Study Show Government Bans on Vapes Are Sending Smokers Back to Their Old Habits

A new study further highlights the fact that when government tries to solve a problem, it only makes it worse. As Americans continue grappling with the health effects of smoking, alternative nicotine delivery systems like vapes and e-cigarettes have been touted as a successful way to help people stop smoking tobacco.

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However, many states and cities have passed laws and ordinances to restrict the sale of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems. Proponents of these measures argue that companies selling these products are trying to appeal to younger demographics, specifically, underaged children. However, a study conducted by the Department of Health Policy & Management at the Yale School of Public Health shows that these government restrictions are doing far more harm than good.

Over 375 US localities and 7 states have adopted permanent restrictions on sales of flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”). These policies’ effects on combustible cigarette use (“smoking”), a more lethal habit, remain unclear.

Matching new flavor policy data to retail sales data, we find a tradeoff of 15 additional cigarettes for every 1 less 0.7 mL ENDS pod sold due to ENDS flavor restrictions. Further, cigarette sales increase even among brands disproportionately used by underage youth. Thus, any public health benefits of reducing ENDS use via flavor restrictions may be offset by public health costs from increased cigarette sales.

The study looked at retail sales data from 44 states and uncovered a disturbing trend. It found that the imposition of restrictions on ENDS flavors resulted in a sharp increase in cigarette purchases. The trend was the same across various cigarette product age profiles – even those popular among the youth.

Researchers found that preventing adults from purchasing flavored vape products just exacerbates the issue of smoking. To put it simply, people are reverting to cigarettes because the government is denying them an alternative, meaning that it is undermining public health.

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The findings of the study underscore a critical reality that those who support government intervention tend to miss: When the state regulates personal choices, especially when it comes to substances people willingly consume, the outcome is typically detrimental. It is also ironic that the Food and Drug Administration, which funded the study, refuses to approve vaping products in flavors other than tobacco.

Restrictions on flavored vapes results in an “inequitable tradeoff” that disproportionately affects the 11.2 percent of American adults who smoke. In essence, these restrictions will likely cause far more deaths than it could ever hope to prevent.

In California, the government instituted a “sin tax” on alcohol, cigarettes, and gasoline. As RedState’s Jennifer Van Laar reported, the result was less tax revenue for the Golden State.

Advocates argued that the revenue loss would be offset by savings to Medi-Cal, because people would quit using tobacco and wouldn’t have as many tobacco-related healthcare costs. There are a few problems with that line of thinking. First, it assumes that people will stop using tobacco altogether because they can’t get these flavored tobacco products. There’s voluminous data suggesting that isn’t the case, since people will either buy it on the black market or they’ll switch to other, non-banned items. Second, it assumes that all of the people who use it and will quit are on Medi-Cal right now and that they are currently being treated for tobcaco-related medical issues that place a certain cost on the system. And, it assumes that the Medi-Cal savings will be realized almost immediately. Those are a lot of assumptions, and there’s no data to justify them.

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In another article Van Laar also pointed to how these restrictions also resulted in a sharp decrease in funding for the state’s early childhood programs.

The bottom line is that the government’s role should be to protect our rights, not use the threat of arrest or fines to dictate how we live. When the state meddles in people’s personal behavior, the result is always disastrous. In this case, more people might lose their lives because government officials think it is their place to decide what people can and cannot consume.

Unfortunately, the ramifications of what this study exposed will likely fall on the deaf ears of politicians and bureaucrats who think they know better than the rest of us, meaning they will continue to keep these laws in place despite how they negatively impact those affected.

Check out my recent interview with Doni Anthony on this very issue:

Study Show Government Bans on Vapes Are Sending Smokers Back to Their Old Habits Read More

Jack Smith Accuses Trump of Potentially Violating His Terms of Release Over Glock Video, Seeking ‘to Benefit From His Supporters’ Mistaken Belief’ He Bought Gun

Special Counsel Jack Smith accused Trump of potentially violating his terms of release over a video of him saying he wanted to buy a Glock during a campaign stop in South Carolina this week.

