The e-cigarette industry launched the Electronic Cigarette Association to provide a platform to speak for the producers, distributors and retailers of electronic cigarettes. The trade association was formed in 2009 in Washington, D.C. and is funded through donations and by the members. The ECA answers questions about e-cigs, provides accurate information and focuses on public relations.
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.
Presenting the e-cig as a safe and cheaper alternative to tobacco products is the goal of the ECA. Users are encouraged to share their e-cig stories and the public is urged to contact their Congressional representatives.
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 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 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.
Mary Kay Rivers has become an expert on all facets of e-cigarettes. Her articles about the e-cigarette lifestyle or about the best electronic cigarette have become very popular.