News

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Vapor World

We are so happy to welcome our newest member Vapor World Central Arkansas! Together we can work to educate lawmakers and the general public about the benefits of harm reduction. It takes us working as a TEAM to fight burdensome regulations on life-saving vapor technology!

Thank you!

Visit and support any AVAA member stores to help fight for your rights to vape!

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Rogue Vapers Searcy

We are so excited to welcome our newest member Rogue Vapers Searcy! Together we can educate lawmakers and work towards a better environment for harm reduction.

Arkansas Vape Advocacy Alliance is Arkansas first and only vapor trade association and advocacy group. We rely on membership to keep our non- profit organization successful.

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FDA vs. Vapor Industry and Teen “Epidemic”

Last week, FDA and Commissioner Gottlieb took a giant step backwards against the best interest of public health. Gottlieb declared youth vaping an “epidemic,” and said the agency will halt sales of flavored electronic cigarettes if the major manufacturers can’t prove they are doing enough to keep them out of the hands of children and teens. The FDA says it’s giving manufacturers of Juul, Vuse, MarkTen XL, Blu and Logic 60 days to submit “robust” plans to prevent youth vaping. If the agency doesn’t think their plans go far enough, it could order their products off the market. The FDA also announced the results of its largest enforcement effort yet against e-cigarettes. The agency targeted more than 1,300 online and brick-and-mortar retailers with warning letters or civil penalties for selling to minors. Officials said 131 of the retailers will have to pay penalties. Last month the FDA was weighing the benefits of e-cigarettes in helping adults quit smoking against the risk to young people who become addicted to tobacco through vaping. As we all know, adults prefer flavored e-liquid when they are trying to quit. But Gottlieb now says he’s prepared to make vaping less attractive to adults if it reduces the harm to teens.
By threatening an industry – and technology that millions of adult smokers are successfully using to reduce or quit smoking deadly cigarettes–FDA is venturing into dangerous territory. It is upending its own process by threatening to move forward deadlines and banning “certain flavors” without engaging in its required comprehensive, science-based analysis.
We are surprised by FDA’s statement in particular because the most recent available data indicates we are not in the midst of an epidemic. “It is arguably irresponsible and clearly unscientific to suggest that there is an “epidemic” based upon “news coverage” and “increased concerns among kids, parents and educators” especially when the current available data suggests the contrary – that youth smoking and vaping rates are and have been declining,” said Tony Abboud, Executive Director of the Vapor Technology Association. He added, “Decisions of this magnitude must be made on science, not emotion. That is FDA’s charge. Today’s actions have sent Big Tobacco stocks skyrocketing. Does FDA really want millions of Americans to return to smoking cigarettes?” Vapor Technology Association
AVAA member stores have already adopted marketing standards, and if you haven’t already, now is the time to implement marketing standards where YOU are. Last week’s announcement threatens the entire industry, and we need to be proactive in our approach to keeping vapor products out of the hands of youth. Below you will find VTA’s marketing standards, to which AVAA member stores adhere. Print these off and educate your community vape shops and employees.

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FDA Enforcement

On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, the FDA announced that it and the Federal Trade Commission had jointly issued warning letters to 13 companies covering 8 specific products. The FDA claims these products are misbranded under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, while the FTC claims they violate regulations governing unfair or deceptive marketing. Specifically, they cite the fact that it is the “labeling and/or advertising that cause them to imitate food products, particularly ones that are marketed toward, and/or appealing to, children.”
Arkansas Vape Advocacy Alliance has unanimously adopted Marketing Standards for Member Stores that already condemn unfair and irresponsible practices by these few “bad apples.” Our membership strives to protect children from nicotine products and continues pursuing enforcement by the FDA.
AVAA maintains the position that while flavors are important to help smokers quit, the marketing of these products is to remain responsible.
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US Vapor Flavors Survey

In March, the FDA published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding standards for flavored vapor products. An ANPRM is the beginning of the rule making process and serves as an opportunity for all stakeholders to provide feedback to the agency by way of comments and scientific studies.
As part of the effort to address some of the questions posed by the FDA in the ANPRM regarding flavored vapor products, Dr. Konstantinos Farsalinos has developed a survey. The data collected will provide valuable information about patterns of e-cigarette use with a focus on the role that flavors play.
Let’s make this the largest U.S. only survey ever. You can only take it once and only one participant per IP address. Millions of smokers lives are hanging in limbo, counting on your responses.
Please take time today (approximately 20 minutes) to complete this survey.
Click here to take the survey.
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AVAA Partners with VapesGiving

Arkansas Vape Advocacy Alliance is pleased and humbled to be partnering with #VapesGiving this week for dollar-for-dollar matching of donations to AVA by Naked 100.

#VapesGiving™ offers the opportunity not only for you to donate to a spectrum of organizations, but to see your donation doubled thanks to the support of Naked100.
Make a donation to the American Vaping Association during the Donation Period, which runs through 11:59 p.m. on December 19, 2017. Naked 100 has generously agreed to match the total amount donated up to $190,000!
At the end of #VapesGiving™, advocacy organizations across the country, including AVAA, will receive checks from both Naked 100 and the AVA.
We are very grateful for this astounding opportunity, and are eager to put those donations to work!
Click here to donate now!
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AVAA Leaders Attend National VTA Advocacy Conference

Arkansas Vape Advocacy Alliance President Topher Kent, Secretary Scout Stubbs and member Eric Stubbs attended the VTA Advocacy Conference in Chicago on December 7th, 2017.

The conference, dubbed the VTA Vapor Game Plan for 2018, is an annual state strategy meeting of VTA members from across the country. Members of the vapor industry are preparing for upcoming battles with local and state governments concerning over regulation. We anticipate making an impact on legislators next session! 

VTA Conference 2017

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Toy Hill 2017

Toy Hill 2017

Toy Hill 2017

Thank you to all our participating AVAA shops:

Rogue Vapers
Willy’s Vapor Cafe
Vapor Lounge
Vapor-Riffic
Drippers Vape Shop

We were able to brighten a lot of kids’ holiday this year! As an industry, we are a very compassionate bunch. It all starts with the desire to help people quit smoking!