They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shuttin...

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

The logic of the CPSIA, which I am just starting to delve into, is baffling me.

We know there are 38,000 harmful carcinogens in a single cigarette, and they kill people. Millions a year in fact. Yet they won't be recalled. They are allowed to be sold.

How many kids have died from an etsy item, or any other similar across U.S.? As far as I can tell, zero, or next to zero. How many kids get lead poisoning a year from items? I'm sure its under a hundred. (I'm checking on this.)

This CPSIA is so off-base. It's a giant profiteering scam using lead poisoning as an excuse, and the public is buying into it, because of course, we all want kids to be safe. But WHY NOT GO AFTER CIGARETTES FIRST?

Just my three cents for now-
Kristin

Coolstraps · ‎03-01-2009

It's all about the money...

AnnieHowes · ‎03-01-2009

Because we already have laws against children smoking cigarettes? And drinking beer? And buying fat markers? So now they can't own handmade.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

Agreed, second hand smoke is known to be a problem - who is protecting the children from that?

LaurieRyan · ‎03-01-2009

Good point, especially considering my exhusband and the father of my son just died from a smoking induced illness!

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

please...I like my cigs....I smoke outside....all alone....I don't bother anyone

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

artsalley789 says:
please...I like my cigs....I smoke outside....all alone....I don't bother anyone
------

I think their point is that they are allowing something to be sold, which is known to cause illness and kill people, yet they have such strong restrictions on childrens products, which are virtually harmless

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

Actually, I think the point stinks.

It is just this type of thinking that takes the power of the people away.

Scare tactics and false data to support the scare, brings with it regulation and freedoms stripped away.

I am an American. I want to make my on decisions. I do not want the government or well meaning special interest groups to tell me what I can or can not do.

We have our Constitution and our Bill of Rights. These must be observed in ALL of our laws.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

PS, good for you for smoking alone, there are many that appreciate that I'm sure. However, I can't tell you how many times I see parents smoking with their kids in the back seat, or worse, smoking while pushing a stroller.

But again, I don't think this was so much meant to be a topic on anti-smoking, just where the priorities are with the safety of our children.

JooSweetie · ‎03-01-2009

Politicians saw the opportunity and they turn the good intention into their own interest..big pocket of gold coins.
Why they wouldn't pull all the high fructose corn syrup food which contained mercury out of shelves?

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

I know... it makes absolutely no logical sense to me.

LittleBitsChic · ‎03-01-2009

You are so right what i think is so unfair is that most small businesses aren't the ones that the govt needs to be concerned about it is the Walmarts etc. that purchase items made in China.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

To clarify- I'm not judging anyone who smokes, I was a pharmaceutical sales rep and I sold anti-smoking products to help people who wanted to quit. And it's so hard to do!

During my training I learned how lethal cigarettes are. And they continue to be available AS IS instead of being modified so they are less harmful.

My point is, they don't even touch the issue that these can be made safer or at all- they are focusing on something so frivolent in comparison.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

Flying -- I think that was easily understandable... why is it still legal for cigarette companies to sell a product that CLEARLY causes early death, disease, etc... but small business are really under fire. I think you were really clear on that.

WhiteMagickAlchemy · ‎03-01-2009

Makes no sense does it! I smoke and I wish they would make cigs illegal! That way I could quit! Its the hardest thing to do and frankly, its kinda pissing me off ~

<--------no matter what she tries, it just doens't work out the ways she plans

bobbinalong · ‎03-01-2009

I am 71. All my life my parents smoked. It was the common, the ordinary thing to do. No one ever thought a thing about it. There are things people do today that are harmful, over-eating for one, but it is their normal daily pattern. They don't really focus on it that much.

But this CPSIA I see differently. As I have said repeatedly, it is a good law. None of us want to see a child harmed in any way by something that they should never be exposed to in the first place. I make my items carefully, try to make them quality items. I have sewed all my life and that has been my goal since day one.

But my problem with this law is this. In America, we all have always had the right to make something handmade and sell it. It has always been a way of earning extra money to meet our needs. I have always done that. Now, with this law, and the direction it is headed in, I won't be able to sell without testing and certification. I can't afford the testing. I can't get my items to a testing facility if I could afford it. I feel this law deprives me having the freedom to sell a quality item. It strips Americans of being able to use their American ingenuity and abilities to produce items and sell them. It takes away our American right to sell.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

I think it just is being pointed out that cigarettes are something that's harmful, that's still allowed to be sold (back then, it was what everyone just did, b/c no one knew it was harmful... even doctors/nurses smoked in hospitals). Now we know it's bad for you... but it's still legal. It's sort of like "why are we being scrutanized for something we're NOT doing, when cigarette companies are still manufactoring a product that is very harmful"? It's just not right.