Trump visited Palmetto State Armory in Summerville, South Carolina earlier this week and admired a custom “Trump 45” Glock.

Trump spokesman Steven Cheung tweeted a video of the President saying, “I want to buy one.”

“President Trump purchases a Glock in South Carolina,” Cheung said.

Cheung then walked back his statement and said Trump actually did not purchase the firearm.

In a 22-page filing reviewed by The Gateway Pundit, Jack Smith’s prosecutors said Trump potentially violated his terms of release if he purchased the firearm.

Federal prosecutors made the claim in a footnote in a 22-page filing in their renewed push to gag Trump.

“The defendant recently was caught potentially violating his conditions of release, and tried to walk that back in similar fashion. In particular, on September 25, the defendant’s campaign spokesman posted a video of the defendant in the Palmetto State Armory, a Federal Firearms Licensee in Summerville, South Carolina. The video posted by the spokesman showed the defendant holding a Glock pistol with the defendant’s likeness etched into it. The defendant stated, “I’ve got to buy one,” and posed for pictures with the FFL owners. The defendant’s spokesman captioned the video Tweet with the representation that the defendant had purchased the pistol, exclaiming, “President Trump purchases a @GLOCKInc in South Carolina!” The spokesman subsequently deleted the post and retracted his statement, saying that the defendant “did not purchase or take possession of the firearm” (a claim directly contradicted by the video showing the defendant possessing the pistol). See Fox News, Trump campaign walks back claim former president purchased Glock amid questions about legality (Sept. 25, 2023),” prosecutors wrote.

Jack Smith’s prosecutors absurdly claimed that even if Trump didn’t purchase the firearm, he sought “to benefit from his supporters’ mistaken belief that he did so,” which would be a separate federal crime.

“The defendant either purchased a gun in violation of the law and his conditions of release, or seeks to benefit from his supporters’ mistaken belief that he did so. It would be a separate federal crime, and thus a violation of the defendant’s conditions of release, for him to purchase a gun while this felony indictment is pending. See 18 U.S.C. § 922(n).” the prosecutors wrote.

Jack Smith is still trying to silence Trump and cited his comments on retired Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley in a renewed push for a gag order.

The 22-page filing reviewed by this reporter noted Trump’s “Meet the Press” interview where he dared to speak the truth about Georgia Secretary of State Raffensperger and a Truth Social post criticizing Mike Pence in its argument that Trump should be gagged:

Judge Tanya Chutkan set an October 16 hearing on Jack Smith’s proposed gag order.

Jack Smith Accuses Trump of Potentially Violating His Terms of Release Over Glock Video, Seeking ‘to Benefit From His Supporters’ Mistaken Belief’ He Bought Gun Read More

Exclusive — Capitol Sources: Jamaal Bowman Threw Signs Warning Door Was Emergency Only on Floor Before Pulling Fire Alarm

Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) ripped down two signs warning a second floor door in the Cannon House Office Building was for emergency use only before pulling the fire alarm and running out through a different door on a different floor, Breitbart News has learned exclusively.

Multiple sources familiar with the investigation into Bowman pulling the fire alarm in the House, which triggered a full scale law enforcement and emergency services response leading to the evacuation of the building, told Breitbart News exclusively that Bowman ripped two signs down and threw then on the ground first.

The sources familiar with the investigation provided Breitbart News with photographs of the scene of the alleged crime later after the emergency door had been restored after the damage Bowman did to it.

The emergency exit next to fire alarm (Breitbart News)

The emergency exit next to fire alarm (Breitbart News)

The emergency exit near the fire alarm. (Breitbart News)

The fire alarm that was pulled. (Breitbart News)

Close up image of the fire alarm that was pulled. (Breitbart News)

In the photos of the double doors with glass windows, there are clearly two giant red signs on the door—they both say “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY—PUSH UNTIL ALARM SOUNDS (3 SECONDS) DOOR WILL UNLOCK IN 30 SECONDS.”

