FEATURE
FEATURE
Vaping Legion
advocates blacklist
success
By Tony Ottomanelli II
To dismiss the advocacy group known as the Vaping Legion by labelling them as a bunch of bullies would also be to misinterpret one of the most valuable assets the vape community can rely on . Basically , for no compensation , this group of hardcore vape advocates does the job everyone else is far too fearful to do .
The Legion work as a team , as a force that is assertive , aggressive , unconventional , intimidating , unapologetic , reasonable , professional , logical and ratherdirect , never beating around the bush . However , their actions certainly influence the industry a great deal .
With the release of their controversial blacklist , the Legion sent a direct , clear message to the industry by calling out e-liquid manufacturers for promoting their products by incorporating their brand name with labels that could appeal to children , or labels that are clear violations of intellectual property rights . What the group demanded was simple . This was not an attack , this was merely a chance for them to offer their advice : for these companies to ultimately rebrand themselves , specifically their e-liquid labels to a more socially acceptable and universally approved featured logo or design . Since the release of the blacklist , the Legion has successfully caused a domino effect of brands following their advice , with a total of 50 e-liquid companies rebranding to include labels that are equipped with a more widely accepted appearance . Still , many vape industry professionals fail to see the relevance of the blacklist and any of the work that the Legion does . Perhaps an explanation directly interpreted and explained from the Legion may help :
Tristan Thompson , Vaping Legion “ Commander ” said :
“ It ’ s not personal , it ’ s survival . Thereare 38.5 million smokers and it is our job , not just the Vaping Legion , but all vapers , to be the vanguards of this industry . To just sit by and allow it to be ruined by something as avoidable as irresponsible labels isn ’ t something I can do . I cannot and will not live with that on my conscience and I know no one in the Legion can either . I keep hearing how we are an adult industry . Then it ’ s time to grow up and be responsible or be cast aside and be sent to your room , just like the customer base you stand charged with marketing to by the FDA and state governments .”
This is a very deep explanation of the circumstances unfolding in the US because state and local governments as well as the federal level represented by the FDA continuously use the child-appealing labels as a visual aid to convince their constituents of just how destructive flavoured e-liquids could be . The argument is that all adults enjoy these flavours too . Okay – yes , this is true . However , the labels should not be something that appeal to kids because inreality what seems like a harmless e-liquid label eventually becomes a source of major weaponry against the industry . What occurs then , is that we all witness political figures holding up a cartoonish , colourfully labelled e-liquid brand while standing at a podium in front of the entire US Congress providing political ammunition to the opposition . If that is not a good enough reason to immediately rebrand your labels , then what will it take ? A flavour ban ?
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