There has been a lot of confusion as to the true requirements of a CCCR 2001 and ECTA compliant label for E-Liquid with and without Nicotine.  For that reason, we have developed and published the standards by which all of our members must comply (given a grace period after initial membership) for all E-Liquid that they sell, be it Wholesale or at the Retail, Online or Brick and Mortar.

Note:  In the course of our ongoing research, the previous standards have been adjusted slightly and members will soon be in alignment with these new standards.  We will continue to update this standard as needed based on requirements of the industry.

Provided on the page are 5 parts or examples of what a label might look like:

1. 10 mL Bottle of 1 × 2 %u215D in. or 2.54 × 6.65 cm with Nicotine
2. 10 mL Bottle of 1 × 2 %u215D in. or 2.54 × 6.65 cm without Nicotine
3. 30 mL Bottle of 1 7/16 × 4 in. or 3.65 × 10.16 cm with Nicotine
4. 30 mL Bottle of 1 7/16 × 4 in. or 3.65 × 10.16 cm without Nicotine
5. A dynamic determination of what is needed based on your label dimensions

The 5th example listed could perhaps be considered "The Holy Grail" of definitions.  That example allows you to enter your own measurements and dynamically generate the requirements for that custom size label.  We believe that part of the reason that there has been such a reluctance by liquid manufacturers to implement CCCR 2001 could be a combination of time required to research what is truly compliant for your size label or simply lack of understanding in the regulation.  We are hopeful that by publishing this Dynamic output of requirements makes the implementation more feasible for everyone.

The link to the Labels page is under the FAQ Menu (All About Labels) above.

The city of Red Deer has decided to make a move against Electronic Cigarettes.  And no, ECTA is not happy about it as reported in this Calgary Herald article: 

A Thursday morning city statement says Red Deer "is clearing the air" on e-cigarettes "in response to questions from members of the community."

"Upon review of its Smoke Free Bylaw, the city has confirmed the bylaw and its definition of 'smoking' apply to 'vaping' — the practice of using an e-cigarette — as well as smoking combustible cigarettes," reads the statement.

The full article can be found here.

Without any solid scientific evidence or regulatory guidence what-so-ever, Red Deer has decided to judge Electronic Cigarettes based solely on appearance and public opinion.  

Public Opinion...  Yes, things DO happen based on Public Opinion and the only way to change that opinion in our favour is by educating those that will listen.  Do not argue with the ANTZ, that is a was of your time but rather speak with those that will listen or are undecided.  "Cloud Chasing" in public spaces because you think you are justified will not win this battle.

"Proper Education and Exposure in an Appropriate Setting."

Public opinion MATTERS and if they don't know what they're seeing, they WILL judge you on perception using emotion (visualize a smoker, and the smell -- Pretty bad, eh?). CHANGE that perception with facts, but using persuasion over aggression and defiance. Educate yourself AND the public!

You are no longer a "Second Class Citizen" and you HAVE a VOICE! Use it wisely...

The Playback, Minutes and Chat Log from the Stakeholder Public Meeting which was held on May 29, 2014 can be found HERE.

There were some technical difficulties around people not being able to connect, hear or speak during the meeting for which we apologize.  Hopefully we will either have the issues resolved or a different platform for the next meeting.

We appreciate the participation and feedback we have been getting and look forward to our next meeting.

"These products could be among the most significant health innovations of the 21st century — perhaps saving hundreds of millions of lives. The urge to control and suppress them as tobacco products should be resisted," the experts wrote.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/e-cigarettes-could-save-hundreds-of-millions-of-lives-scientists-tell-who-1.2658080

As a follow up to the Warning that has been issued to the World Health Organization (WHO) by a group of 53 leading scientists, a Media Release posted with references and the actual letter that was sent to the WHO.

http://www.ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php/2013-04-07-09-50-07/2014/164-who-ecigs

Reuters - Ben Hirschler, Senior Correspondent, London, reports on a Warning that has been issued to the World Health Organization (WHO) by a group of 53 leading scientists.  That warning stresses that should the WHO continue with their direction toward classification of Electronic Cigarettes as a tobacco product, they would jeopardize a major opportunity to slash disease and deaths caused by smoking.

