FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is VTA?
The Vapor Technology Association represents the manufacturers, wholesalers, small business owners and entrepreneurs who have developed innovative and quality vapor products, providing adult consumers with a safer alternative to traditional combustible products. VTA and its members are leaders in the vapor community, promoting small businesses and job growth, responsible public policies and regulations, and a high standard of safety within the industry.
Why should I join VTA?
VTA serves as the leading advocate for manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers, small business owners and entrepreneurs in the vapor technology industry who not only continue to develop new technologies for the benefit of public health, but also promote small businesses and job growth across the country. VTA and its leadership bring a much-needed, fresh perspective to the industry and a responsible approach to the public policies that impact it.
Who are VTA’s members?
Innovation in the vapor technology industry is driven by small and mid-size business owners in communities across this country. Click here to see a list of VTA’s current members.
How do I join VTA?
VTA provides numerous ways for interested companies from every aspect of the vapor community to participate in our effort. We have established membership dues that are both accessible and that will enable us to provide the highest quality of service to our member companies.
Fill out your membership packet here and return to Tony Abboud at: abboud@vaportechnology.org
Why is the FDA’s approach to regulating vapor products misguided?
The Tobacco Control Act of 2009 was written in response to the public health crisis generated by combustible cigarettes at a time when vapor products were virtually unknown. Nevertheless, FDA requires premarket review of all products. By applying the same requirements and predicate date – February 15, 2007 – to current vapor products, the FDA’s rules will effectively eliminate e-cigarettes as an anti-smoking alternative, quashing the first game-changing technology in the ongoing campaign to reduce cigarette smoking.
Furthermore, by treating vapor products like traditional combustible tobacco cigarettes, the FDA does not address the need for responsible regulation of vapor products independent of the tobacco industry. E-cigarettes constitute an entirely new technology and should be treated as such.
Why should the FDA treat vapor products differently than combustible cigarettes?
Vapor products do not deliver the numerous harmful or potentially harmful inhaled constituents that lead to adverse health outcomes for tobacco cigarette smokers and do not produce harmful second-hand smoke. Responsibly manufactured e-cigarettes are not only a safer alternative to traditional combustible products, but also provide many individuals with a viable path to reduce tobacco smoking and even quit altogether.
What effect will the FDA’s rules have on small and mid-size businesses?
Innovation in the vapor technology industry is driven by small and mid-size business owners in communities across this country. The FDA’s misguided, “one size fits all” approach will ensure that only big tobacco survives. Essentially, the FDA is punishing small business owners, entrepreneurs and innovators in the vapor technology space for the past sins of the tobacco industry.
Why should I support the Bipartisan Cole-Bishop amendment?
The Cole-Bishop Amendment would provide much-needed regulation of vapor products as the new technology that they are rather than the tobacco products that they are not. During the recent mark-up of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration bill, the amendment, offered by Representatives Tom Cole (R-OK) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA), passed with bipartisan support. This amendment accomplishes the goal of protecting small businesses and preserving the industry, while setting the stage for commonsense regulations that will protect youth and ensure the safety of consumers.
What will the Cole-Bishop amendment do?
The Cole-Bishop Amendment will:
Save small and mid-size vapor businesses: By amending the “predicate date” from February 15, 2007 to the effective date of the final deeming regulations, the Cole-Bishop amendment will preserve the ability of small and mid-size businesses to keep vapor products on the market.
Address the issue of product safety: The Cole-Bishop amendment requires the FDA to start their impending rulemaking process for product standards on batteries within 12 months.
Protect Youth: The Cole-Bishop Amendment will restrict youth marketing and youth access to vapor products by:
- Limiting newspaper, magazine or other print advertising of vapor products to adult publications.
- Requiring face-to-face sales, thereby banning self-service displays and vending machines, except » at age-restricted venues.
- Requiring the FDA to issue labeling regulations within 12 months to include, “Keep Out of Reach of » Children,” “Underage Sale Prohibited,” and accurate nicotine content.
Give the federal government the ability to enforce the law: The Cole-Bishop amendment requires retailers to register their establishment, unless the retailer already is required to register under a state law or federal law.