There is also another sign on a stand in front of the door that makes it clear this is an “EMERGENCY EXIT ONLY.”

Off to the left on the wall is the fire alarm that Bowman pulled. The fire alarm clearly states it is a FIRE alarm.

The photograph of Bowman pulling the fire alarm, which Capitol Police already released publicly, shows the two red signs that are normally affixed to the door are no longer there.

A source familiar with the matter said Bowman casually, as the House was holding open the House Democrats’ motion to adjourn vote earlier in the day, walked up to the door and then ripped the emergency signs off and threw them on the ground.

“He ripped both of them off the door and threw them both on the floor,” the source familiar with the investigation told Breitbart News.

“Then, he leaned into the door and tried to open it,” the source added. “Then, he pulled the fire alarm. When the alarm begins going off, he turned around and ran—going down to the first floor of Cannon and exited out of a different door then made his way across the street to votes. At no point did he say to anyone ‘sorry this is a mistake’ or ‘sorry I pulled the fire alarm by mistake’ or anything like that. He didn’t say anything to anyone until he was confronted by Capitol Police later. By doing what he did he caused a whole building to be evacuated. Capitol Police and emergency services need to treat any alarm like a real threat until they know otherwise.”

These facts undercut Bowman’s official public statement that he was trying to get out of the door. He did not, per the source familiar with the matter, wait the 30 seconds the signs said to wait for the emergency door to open—and he clearly did not follow the instructions on the emergency signs.

Bowman later told reporters: “I thought the alarm would open the door.”

That statement from the congressman himself came after his spokesperson had previously issued a statement claiming he was rushing to get to votes on the floor.

“Congressman Bowman did not realize he would trigger a building alarm as he was rushing to make an urgent vote,” Bowman’s spokesperson said. “The Congressman regrets any confusion.”

Obviously, the sign says otherwise.

However, what really seems to be going on here is that Democrats in the House were desperately trying any tactics they could—the motion to adjourn vote which failed, the House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries delaying using as much time as he could through his “magic minute” which allows the opposition leader to speak for as long as they like, and through disinformation their committee staffers were disseminating about the House GOP’s funding bill—in order to buy their counterparts in the Senate time to pass a Democrat funding measure. The main difference between House and Senate funding packages is that the Senate plan led by Senate Democrats provides billions of taxpayer dollars for Ukraine, whereas the House-passed plan provides zero dollars for Ukraine.

In other words, it appears Bowman—who has been in Congress for nearly three years now and would understand all this about emergency doors and rushing to votes—pulled the fire alarm as part of a delay tactic to help buy the Democrats time.

When their delay tactics failed, and the House passed the GOP funding plan, the Democrats changed their tune and began singing its praises—even though it provides zero money for Ukraine—and they all, once they recognized defeat, voted for it and claimed they won.

Exclusive — Capitol Sources: Jamaal Bowman Threw Signs Warning Door Was Emergency Only on Floor Before Pulling Fire Alarm Read More

The Definition of Gaslighting: Old Joe Biden Lays Out Democrat Plan for America – Then Blames It on Republicans and Calls MAGA the Greatest Threat to Our Nation (VIDEO)

This is the definition of gaslighting.
This is the definition of evil.

Joe Biden’s handlers posted a video of Joe Biden viciously attacking Trump supporters. Biden describes every tactic of the left’s power grab on every single institution in America today – then twists reality to say these are traits of MAGA.

Biden blames MAGA Republicans as the greatest threat to America today.

Thank goodness Democrats have perfected election fraud. No clear-thinking American suffering through this dismal presidency would ever vote for more of this BS, failure and deceit. And Democrats know this.

Here is Old Joe Biden describing Democrats but blaming MAGA in a tweet posted earlier today.