Read the full article here:  http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/28/us-health-ecigarettes-idUSKBN0E82IX20140528

Thursday May 29th, 9pm ET/6pm PT

This will be general discussions in an open forum for the general public Stakeholders in the Electronic Cigarette Industry.  The Stakeholders include any Vendors, Consumers, related Organizations alike that wish to attend.

Please see details below on how to connect. 

RULES for the conference (which will be Canada wide): 

1. ECTA will facilitate the meeting. If you call in by phone, you will be responsible for your own telephone fees. there is no fee to connect with Facebook or other online method. 
2. Only one person should speak at a time. There is a running chat board on the right hand side of the UBERCONFERENCE screen, so you can chat direct responses during the meeting, and give input when and where you want. 
3. Please keep your own input to a few minutes - so others can speak. 

UBERCONFERENCE CONNECTION DETAILS: (if there are any changes to the PIN number for this call - we will re-release it here 24 hours before the meeting)

You may join the call either by telephone on from your computer (using your microphone/speakers).

To join by telephone, (I know, it's a lot of dialling but it is better than Skype.):

• Call this number within Canada: (647) 694-4842  *LD May apply
• Enter the Uberconference Number #: 701 566 0966#
• Enter the Pin #: 34288

To join from your computer:

• With your web browser, go to - http://www.uberconference.com/ecta
• You can login using Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn or create an account but you are not required to do so.
• We would prefer that you DO login using one of the methods so that we who we are speaking with
• If you do not wish to login, click the "No thanks, I'll skip" link
• Enter the Conference Pin #: 34288

If the Meeting Organizer has not yet joined the call, you will hear music (actually quite entertaining music at that) until they do.

ECTA will be holding a hosted CALL TO ACTION for Canadians concerned about the FDA's deeming regulations, and the ripple effects we're anticipating they will have here.

Thursday May 8th, 9pm ET/6pm PT

There are things we can do. There are steps we can take. We have a few ideas and some of you have a few ideas. Let's put our heads together and see what comes out of that. Together, let's do something.

Please see details below on how to connect. 

RULES for the conference (which will be Canada wide): 

1. ECTA will facilitate the meeting and will be paying for the UBERCONFERENCE room rental (yes, it costs). If you call in by phone, you will be responsible for your own telephone fees. there is no fee to connect with Facebook or other online method. 
2. Only one person should speak at a time. There is a running chat board on the right hand side of the UBERCONFERENCE screen, so you can chat direct responses during the meeting, and give input when and where you want. 
3. Please keep your own input to a few minutes - so others can speak. 

UBERCONFERENCE CONNECTION DETAILS: (if there are any changes to the PIN number for this call - we will re-release it here 24 hours before the meeting)

You may join the call either by telephone on from your computer (using your microphone/speakers).

To join by telephone, (I know, it's a lot of dialling but it is better than Skype.):

• Call this number within Canada: (647) 694-4842
• Enter the Uberconference Number #: 701 566 0966#
• Enter the Pin #: 28412

To join from your computer:

• With your web browser, go to - http://www.uberconference.com/ecta
• You can login using Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn or create an account but you are not required to do so.
• We would prefer that you DO login using one of the methods so that we who we are speaking with
• If you do not wish to login, click the "No thanks, I'll skip" link
• Enter the Conference Pin #: 28412

If the Meeting Organizer has not yet joined the call, you will hear music (actually quite entertaining music at that) until they do.

ECTA is reviewing the deails of the FDA Regulation on Electronic Cigarettes to formulate a position but at this point the opinion is that we do NOT support this form of stringent regulation as it will (as with the medicinal clasification opininion of the Health Canada) effectively eliminate all useful electronic cigaretts within two years.  These types of restrictions will NOT benefit the industry or public health.

ECTA was quoted in a news story that ran on April 24th and then again by the same network on April 26th by indicating that ECTA was in support of Canada adapting the FDA position.  That is not ECTA's position and we are dealing with that.

To be clear, we do not support this form of regulation and are further reviewing the details of the regulations.

For more details on what the regulations include, the CASAA (Consumer Advocates for Smoke-free Alternatives Association) has released an assessment of the regulations which can be found here:  CASAA Assessment of FDA Deeming Regulation, April 25, 2014

This is an audio interview performed by Tommy Schnurmacher with Dr. Gaston Ostiguy, medical director of the Smoking Cessation Clinic at the Montreal Chest Institute on why he thinks electronic cigarettes with nicotine should be available here in Canada.

