good for public health.”

Abboud continued that Indiana has a chance to right the wrongs of the past by taking action now and lending a helping hand to the vaping industry. In so doing, Indiana’s state government can help small businesses throughout the state to get back on the track to survival and success. By recognizing the detrimental impact of FDA legislation and state legislation of old, Indiana can take a new stance on vaping, help businesses within the industry to get back their promising future, and start aiding smokers everywhere who want to switch to a healthier alternative.

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