SFATA California Chapters Fly-In a Success
SFATA has always believed that direct contact with legislators is the most effective way to share your thoughts on policies regarding vapor products and we have organized many opportunities for SFATA members to have those meetings.
On Tuesday, March 29, more than 70 SFATA members filled the halls of the California State Legislature in Sacramento to urge a veto of anti-vapor bills and talk with legislators who had already passed the bills about their businesses.
One of the bills, ABX2-6, a measure introduced by Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove) would define vapor products as “tobacco” and make related changes to existing law, has passed both the Assembly and Senate and is now being held by the state legislature before being delivered to Governor Brown. SFATA members attending the fly-in urged Governor Brown to veto the bill because vapor products are not tobacco products and should not be regulated or taxed as if they are combusted cigarettes. Members also reminded legislators of the economic impact vapor business have by providing jobs, strong retail presences in their communities, and sales tax revenue.
 | At our fly-in rally, SFATA was honored to have Senator Joel Anderson speak passionately about harm reduction and economic impact. We are also thankful for Assemblyman Matthew Harper (pictured left) joining our members at our reception at the end of the day, sponsored by Five Pawns. SFATA President and Executive Director Cynthia Cabrera was a guest on the John and Ken Show to talk about the fly-in and vapor’s impact on the state. Other press covering the event include The Sacramento Bee and The OC Register. These lobbying events are an important and effective tool for SFATA and we look forward to doing many more in the future. |
The Importance of SFATA Membership
Since our founding in 2012, our mission at SFATA has been to protect innovation and access for vapor products; starting with federal representation and later with our 23 state chapters.
In the last four years, SFATA has grown from a small group of industry leaders to the largest trade association in the vapor industry and the leading voice for vapor businesses.
Our strength comes from our more than 800 members. In February we hosted our largest fly-in to date in Washington, DC and another in Sacramento, CA. in March. We have represented the industry positively at numerous conferences and seminars and provided exclusive online content for members in addition to other benefits like discounts on business insurance. We have educated lawmakers and regulators alike about what the vapor industry is really about; who pioneered it, the faces of the business owners and the challenges they face.
When we first started, we worried that the industry would not unite in the fight to preserve the innovation of the industry and that access to the products would be denied. But our membership has grown and we have had more wins than we expected.
Battles from anti-vapor groups are coming faster and harder, and we need to maintain our strength. With FDA’s deeming regulations looming and bureaucracy at the state and local level never ending, SFATA membership should be a top priority of every vapor business.
Have you asked your suppliers if they are SFATA members? What about the companies you sell to? Your wholesalers? Distributors?
Get them to sign up today at SFATA.org/Join.
Update on OMB/OIRA Review of FDA Deeming
SFATA staff continues to monitor the FDA deeming regulations currently at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), part of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). It is widely accepted that the deeming regulations will devastate the vapor industry if major changes have not been made from the version of the proposed regulations last seen.
OIRA has discretion to review the regulations for any length of time they see fit though the Congressional Review Act could compel them to release the regulations by May 17, 2016 according to the American Action Forum.
When the deeming regulations are announced, SFATA leadership will work to get accurate and detailed information to members quickly.