Key Points:

• Group of Doctors advocating for E-Cigarettes in Canada
• Electronic Cigarettes with or without nicotine are not illegal
• Nicotine does not cause cancer
• Nicotine is addictive but is not causing any illness
• The problem is that it needs to be regulated
• 70-75% of people want to stop smoking
• There is virtually no second hand effect
• Would like the industry to coordinate efforts with physicians for success
• Electronic Cigarettes are SERIOUS Harm Reduction, It doesn't compare

https://soundcloud.com/tommy-schnurmacher-show/dr-gaston-ostiguy-of-the

ECTA will be having a Public Open Forum meeting on Wednesday, March 12th at 9p ET/6p PT.

This meeting is open to the public with a relatively informal agenda during which we will open the floor to questions. The meeting will be limited to one hour.

You may join the call either by telephone on from your computer (using your microphone/speakers).

To join by telephone, (I know, it's a lot of dialling but it is better than Skype.):

• Call this number within Canada:  (647) 694-4842
• Enter the Uberconference Number #:  701 566 0966#
• Enter the Pin #:  10918

To join from your computer:

• With your web browser, go to - http://www.uberconference.com/ecta
• You can login using Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn or create an account but you are not required to do so.
• We would prefer that you DO login using one of the methods so that we who we are speaking with
• If you do not wish to login, click the "No thanks, I'll skip" link
• Enter the Conference Pin #:  10918

If the Meeting Organizer has not yet joined the call, you will hear music (actually quite entertaining music at that) until they do.

We look forward to your participation!

If you have any questions before or after the meeting, we can always be reached at info@ectaofcanada.com.

A public survey was performed in the UK in the wake of threats to Ban Electronic Cigarettes.  The results are not that surprising as well, similar results would likely be recorded in Canada if they persue a Ban of the devices.  The questions posed for the survey were simple and to the point:

1. If you could no longer buy electronic cigarettes, would you return to traditional tobacco cigarettes?
2. If you couldn’t buy refillable ‘Tank’ style electronic cigarettes , but you could still buy the traditional looking ‘cigalike’ style electronic cigarettes, would you return to tobacco cigarettes?
3. If eliquid was unavailable from regulated sellers, would you be prepared to buy eliquid on the black market?
4. Would you change your vote to protect your right to use electronic cigarettes?
5. If the EU pushed ahead with a ban or restrictions on ecigarettes, would you be more likely to vote against membership of the EU?
6. Why do you think the EU commission wants to ban ecigs?

We have posted this link in our Information Section under Surveys but the source article can be found here:  

http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2014/02/eu-ecig-ban-return-smoking.html

In December of 2013, ECTA chartered a study using Enthalpy Labs, a Health Canada accredited facility which measured the amount of nicotine that an Electronic Cigarette user would receive when using various current generation devices and the highest strength E-Liquid level permitted at the retail level by an ECTA Member.

The summary and full study have been released and can be found here:  http://ectaofcanada.com/pubs/nicyieldstudy.php

There were three primary purposes for the nicotine yield study:

1. To compare and determine the efficiency of nicotine delivery for modern e-cigarette devices on the Canadian Market.
2. To verify that electronic cigarettes are exempt from the prescription drug list (formerly Sched. F) of the Food and Drugs Act.
3. To determine the viability of current technology as suitable for medical device classification.

Dr. Farsalinos continues his research on Electronic Cigarettes by publishing "a systematic review of all studies on the safety and risk profile of e-cigarettes. A total of 114 studies are referenced in this paper, with 97 directly related to e-cigarettes or their ingredients."

A "study of studies", as it were, is the thing from which solid evidence and conclusions can be drawn.

Full details and a link to the study can be found here:  http://ecigarette-research.com/web/index.php/research/2014/153-ecig-review

Discussions around the following topcs:

• Publication format for finalized ECTA Position Statement 
• Public Results Summary presentation of the Nicotine Yield Study
• Scheduling for the next public forum
• Member Pre-audit checkpoint items
• Scheduling for the next members meeting

Additional details to follow...