I am a wife a mother and a grandmother. I started smoking when I was thirteen. I smoked between three quarters to a full pack a day, for forty years. I am now approaching fifty-six years old. I successfully quit smoking on January 20, 2012, only because I finally found a simple product that helped me to successfully quit. That product is, liquid nicotine and the various forms of electronic vaporizing nicotine delivery devices. I had tried for many years to quit and I used every FDA product, method, and support group known. I failed each time. Patches, Gum, Lozenges, Chantix, Wellbutrin, Hypnosis, Acupuncture, Support Groups, etc … did not give me the extra help I needed to walk away from cigarettes. Until my breathing became so labored and by developing COPD, out of desperation I went back to using Chantix and Welbutrin Although Chantix did help suppress the urge to smoke, it also suppressed my overall happiness and although Welbutrin kept my anxiety levels at bay, I became severely depressed. I had devastating nightmares. I cried all the time. I nearly lost my marriage. I nearly lost my life. I felt no need to go on because everything seemed so hopeless….. ALL of the time. My doctor ordered me to stop taking Chantix. I continued with Welbutrin and continued smoking, getting sicker and sicker. Soon after I stopped the Chantix I found a gas station type e-cig. I tried it. I bought more of them in the strongest nicotine strength I could find. Within a few days, I no longer lit up cigarettes. I vaporized liquid nicotine instead. Soon, I graduated and stepped up to more elaborate devices which allowed me to control the amount of vapor and the amount of nicotine. I vaporized delicious flavored eliquids that brought me satisfaction. Flavors of fruits and candies and desserts and delightful beverages, AND over time, I stepped down the amount of nicotine I was vaporizing. I am proud to say, today I am at near zero nicotine and I did this successfully by using various delicious flavored eliquids and various vaporizing devices. I continue my new hobby now because it still satisfies that craving and curbs my anxiety. I no longer use any anxiety medications. I continue to vape delicious flavors and use beautifully crafted hardware and devices. This new technology has also created a new industry. Many devices are being created and with each new generation of device comes a newer technology and design. Yes, we do want regulations that guarantee our liquids are clean and safe. Through simple inspections and testing, we can be assured that the eliquids we inhale are safe. Yes we do want regulations that guarantee our devices are safe and durable. By setting guide lines and invoking warranties, we can be assured that our devices are safe and durable. Yes we do want each and every person to learn and know how to safely use these devices. Required instruction or lessons, so new vapers will safely use their devices. Yes we do absolutely encourage all liquid nicotine to be used and stored safely. Mandatory warning labels. No we do NOT want the tobacco companies to take over this industry. Because they have the necessary wealth to apply for future FDA ruled eliquid applications, they will be the only companies to afford to produce eliquids. as the ruling is written now. Because the FDA is planning to rule that future eliquid producers file an outrageously over priced application for each flavor ingredient of every blended final flavor and each milligram of nicotine of every different level of eliquid, the present eliquid producers will definitely not be able to afford to make eliquid, period. This ruling will end their business and it will force millions of already established vapers to go underground to either buy unapproved, possibly dangerous eliquids or attempt to make their own. It will also place ALL future eliquid production in the hands of the tobacco companies. We already know ‘some’ of what they have put in tobacco cigarettes!!! Imagine what they will put in eliquids? I will not choose to buy FDA approved, tobacco company eliquids. I have spent the past forty years trying to escape from big tobacco. I will NOT fall into their clutches ever again. Please, make the applications affordable so all who apply, can AFFORD to continue to create delicious eliquids, to further our quest to help smokers quit, through vaping eliquid, instead of smoking cigarettes. Instead of forcing the smaller eliquid vendors out of business, place regulations on their product for inspections, and their labs for inspections and their labeling and advertising appropriate. No we do not want ecig products to be classed as tobacco products. By classing as tobacco products, ecig products will fall into that deep dark pit of smoke and ash. There is no smoke, there is no ash. There is no tar. There is no carbon monoxide. The over four thousand plus chemicals, are NOT present. YES we do want ecig products to be classed as VAPOR products. As vapor products, we lose that tobacco stigma and open a new door for new vapers and allow present vapers to continue with out heavy taxation and usage bans. By classing correctly, ALL adults will be able to continue the journey away from deadly combustible tobacco. All who choose this harm reducing alternative will be able to still afford and still enjoy the many satisfying flavors of eliquids, to help enable them to quit smoking. Finally, YES, we all support banning sales to minors unless approved by parent or guardian. We can enforce strict laws and stiff fines for those who break it. Since I quit smoking and vape instead, I can breath now with out laboring. I can climb steps and walk my dog without gasping for air. I can play with my grandchildren. My husband and I have rekindled our relationship. My house, hair, clothes, hands, car, EVERYTHING smell nice again. Because I can breath and function again, I can also exercise and am getting more healthy every day. I can go back to work and be an active tax payer!!! I no longer am dependent on drugs to quell my nicotine withdrawals. I no longer feel hopeless. I am HAPPY again. I no longer take mind altering drugs to stop the urge to smoke and I don’t smoke. I vape. Please, accept and and support and EMBRACE this new life saving technology. Imagine if we had vaporized liquid nicotine products fifty years ago? Imagine how many loved ones, how many millions would have lived longer, healthier, happier? I thank you for your time reading my testimony. It is written from my now healthier heart, from my pleasant smelling fingers, and my happy smiling face 🙂 Paula Proctor Cumberland, RI 02864