ATTN Vermont Vapers! Take Action To Oppose Vapor Taxes

From CASAA;

Update - 04.01.16

On Wednesday, March 27th, the House passed H.879. The bill now moves on to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

Some very important points were revealed in recent media coverage on this bill.

1. Some Vermont lawmakers have been led to believe that the vapor industry is controlled by “big tobacco.”
2. Some lawmakers do not believe that e-cigarettes can be used to transition away from smoking -- despite testimony from people who have successfully quit smoking and remained smoke-free for many years.
3. Lobbyists from public health groups are, again, promoting an agenda intended to keep people from switching to low-risk alternatives to smoking.

If you have not already sent a message to your lawmakers, please take this opportunity to contact them now. We have updated this engagement to include Vermont Senators.

Take Action - Send a Message
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Update - 03.25.16

What was, just a few days ago, an amendment to a larger tax bill has now become a stand-alone bill upon being rejected by the House

H 879 would subject vapor products to Vermont’s 92% wholesale tax on Other Tobacco Products (OTP).

This bill is scheduled for a hearing on

Wednesday, March 30th, 8:45 AM
Committee on Ways and Means
115 State Street, Room 34
Montpelier, VT

Please make plans to attend this hearing. At least one vapor retailer is scheduled to speak and there may be a couple more.

Even if you do not plan to speak, your presence is important and will give scheduled speakers the opportunity to point to real people that have experienced the benefits of switching to vapor products.

Please take action now by calling and emailing your representative urging them to oppose any extra taxes on vapor products. Including your personal story is vital to helping them understand the real value that vapor products have in your life. We have provided a pre-written email and talking points for your calls, but we strongly urge you to write, in your own words, how vaping has affected your life. (please see “writing tips” below)

Take Action - Send a Message

Take Action - Make a Call

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An amendment that would subject vapor products to Vermont’s 92% wholesale tax on Other Tobacco Products (OTP) is likely to be introduced at a hearing on Thursday, March 24th, 2016. This is an amendment to H 873 -- a bill that makes various changes to Vermont’s tax code.

Please take action now by calling and emailing your representative urging them to oppose any extra taxes on vapor products.
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Take Action - Send a Message
Take Action - Make a Call