This one’s mostly for readers in the Windy City. It appears that Rahm is making another run at giving e-cigarettes the New York City treatment. They have announced a meeting on the subject of e-cigarettes for this coming Monday. Smoque Vapors passed this call to action along to me to share with you.
URGENT: STOP CHICAGO FROM BANNING E-CIGS!!!
It has come to our attention that the Chicago E-Cig Ban Proposal will be on the agenda again at the City Council meeting this Monday. We managed to generate a very respectable amount of opposition in an extremely short period of time when this was on the agenda in December, and we need an even stronger response this time.
Supporters of the ban are hoping to have the Joint Committee on Health & Environmental Justice & Finance vote on this ordinance on Monday, January 13th at 11:30 AM at City Hall (121 N LaSalle St in Chicago).
It is critically important that Chicago-area vapers and their friends and family contact the Chicago Aldermen by email, by phone, and (if possible) in person. Please share this message with anyone who might share your interest in opposing this e-cigarette ban.
Chicago Residents: We are requesting that you take two simple steps:
(1) Most importantly, please contact your own Alderman on the New Chicago City Council by phone or e-mail. Be sure to note that you live in their district. Find out who represents you here — https://webapps3.cityofchicago.org/StickerOnlineWeb/geoWardLookup.do
(2) Contact the entire City Council to express your opposition (see below for a list of e-mail addresses).
Chicago Residents and Anyone Wishing to Voice Their Opposition: What to Say When Contacting Members of the Chicago City Council
1. Be RESPECTFUL but firm and let them know you ask them to OPPOSE the proposed ordinance to define “smoking” to include use of smoke-free electronic cigarettes.
2. Tell your personal story on how switching to an e-cigarette has changed your life or the life of someone you love.
3. Explain how smoking bans are enacted to protect the public from the harm of secondhand smoke, but that there is currently no credible scientific basis demonstrating that e-cigarettes cause harm to bystanders.
4. Inform them that the ability to use electronic cigarettes in public spaces may actually improve awareness of the alternatives to deadly combustible cigarettes.
5. If the convenience of not being forced to the curb was a motivator in your own decision to switch, be sure to highlight this.
6. Passage of this ban would force you back outside to breathe in secondhand smoke in designated smoking areas. If you don’t want to be exposed to secondhand smoke, or worry that sitting in the outdoor smoking section may tempt you to return to smoking, it is imperative you make that known.
7. Note that this ordinance is so extreme that it would even ban usage in an age-restricted retail e-cigarette store.
Please Ask the Members of the Chicago City Council to OPPOSE the E-Cigarette Usage Ordinance
While e-mails are easier, phone calls will have a larger impact, even if you are simply leaving a message after hours.
Comma delimited email list: ward45@cityofchicago.org, ward34@cityofchicago.org, james.balcer@cityofchicago.org, ward09@cityofchicago.org, ward21@cityofchicago.org, eburke@cityofchicago.org, wburnett@cityofchicago.org, ward04@cityofchicago.org, ward46@cityofchicago.org, ward12@cityofchicago.org, ward24@cityofchicago.org, ward20@cityofchicago.org, ward35@cityofchicago.org, ward38@cityofchicago.org, ward03@cityofchicago.org, ward28@cityofchicago.org, ward02@cityofchicago.org, toni.foulkes@cityofchicago.org, ward29@cityofchicago.org, lhairston@cityofchicago.org, ward08@cityofchicago.org, ward07@cityofchicago.org, ward18@cityofchicago.org, mlaurino@cityofchicago.org, ward26@cityofchicago.org, deb@33rdward.org, emitts@cityofchicago.org, ward49@cityofchicago.org, ward01@cityofchicago.org, ward22@cityofchicago.org, ward40@cityofchicago.org, ward41@cityofchicago.org, ward19@cityofchicago.org, ward48@cityofchicago.org, ameya@chicago47.org, ward10@cityofchicago.org, ward13@cityofchicago.org, ward30@cityofchicago.org, office@ward42chicago.com, ward06@cityofchicago.org, ward50@cityofchicago.org, ward43@cityofchicago.org, daniel.solis@cityofchicago.org, ward36@cityofchicago.org, rsuarez@cityofchicago.org, ward17@cityofchicago.org, joann.thompson@cityofchicago.org, ward44@cityofchicago.org, ward32@cityofchicago.org, mzalewski@cityofchicago.org
For updates, please check out CASAA’s Call to Action or our Facebook page.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Smoque Vapours
2900 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657
773.904.8885
www.smoque.net
