Vapouround magazine ISSUE 17 | Page 97

The FDA is receiving strong pressure from the anti-vape establishment after they all came together to file a lawsuit against the FDA for not acting quicker to implement the deeming rule they first announced on May 5, 2016. In reality, this strategy to file a lawsuit was clearly just a PR stunt because all the FDA did was postpone the required deadlines for vape businesses submitting data about their products (i.e. PMTA). Given the emergence and expansion of American “vape-hate,” the anti-vape establishment has only grown stronger. Public health organisations such as the American Lung Association, tobacco control groups such as the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids, the unparalleled industry of big pharma, US federal government agency the FDA and several others have all joined forces to form a collective conglomerate comprised of many businesses from a number of industries, all who stand to lose a fortune if the vape industry is not dramatically disrupted. THE VAPE INDUSTRY WITHIN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY In late January, the country with the third largest vape market, Malaysia, was directly targeted with the implementation of raids by government officials and pharmaceutical services. All merchandise was confiscated — this is a scenario that could be described by suggesting the private and public sectors collaborating to use tactics reminiscent of smash and grab crimes. However, the early reports on the Malaysian vape industry raids warned that the press would likely be forced to not report on this issue any further. Currently, it appears not much else has been announced since that time. Of course, we know that the world’s leading vape market, the US is being targeted blatantly in the press, yet inconspicuously on a legislative and regulatory scale. Though, I am speculating, I suspect this is because smearing the vape industry reputation is the primary goal. This leaves us with the second largest vape market. Of course, the UK has become the vape-friendly capital of the world. This is due to the logical medical professionals telling the truth of the life- saving properties of vaping in comparison to smoking. So, how do you damage an industry in the one country vaping is actually embraced for its effectiveness and existence? It seems to me, they are attempting to squeeze it out financially. This may all be sociological theory and perhaps just speculation, but the way things have been unfolding over the first half of 2018, this could very well be the plan. Let’s hope this all remains only as speculation. What the UK has done is the noble route to go, rather than regurgitating lies, much like in the “home of the brave” where misinformation is what we crave — following the vapour ways of those who reside in the UK is the most rational approach and ethical play. Regardless, with the unnecessary drama in Malaysia and the outlandish disinformation peddled to the American people, the UK could be left out in the cold. Hopefully, the opposite occurs, but knowing the ways in which the economy operates, it does not seem likely. All in all, most vapers only want to see the vape industry continue thriving and let’s pray it does. Right now, however, it seems that the global vape industry must begin to support one another, unite and ultimately coalesce. The UK may likely have to lead the charge with their vape-friendly ways since it appears that worldwide vapers cannot count on the “land of the free,” where we choose to allow misinformed lies to affect our policy. “THE UK MAY LIKELY HAVE TO LEAD THE CHARGE WITH THEIR VAPE-FRIENDLY WAYS SINCE IT APPEARS THAT WORLDWIDE VAPERS CANNOT COUNT ON THE ‘LAND OF THE FREE’“ VM17 | 97