Sweet smell of sick-cess: E-cigarette regulation helps taxes, not public health
May 9, 2016, 6:29 PM
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)
Here we go, another game of “follow the money.”
Last week, the Food and Drug Administration decided to signal the beginning of the end for the up-and-coming “vaping” industry.
With a few key strokes and no congressional vote, the FDA announced that it will regulate the vaping and e-cigarette industry just as it does the tobacco industry.
That means ALL vaping hardware, along with the liquid that is ultimately vaporized and inhaled, will need to be approved by the FDA.
And this is where it will get ugly.
The application cost for FDA approval can range from hundreds of thousands of dollars to $1 million. Keep in mind that approval will be required for EACH item and EACH flavor of vaping liquid.
This will force most small manufacturers out of the market. Those manufacturers that survive will most likely have to price their product right out of the market.
So, let’s follow the money, shall we?
We begin with big tobacco. Vaping is seen by big tobacco as the Silver Bullet, the Wooden Stake, their ultimate undoing. A study from our friends across the pond found that vaping and e-cigs have proven to be an unprecedented way to QUIT smoking!
So it’s a good thing for big tobacco that they had the foresight to fund several re-election campaigns of politicians here in the states, which ensures that the regulatory winds continue to blow in their favor.
(Ah, the sweet, second-hand smell of success.)
Now, keep in mind: what is regulated can and will be taxed.
Don’t believe me?
Quick trivia question: What department of the government founded the Department of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms? If you said the Treasury, straight to the head of the class with you!
That’s right, it wasn’t about your safety — it was about tax revenue.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have seen the best chance that we have ever seen to rid our society of cancer sticks once and for all, only to be regulated and ultimately controlled by those with a vested interest in your — well, death.
