When you combine those two together , a lot of them are predisposed to think it ’ s negative .” Dimitri networks with politicians to educate them on what vaping actually is to help dispel the myths . His goal is to provide them with the most current information as well as hard facts about harm reduction . By making connections and building rapport , he can get into meetings and challenge political minds that may be predisposed to certain opinions . And it seems that some politicians , at least , are listening . “ What I ’ ve found is that a lot of the politicians I talk to , once I am able to sit down at a table with them along with my lobbying team , they start to look at it with different eyes . It makes them pause before making a decision that ’ s going to affect the industry .” Tennessee remains one of the few states without harsh bans or regulations for vapers . Is this likely to change following flavour bans in states like Massachusetts or New York ? “ We are fortunate that we are a red state here and there is a bit more freedom for businesses . Attempts have been made to bring in flavour bans , taxation and regulations to lump us in with cigarettes . So far , Tennessee has absolutely zero restrictions , flavour bans or taxation . We don ’ t anticipate that coming in the next year . We are going to see some taxation because of COVID-19 which will
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I really believe this product can change the population as a whole
“ create a budget shortfall .” Between a successful Platform Series and Zenith tank , travel , several podcasts and Youtube channels combined with advocacy and activism work through the TSFA , Dimitri doesn ’ t appear to stop . He has the Pre-Market Tobacco Applications ( PMTA ) deadline coming up in September , hopefully more travel as more and more places open up and , of course , the fulltime job of raising two daughters . But when he believes in the product , it ’ s a balance that he will find a way to maintain . “ I truly believe in vaping because I have a personal connection to it . I regret that vaping wasn ’ t around in the 60s or 70s because my father could have used it and would still be around instead of dying at the age of 39 when I was just 2 . I really believe this product can change the population as a whole .”
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