Massachusetts House votes to ban all flavored tobacco products -- including menthol -- and to tax e-cigarettes 75%

Sprkslfly · November 16, 2019, 8:23am

Not nearly as verbose as Raven, but sometimes, once in a blue moon, reddit really applies to hit the mark (in this case with their comments on Mass. government):

Pretty much sums it up IMO.
ROFLMAO

natbone · November 16, 2019, 10:47am

My second ex-wife was from Salem…and guess what she turned out to be.

Sprkslfly · November 16, 2019, 12:44pm

A duck?
Because she floats?
Because she was made of wood?
lol

natbone · November 16, 2019, 1:40pm

A synchronized swimmer…and a raving lunatic.

muth · November 17, 2019, 1:56am

My sentiments exactly. I like to think of myself as a peace loving individual until…it comes to injustice. And when i perceive injustice I will lose my mind as well as my life. I’ll give it all. Some may not understand what vaping means to me, but damn, I’ll fight!

muth · November 17, 2019, 2:00am

Alrighty now…Today I received my Gas mods RDA from eBargainVapes, distributing from NJ and CA. My package arrived from CA. It arrived suspiciously, according to my paranoid MA mindset.

So, I’m thinking the package was opened. It was very easy to open myself. I’ve never received a package with this warning tape around it. Since I didn’t have to sign for it, it was delivered this way exactly. This is what they would have found in it. Do you think they even know what this is? The back of the box gives some info. Bottom line is I received it and the box itself wasn’t opened. What do you make of this?

muth · November 17, 2019, 2:08am

Well, they say 3rd’s a charm. Good luck, natbone. IMHO, stay single. At least, stop signing marriage contracts.

Raven-Knightly · November 17, 2019, 2:14am

I might be wrong, but that does not look like a label that USPS would have placed on your parcel. (Perhaps) the shipper affixed it (something that might be checked). If you did not have to “sign” for the package, it’s fair to assume that you are NOT in danger. When USPS is involved in law enforcement attempts to “nail” people receiving “contraband” (when such things have been discovered by inspectors, and the packaging has been re-closed), it involves “delivery persons” who you have never before seen who seek to get a signature from the recipient. I strongly doubt that such is the case. As well - other than perhaps a state sales tax owed (by seller or buyer), it appears (correct me if I am wrong) that the 75% tax is still in the legislative (the pre-law) stages. (I, myself) would rest easy on the event that you describe (but educate yourself as to possible future concerns in your state surrounding such inter-state purchases). Wise to avoid run-ins with “the enfarcers”.

.

Here is an account for what happens when USPS becomes involved in an actual “controlled delivery”.

Here is another information source. Private shipping carriers (not incl. USPS) also involve themselves in “controlled deliveries”. The private carriers all include within their “terms and conditions of service” full rights to open any parcel that they are handling in transit. On the other hand, parcels that are transported in the US Mail require due legal process (including a warrant being issued, etc) before any parcel can be opened (with the exception of the less expensive “media mail”, which they may open per USPS “terms and conditions”).

Regarding international mail (in general, with domestic USA USPS recipients only having some rights of due US legal process), this U.N. document (1983) provided some information as to policies and procedures.

muth · November 17, 2019, 2:17am

Thank you for the possibility of hope. After using your link I was googled fu’d into discovering this…

muth · November 17, 2019, 2:22am

Thx again for your even keeled thinking. I appreciate your engaging with me on this because, right now, I’m not in a good place to handle these outrageous politics. I can rest a little bit easier tonight.

Raven-Knightly · November 17, 2019, 2:25am

Note, in my quoting of Charlton Heston, I am not implying that these things come close to justifying ANY level of “violent resistance”. Nor (IMO), are these things worth getting in any serious legal troubles over. You are among a very large group of residents in the same “boat”. It’s hard to imagine that the state (in any manner) has (or could or will) employ significant enfarcement resources. Keeping a “low profile” seems (to me) the best practice. (Regardless of whether a forum server exists inside or outside USA), as legal restrictions are implemented, one might be wise to not document private actions in public venues. Those who do not make scrutiny upon them “easier” (probably) will be left alone. Too many people for widespread enfarcement.

muth · November 17, 2019, 2:43am

Right again. I will not provoke violence upon me, I promise. Just saying, if I happen to be minding my own business and the winds of oppression descend upon me, I’ll blow back like crazy! Thx again, Raven. I do need to be talked down by someone levelheaded sometimes.

