US

House Expected to Grill Executives of Nation’s Five Largest Vaping Companies

Published

4 years ago

November 20, 2020

By Personal Injury Attorney Jacob Kimball of Springs Law Group

Democrat Diana DeGette of California wants answers from the vaping industry. She says that no one knows how vaping affects the health of users and that, as a result, consumers are left in the dark. Meanwhile, vape companies rake in billions of dollars and have attracted a new generation of youths into a potentially lifelong addiction to nicotine.

This hearing is seen as one of Congress’ latest attempts in probing the growing vaping market. Congress’s prior examinations into the market include several vaping-related hearings last year as well as raising the federal minimum age for vaping to 21.

DeGette is the chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce oversight and investigations subcommittee. She has called to testify executives from five of the nation’s largest e-cigarette companies, which represent 97 percent of the country’s $19.3 billion vaping industry. These five companies include Juul, Logic, NJOY, Fontem, and Reynolds American, many of which have been the subject of prior congressional investigations regarding their marketing and business practices potentially targeting young people.

Thousands of individuals – many of them children and young adults – suffered serious personal injuries last year during a rash of vape-related illnesses, which caused dozens of deaths. The subcommittee is seeking information about how the companies’ marketing efforts have played a role in the teen vaping epidemic, as well as what known health risks their products may pose to users.

In response to this crisis, the Trump Administration (administration) released a new policy that at least temporarily banned some of the most popular vape pod-based flavors – fruit and mint – but leaving both tobacco and menthol flavors unregulated. However, there is concern that mint simply may be relabeled as menthol in some cases.

Further, many vape products remain on the market: disposable vape pens, open tank devices, and e-liquids available in vape shops. In essence, says Matt Myers, President of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the administration’s rule leaves a gaping hole through which vulnerable populations can still access vape products. As a result, there has been a growing concern that young people will resort to using other disposable and cartridge-based products as a way to find similar sweet flavors.

Meredith Berkman of Parents Against Vaping E-Cigarettes says that kids continue to use disposable vape products in sweet flavors that are thought to lure children into the market. She emphasizes the risk of personal injury to adolescents newly hooked on a nicotine product with poorly understood health impacts.

Federal data shows that middle and high school students are particularly at risk of becoming addicted to vaping and the nicotine it provides. Over the course of 30 days, more than five million of these young people admit to using vape products at least once.

Starting in May of 2020, the administration’s new rule requires companies to get approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration to sell their vape products and to prove that they provide a public health benefit. However, critics fear that the argument used to sell vaping in the first place, i.e., that it’s healthier than smoking cigarettes, may allow these products back on the market.

US

Creating Safe Havens: Inside Genesis USA’s Vision for Inclusive Housing

Published

3 weeks ago

December 3, 2024

Jimmy Lerner

Photo Courtesy of GenesisUSA

GenesisUSA, a nonprofit based in Arlington, Texas, works to improve the lives of disabled veterans and children who have lost their parents. Led by Charles Ford, the organization goes beyond providing financial aid. It focuses on long-term solutions, like building wheelchair-accessible homes, to support independence and dignity for those in need. With rising housing costs and growing inequality, GenesisUSA’s mission addresses a critical gap.

Ford and his team create supportive environments that help promote self-reliance in underserved communities. As a smaller, community-based organization, it addresses challenges that can be difficult for larger organizations to manage. Its work shows how local initiatives can make a noticeable difference.

A Growing Crisis: The Need for Accessible Housing

The demand for affordable and accessible housing continues to grow. A 2023 report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that more than 11 million U.S. households need homes with accessibility features. This challenge is more pronounced for disabled veterans, with nearly four million living in homes that do not meet their physical needs.

“Our veterans have sacrificed a lot for this country, but many still face housing that doesn’t suit their needs,” Ford says. “Beyond merely providing them shelter, we’re creating a space where they can live comfortably.”

GenesisUSA is responding by building homes designed for accessibility. These houses include ramps, wider doorways, and modified kitchens and bathrooms to allow veterans to live more independently. The organization also plans to create supportive environments for children who have lost their parents, many of whom also face mobility challenges.

Ford’s Community-Driven Leadership at GenesisUSA

Ford’s years of experience in construction and his dedication to charitable work have shaped his leadership at GenesisUSA. He stays closely involved, often meeting veterans and families to learn about their needs firsthand. “For me, it’s about building personal connections,” Ford says. “Large charities sometimes miss the individual stories.”

The community focus defines Ford’s leadership. Although some wonder if a smaller nonprofit can make a meaningful impact, Ford is confident. “We don’t have celebrity endorsements or huge budgets, but we have real relationships with the people we help,” he says. His dedication to grassroots efforts sets GenesisUSA apart from larger, more structured organizations.

GenesisUSA has already helped over 100 people and aims to expand its impact with affordable, accessible housing solutions. One notable feature is the inclusion of a wheelchair-accessible swimming pool, which has received positive feedback. Ford says, “We’re creating spaces where people can enjoy life fully, just like everyone else,” which reflects the organization’s mission to support independence and inclusion.

Building More Than Homes: A Reflection of Hope

Ford looks back on GenesisUSA’s progress with a clear sense of purpose. “We’re not simply building homes, we’re offering hope and building opportunities for independence,” he says. “We’re here to support veterans who face mobility challenges and children who have lost their parents, offering them a chance at a more self-reliant life.”

As the organization’s reach expands, so does its ability to impact lives across the country. Its work embodies Ford’s dedication to ensuring that no one is overlooked. Ford envisions scaling their efforts while maintaining the personalized approach that defines their model.

“We’re still in the early stages,” he notes. “As we grow, we’ll continue to prioritize individual needs. Our success hinges on the improved quality of life for each person we help.”

As the demand for accessible, supportive housing rises, organizations like GenesisUSA play an important role in filling gaps left by larger institutions and government programs. Through its focus on tailored support and community-driven solutions, GenesisUSA is building a model for how smaller nonprofits can significantly impact and address pressing social needs.