Old Joe Biden: Seizing power, concentrating power, tempting to abuse power, purging and packing key institutions, spewing conspiracy theories, spreading lies for profit and power to divide America in every way inciting violence against those who risk their lives to keep America safe, weaponizing against the very soul of who we are as Americans.

This MAGA threat is a threat to the brick and mortar of our democratic institutions. But it’s also a threat to the character of our nation.

This is the same guy who indicted his chief political opponent 91 times!

Joe Biden just described the Democrat Party from their movement to defund and demonize the police, to packing all of the institutions of power, to pushing the most outlandish conspiracy theories in human history, all for power!

And they blame this on MAGA – the middle class Americans who want to keep America strong and prosperous.

You really have to appreciate their blatant deceit!

The Definition of Gaslighting: Old Joe Biden Lays Out Democrat Plan for America – Then Blames It on Republicans and Calls MAGA the Greatest Threat to Our Nation (VIDEO) Read More

GOP Now Taking Action to Boot Bowman After He Pulled Fire Alarm, as Old Tweet Comes Back to Haunt Him

The House passed a temporary 45-day measure on Saturday to keep the government open.

But amid that drama, we had the additional drama of Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) pulling the fire alarm. He admits he did it. But now he’s trying to claim that he “thought the alarm would open the door.” He shouldn’t be making statements, as he could potentially be charged. But that’s just nonsensical. He’s been in Congress for a while, and he was a school principal. He knows the difference between an alarm and how to open a door. 

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The problem for him is he’s in an untenable position to defend: he did something incredibly stupid and got caught, on camera before the world. But stupidity isn’t an excuse for breaking the law, and we’re going to see if there are truly any consequences for a Democrat. Are we fully in the two-tiered system where he will get a pass — even when he does something for all the world to see? 

People lit him up on social media with his actions, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) calling for him to be prosecuted.  

It’s not clear yet what the legal consequences might be for Bowman. The Capitol Police is now investigating the incident. 

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said he wanted to see the video, when he was grilled by reporters. That shows you how much they will spin. 

Bowman admitted it, guys, so that ship has sailed. 

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is calling for an ethics investigation into Bowman. 

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McCarthy said it would be interesting to see what the response to this would be, given how people have been treated in the past “if they’ve done something wrong in [the] Capitol.” 

Politico’s Olivia Beavers, who broke the story originally, said that members were taking action to censure and/or expel Bowman for his actions. 

“Rep.Malliotakis (R-NY) is drafting a resolution to have Rep. Bowman expelled, her spox Natalie Baldassarre tells me,” Beavers reported. Rep. Lisa McClain is also drafting a resolution to censure him, her office confirms. Bowman’s office said alarm incident bc “confusion”/rushing to vote.”

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What perhaps caps off the story of the day was how there’s always a tweet for everything, and it looks like there’s one that didn’t age well for Bowman. 

“No one in this country is above the law,” Bowman posted. 

We’re about to find out if that’s true. 

GOP Now Taking Action to Boot Bowman After He Pulled Fire Alarm, as Old Tweet Comes Back to Haunt Him Read More

Peaceful J6er Will Watson Finds Solace in Prison After Surrendering to Jesus Christ – Will Walked in the US Capitol and Calling for Peace – Did Not Pull a Fire Alarm – PLEASE DONATE BELOW

Guest post by Condemned USA

Prior to January 6th, Will Watson was an aspiring chef, working as the Chef de Partie at Lucy’s, the most popular restaurant in Auburn, Alabama.

At only 23 years old, Will was moving up in the world and excited to see where life would take him.

Unfortunately, on March 9, 2023, his life took a drastic turn for the worse when he was convicted of “Obstruction of a federal proceeding” and “entering or remaining with a deadly or dangerous weapon” for peacefully protesting at the United States Capitol. The “Weapon” was a canister of mace, thrown to him by someone else in the crowd.