Raven-Knightly · November 17, 2019, 2:57am

(I would) “wait and see” what eventually may in the end actually transpire in your state and locality. It (may) turn out that utilizing (discoverable upon inspection) “contraband” in locations that are in public view (may, possibly) be a wise thing to avoid. Remember that a large so-called “criminal underclass” (being users of prohibited and criminalized drugs) has existed in this society for longer than we have been alive, and most have survived, nonetheless. Discretion may be the better part of valor. (Likely) nobody who has resorted to violence over such related matters does not (in retrospect) regret such decisions made “in the moment”.

muth · November 17, 2019, 3:03am

This will be my daily mantra during these times.

muth · November 17, 2019, 3:14am

'nite Raven. Peaceful dreams

natbone · November 17, 2019, 4:45pm

Number 3 has lasted 21 years. When I’m asked why I’ve been married 3 times I always reply, “Because I’m not a quitter.”

natbone · November 17, 2019, 4:48pm

This should go over well in the Muslim countries.

T-Ristan · November 17, 2019, 6:20pm

“…where oil or water with Nicotine or THC is inhaled…”

Yeah okay.

Raven-Knightly · November 21, 2019, 7:29am

(November 20, 2019):

“Massachusetts Moves to Ban Flavored Tobacco Products, Including Menthol”

Massachusetts has moved a step closer to banning all flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products, including menthol cigarettes, amid a national push to contend with the risks of vaping.

The State Senate followed the House late Wednesday in passing a sweeping ban, which, if signed into law, would make Massachusetts the first state in the nation to bar all flavored vaping and tobacco products. Other states were said to be closely watching the outcome in Massachusetts. …

… different versions of the measure from the Democratic-led House and Senate were expected to be reconciled before the bill is sent to the desk of Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican. Governor Baker has not said whether he would sign it. …

… In addition to banning flavored e-cigarettes and tobacco products, the bill would impose an excise tax on e-cigarettes, require insurers to cover tobacco cessation counseling and nicotine replacement therapies like gum and patches, and would restrict higher-level nicotine products to 21-and-over stores.

.

Dr Michael Siegel (November 20, 2019):

Anyone who thought the Massachusetts state Senate’s probable passage of a bill tonight that will ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and menthol tobacco cigarettes is motivated by a pure desire to protect kids and reduce tobacco-related diseases is mistaken. The supporters of this legislation showed their true colors tonight by rejecting an amendment that would have required that the state allocate a mere 10% of the money it receives from the Master Settlement Agreement to smoking prevention / cessation progs.

It was quite a sight to witness. Senator after senator got up and spoke about how terrible smoking is and how we have to protect kids from tobacco and nicotine and fight Big Tobacco and their devious tactics. And then, they used a classic Big Tobacco tactic themselves from voting to continue the diversion of nearly 100% of the Master Settlement Agreement money to non-tobacco-related causes.

It seems disingenuous to me to put on a grand political show about how much you care about the problem of tobacco use and smoking and nicotine addiction and how much we need to protect kids from Big Tobacco and its deceptive tactics and then to follow that up by immediately using a classic Big Tobacco strategy yourself and by refusing to put your money where your mouth is by adequately funding smoking prevention and cessation programs in the state.

To be honest, I stood motionless and in shock as I watched the roll called and senator after senator voted to continue the diversion of MSA funding. Ironically, it was mostly Democratic senators who voted against the amendment and Republican senators who voted for the amendment, which was sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr (R - First Essex and Middlesex).

Source:

Raven-Knightly · December 12, 2019, 11:41pm

Dr Michael Siegel (Excerpts from his December 12, 2019 publishing):

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) proclaimed to residents of the Commonwealth that it has no idea what is causing the outbreak of respiratory illness that has affected more than 2,000 people and killed 47 throughout the country.

The proclamation came on a day when the Public Health Council voted to rescind the emergency order that banned the sale of all e-cigarettes in the state.

According to an article in Boston Magazine , the Department of Public Health told reporters: “We don’t understand what is causing these illnesses. From a public health point of view, we cannot recommend that anybody use vaping or e-cigarette products at this time.”

In a press release issued by DPH yesterday, it stated: “The cause of e-cigarette or vaping-associated lung injury (EVALI) remains unknown and under investigation at both the state and federal level. The Department of Public Health recommends that people not use e-cigarettes or vaping products.”

Source: “The Height of Irresponsibility: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tells Public the Cause of Respiratory Disease Outbreak is Unknown”