Voices of Vapers Heartland Institute

Reason Foundation’s Policy Analyst Jacob Rich joins The Heartland Institute’s State Government Relations Manager Lindsey Stroud to discuss Reason’s latest Policy Study Does Menthol Cigarette Distribution Affect Child or Adult Cigarette Use?

In this episode, Jacob and Lindsey discuss the results of the study, specifically noting that Reason’s analysis found states with “more menthol cigarette consumptions relative to all cigarettes have lower rates of child smoking.” The findings of the study are included into a broader discussion on menthol bans and their effects on cigarette consumption and other policy implications.

You can find Reason’s study here.  You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @jacobjamesrich and at jacobrich.com.   

In 2017, over 420 New Hampshire residents died due to an opioid overdose. Further, the epidemic has cost the New Hampshire economy $6.6 billion between 1999 and 2015.

To address the issue, New Hampshire State Representative has introduced House Bill 1563 which would reform the state’s criminal asset forfeiture laws. Under the proposed bill, proceeds that are seized after a criminal conviction would be dispersed to a Governor’s council to use to fund medication, rehabilitation and other programs to address the opioid epidemic.

Rep. Spillane discusses his legislation, its importance and the battle it may face in the 2020 session. Rep. Spillane also highlights what can be expected from New Hampshire in this year’s session. You can track the legislation here. You can contact Rep. Spillane at james@jamespillane.org

Bill Wikstrom, president of the Mississippi Vaping Advocacy Association joins The Heartland Institute’s State Government Relations Manager Lindsey Stroud to discuss Mississippi’s recent 2019 gubernatorial election and vaping issues in the Magnolia state. Wikstrom is a retried combat veteran and owns two companies including 13 vape shops and an e-liquid distribution company.

Stroud and Wikstrom discuss the election results, including the impact of vapers turning out to the polls, as well as the current e-cigarette regulations in Mississippi, the Mississippi Vaping Advocacy Association, and what to expect in 2020. You can find more information about the Mississippi Vaping Advocacy Association at msvaa.org.

In this episode of Voices of Vapers, Marc Slis joins State Government Relations Manager Lindsey Stroud to discuss the latest out of Michigan Gov. Whitmer banned flavors in nicotine-containing e-cigarettes in September. Slis is a 55-year-old father of three who smoked for 41 years and in 2014 "wandered" into a vape shop and effectively quit smoking. Slis would later buy that same vape shop and has helped 1,000 other people quit smoking. 

Slis and Stroud discuss Gov. Whitmer's executive order, his subsequent lawsuit in which a judge issued a temporary restraining order on the ban, and legislation that has been introduced by Representatives Johnson and LeFave. Slis also chats about Michigan Vape Shop Owners (MVSO). MVSO is a trade group, representing manufacturers and brick and mortar vape shops throughout Michigan that have come together to work for sensible legislation, to keep vaping safe and legal in Michigan. You can find more information at mymvso.org

In this episode of Voices of Vapers, Matt Culley joins The Heartland Institute’s State Government Relations Manager Lindsey Stroud to discuss a recently proposed flavor ban in Montana.

Culley, quit smoking seven years ago after being diagnosed with oral cancer. Culley and Stroud discuss his journey, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s recent vaping ban and address the media fearmongering surrounding vaping-related hospitalizations, which are being linked to the use of black market vaping products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

You can find Culley’s YouTube page here.

Stefan Didak, founder of Not Blowing Smoke, and currently operating the public affairs firm Ignyter joins State Government Relations Manager Lindsey Stroud to discuss the history of flavor bans in California, LA’s recent flavor ban and how these have spread to other states, including Michigan, New York and Rhode Island.

Stefan and Lindsey talk about solutions to the issue of youth use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, how “Big Tobacco” did not create vaping products as a gimmick to attract kids, what to expect in the coming months and the consequences of inaction.

You can contact Stefan on Facebook and Twitter.