Will Watson DID NOT pull a fire alarm.  He DID NOT shut down a federal proceeding.  He called for a peaceful gathering!

** Help Will Watson rebuild his life while in prison by donating HERE.

On Saturday Democrat Rep. Jamaal Bowman pulled a fire alarm inside the US Capitol and shut down Congress.  Does anyone think Jamaal will spend ONE DAY in prison for his actions?

Capitol Police even checked Will for weapons and allowed him to keep the canister that day. They assured him it wasn’t an issue.

But the issue was blown out of proportion in a politically biased D.C. Court.  Despite having no prior criminal history and guidelines suggesting a sentence of only 10-16 months at the most, Will was sentenced to three years in federal prison. 

Three years for entering the open doors on the US Capitol on January 6!

Will’s beautiful baby girl, Cattleya, was born prematurely on December 28, 2022. By the grace of God, she made it through that difficult trial with only a few health issues. While she still faces certain challenges, they are manageable, and she is overall healthy.

As a J6er, Will was forced to endure solitary confinement — a strain on both his mental and emotional help. Remarkably, he believes the experience was necessary to renew and strengthen his faith in God’s plan for his life. He says the trials and challenges that came as a result of January 6th pushed him to a breaking point — ultimately leading him to realize that there was no way for him to navigate this life alone.

Miraculously, Will fully surrendered to Christ. Although he admits it’s not easy to keep faith during such trying times, Will’s heart is now dedicated to trusting in God’s purpose.

Will looks forward to his release from prison and continues to dream — working on plans, menus, and recipes for a catering company he plans to open when he is free to pay $12,000 in fines. With God by his side, Will is determined to move forward and rebuild what he’s lost, pursue his dreams, and raise his daughter Cattleya with devoted love and attention.

Condemned USA is looking for 280 volunteers LIKE YOU to SPONSOR the Watson family at $25 a month to help his little girl and her medical care, as well as provide for Will’s legal needs.

** Help Will Watson rebuild his life while in prison by donating HERE.

Peaceful J6er Will Watson Finds Solace in Prison After Surrendering to Jesus Christ – Will Walked in the US Capitol and Calling for Peace – Did Not Pull a Fire Alarm – PLEASE DONATE BELOW Read More

Is ‘Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story’ on Lifetime Based on a True Story?

Lifetime’s fall movie lineup continues with another true crime tale, this time with an Amish twist. Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story sets a seedy story of infidelity and murder against the usually tranquil world of the Amish.

The movie stars Luke Macfarlane — who we just saw on Hallmark in Notes of Autumn — as the titular Amish stud. If you’ve been waiting for Macfarlane to stop playing lovable hunks and break bad, this is the movie for you.

The real question is, though, just how true to life is Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story? Who is Eli Weaver and was he really an “Amish stud”? And if Eli Weaver is real, then where is he now? Fortunately we have answers to all those questions.

Is Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story based on a true story?

Yes it is, although it’s not as recent a crime as the true story behind last week’s movie. The murder of Barbara Weaver — a 30-year-old married mother of five and devout member of an Amish community — took place on June 2, 2009. Barbara first met Eli Weaver circa 1999 when they were on their Rumspringa, a rite of passage for the Amish wherein they explore the outside world. While Barbara had a hard time with leaving her faith behind, Eli threw himself into them by partying and hooking up with women.

Luke Macfarlane in Amish Stud
Photo: Lifetime

Following their Rumspringa, Eli and Barbara married and had five children together. Eli was still regularly cheating on Barbara with women from outside the Amish faith. Eli would meet women using a dating profile where he dubbed himself the “AMISH STUD,” and he ultimately fathered a child with one of these women. When questioned by police, multiple women said Eli talked about getting rid of his wife frequently during their affairs. Eli even left Barbara for a little while, resulting in him being shunned. He ultimately asked for forgiveness and returned to his wife and the community. Barbara’s sister later said that Barbara suspected Eli of having a new mistress just prior to her murder.

