Posted on 13th Oct 2009 @ 8:11 AM

Industry Hails Veto of Anti-Smoking Alternative Bill as Victory for Consumers,
Common Sense 
WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Matt Salmon, president of the Electronic Cigarette Association (ECA), today
praised California Governor Schwarzenegger`s wise decision to veto Senate Bill
400, which would have banned electronic cigarette sales in the state, protecting
adult consumers` access to these alternative smoking devices. 

"This is not just a victory for consumers and common sense but is smart public
policy as well," said Salmon. "Rejecting this bill is the right step and should
serve as a model for other states to follow." 

In his veto message, Governor Schwarzenegger reiterated the stance of the ECA
that strongly supports restricting access of electronic cigarettes to children
under the age of 18. "We agree with the original intent of SB 400 to ban sales
to those under the legal smoking age. And we support that on a national level as
well," added Salmon. 

The Governor affirmed that this restriction should not apply to adult consumers:
"If adults want to purchase and consume these products with an understanding of
the associated health risks, they should be able to do so unless and until
federal law changes the legal status of these tobacco products." 

The ECA actively communicated to the Governor its members` concerns about the
bill and the fact that banning these electronic cigarettes would disenfranchise
thousands of California adult smokers who have difficulty quitting but want an
alternative to combustible cigarettes without the host of carcinogens and
harmful chemicals. Salmon credited this legislative victory to the efforts of
thousands of consumers and ECA members who appealed directly to Governor
Schwarzenegger to protect their rights. 

"While we know that combustible tobacco smoking kills over 400,000 Americans
annually, and the percentage of smokers that quit every year is dismally low, we
ought to be looking for more alternatives to traditional combustible tobacco
products," said Salmon. 

Electronic cigarette kits usually include the electronic cigarette, a
replaceable cartridge pack (that may or may not contain nicotine), rechargeable
lithium batteries, and a charger. There is some variation between different
companies in what is included in their starter kit, but all components are
listed on their Web sites. While ECA members do not market these devices as a
healthy alternative or smoking cessation device, it is clear that they do not
contain the harmful tars and hundreds of carcinogens that consumers get from
combustible tobacco products. 

"We look forward to working with all government agencies, including the FDA, to
ensure that consumers who want an alternative to combustible tobacco products
have access to e-cigarettes that contain fewer harmful substances and produce no
secondhand smoke," concluded Salmon. 

About the Electronic Cigarette Association

The ECA (http://www.ecassoc.org) is an association of private sector companies
engaged in electronic cigarette technologies. Its mission is to provide the
tools and information necessary for policy-makers, opinion leaders, media, and
private sector companies worldwide to make informed decisions about the
management and use of electronic cigarette technologies. The association
institutes and promotes industry-wide standards and a code of conduct, works to
maintain sound professional practices, educates the public and policy-makers on
the industry`s activities and potential, and works to ensure the ethical use of
electronic cigarette technologies.

Electronic Cigarette Association
Matt Salmon, 202-841-6729
msalmon@policyimpact.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009