I don't want kids to be hurt, and think they do need to play/wear/use safe items... but cigarette companies have been selling this harmful product for decades, and still nothing is done about that. With this law, the small-biz people that are generally not doing anything wrong, are going to lose out.... and so are the children.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

sorry, i think cigarettes and handmade are two different things. i think it's just about the right to sell. we also have the right to consume (cigarettes or whatever else it might be)...

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

"But this CPSIA I see differently. As I have said repeatedly, it is a good law."

I disagree. It's a very good idea. But it's a terrible law. Poorly thought out, poorly written and ultimately it will harm many and help few if it isn't drastically changed, modified or scrapped and re-written.

Once again our legislators acted to benefit only their vote count without critically analizing the true effect of the law they wanted to pass. There is no argument from me about protecting our children but when so many people are involved perhaps it's time our legislators started thinking beyond the next election.

Save the children is a valiant battle cry but I'm thinking that in this case rather than saving children they are taking the bread out of the mouths of children. I expect more from our legislators and I am so frequently disappointed.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

You see, this statement, why is it legal for "companies to sell a product that CLEARLY causes early death, disease, etc."

is exactly what the special interest groups have said about lead and shoved those thoughts down the throat of the public and congress.

So the public says, "I don't give a flying hoot about small business or large - we can't have any lead in children's products." And congress makes a sweeping law.

When there is an agenda, facts and logic go out the window. Real statistics do not show that lead is dangerous in all its many shapes and forms to children or adults. Real statistics don't even show a need for such GREAT alarm concerning lead in children's products that would initiate the CPSIA.

There has been two cases in the past 10 years of children harmed by a product that was swallowed that contained lead. One child sadly died. The other child was diagnosed and recovered.

Considering the millions of children in the US, does two incidents involving lead justify the extremity of this sweeping law?

1000 children a year drown. Should we not ban water?

by the way, real statistics don't prove the second hand smoke bit either. They hardly prove the first hand smoke theory.

George Burns, 100 years when he died, smoked like a banshee.

Fred Astaire smoked and tap danced well into his 90s

Groucho Marx, another 90 year old chain smoker

and the list goes on.

Candles, fireplaces, campfires, cooking - forget it all, because they all produce smoke.

Smoke is Bad! Lead is Bad!
yes, in some instances and in certain levels, but logic and facts should be the basis for our decisions as well as our opposition, but especially our LAWS.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

If they outlaw smoking, they'll never get to collect all that money from cig manufacturers and taxes from smokers.

The CPSIA was set up so they could fine businesses more...effectively. That's it. Gov'ts do not have the capacity to "care". You can see the results of it with this stupid legislation.

They exist to collect and spend our money. It has no other purpose. The constitution just gets in their way now.

Former_Member · ‎03-01-2009

One of my suppliers is now out of business. I bought children's fleece jackets from the to embroider (non-etsy business) and they no longer are there :( I am finding it harder and harder to find simple fleece jackets to embroider at an affordable cost.

I wonder how much is due to this CPSIA laws??

Former_Member · ‎03-02-2009

Well, at least cigarettes will be more expensive for the smoker come April 1st. The federal tax on the individual pack price will almost triple, from 39 cents a pack to almost $1.01.

April Fool's.........not!

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/02/11/ap6041070.html

Also, Fifteen states, including Arkansas, are considering raising their cigarette taxes.

Arkansans may just cross state lines for their cigarettes if their tax rises, however, because two neighboring states have the nation's lowest cigarette taxes. Mississippi charges 18 cents a pack and Missouri 17 cents.

Arkansas' proposed 56-cent increase, which already passed the state House, would pay for a statewide trauma system and a host of expanded health programs. Lindblom dismissed Mathe's claim that the increase "unfairly burdens a small group."

"They are killing those people and making them suffer and live horribly sick and disabled lives," Lindblom said. "For them to have this kind of sympathy for them on a monetary level when they don't care they are harming people enormously by their aggressive marketing of their product is two-faced and shameful."

Former_Member · ‎03-02-2009

Great info beading tree!

Former_Member · ‎03-02-2009

I can't tell you how much i completely agree with you about the cigarettes.

It just baffles me, it really does. I almost feel like Ive missed half the story, because it just DOES NOT make sense.

And as for the cigarettes and this is off topic- the tax from it goes to the govt, which in turn spend that money on CANCER TREATMENTS etc. its insane.

I lost a father to smoking, ive seen what it does.

They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?

Re: They won't recall cigarettes, but they are shutting down small crafters?