That mistress was likely Barb Raber, a 39-year-old married, Mennonite, mother of three who spent her time working as a driver for those in the neighboring Amish community. In the weeks leading up to Barbara’s murder, Eli and Raber spent a lot of time coming up with a murder plan via text message. A computer found in Raber’s home held 800 different searches for ways to murder someone, including “10 best ways to kill yourself” and “How much rat poison will kill a person?” The two considered everything from a poisoned cupcake to setting the house on fire with her in it. When Raber asked about the fate of Eli’s five children, Eli said they didn’t matter because if they died “they would go straight to Heaven.”

Amish Stud - Luke Macfarlane and Kirsten Vangsness
Photo: Lifetime

Raber first tried to murder Barbara a few weeks ahead of her murder, but she got scared and called it off. Eli convinced her to try again and psyched her up when she expressed doubt. To give himself an alibi, Eli went on a fishing trip with his friends while Raber snuck into the Weaver household and shot Barbara with a shotgun. Barbara’s children later alerted their neighbor, who called the police.

The police immediately suspected Eli, even though he had an alibi. To try to cover their tracks, Raber had a friend call and leave a voicemail saying, “Eli, you can run but you can’t hide. We’ll get you. Obviously we got the wrong person last night.” This did not convince the police. When they discovered Eli’s online dating activities, they also realized that Eli had to have a cell phone despite his Amish faith. The cops set up a sting with one of Eli’s ex-flings and got his cell phone number. They subpoenaed his phone records and discovered that the phone was in Barb Raber’s name, as well as all of the texts between Eli and Raber about how to murder his wife. Case closed.

If you want more of a true crime telling of this story, you can check out A&E’s City Confidential, episode 7×2.



Where are Eli Weaver and Barb Raber today?

Both are currently in prison. Eli Weaver testified against Raber, was convicted of complicity to murder, and was sentenced to 15 years to life. He will be eligible for parole next year, 2024, when he will be 44. Barb Raber was convicted of aggravated murder, and sentenced to life in prison. She will be eligible for parole in 2032. She will be 62.

What did the real Eli Weaver look like? Was Eli Weaver a real Amish stud?

It may seem like a weird question to ask, but it is valid. Not only is Eli Weaver’s attractiveness a crucial part of the true crime story, as it explains his sway over so many women as a self-proclaimed “Amish stud,” the movie cast the objectively attractive Luke Macfarlane in the role. So, what’s the deal?

Amish Stud movie, IRL
Photos: Lifetime, A&E

Honestly, Eli Weaver has way more of a Chris Pratt in Parks & Recreation Season 1 vibe to him.

What time does Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story premiere on Lifetime?

Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story debuts on Lifetime on Saturday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET. If you have a cable login, you will be able to stream the movie as it airs online via Lifetime’s website.

If you don’t have a cable login, you can still watch Lifetime movies as they air via the following live TV streaming services: Sling TV, frndly, Hulu, , and Philo.

When will Lifetime rerun Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story?

Following the premiere on Saturday, September 30 at 8 p.m. ET, Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story will re-air on Lifetime at the following time:

  • Sunday, October 1 at 12 a.m. ET
  • Friday, October 6 at 8 p.m. ET
  • Saturday, October 7 at 12 a.m. ET
  • Saturday, October 7 at 2 p.m. ET

How to stream Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story

If you miss Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story when it airs on Lifetime, you will still be able to stream it on Lifetime’s website for free (with ads). You can also stream it on-demand via Sling TV, frndly, Hulu, , and Philo..

Who is in the Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story cast?

Luke Macfarlane (Bros, Platonic) plays the Amish stud; Miranda MacDougall (The Flash) plays Eli’s wife Barbara; Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds) plays Barb Raber; Clare Filipow (Virgin River) plays Abigail.

Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story premieres on Lifetime on September 30 at 8 p.m. ET.

Is ‘Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story’ on Lifetime Based on a True Story? Read More