Alina Jackson | April 12, 2024 | Drugs Aren’t a Problem & Other Lies the Government Tells You
The use of e-cigarettes in the United States is at an all-time high, especially among youth. This is a current public health issue that will only continue to worsen if no measures are taken. Some government policies have been put into place; however, they are very restricted. There are a variety of factors that play into such a complex issue. Congress must make sure that the laws being put into place are not doing more harm than good. This is why it is so difficult to pass certain legislation; when researchers look at the broad spectrum, it can worsen the situation. There is much room for improvement, and it starts with being informed and understanding the stakes at risk.
History & Overview
E-cigarettes were originally designed to help cigarette smokers switch over and eventually quit entirely. Herbert Gilbert created the first electronic cigarette in 1963. The American inventor did not commercialize the product. It was not until 2003 that a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lik, put it on the market for purchase. His vision was to find an alternative way to quit using traditional cigarettes without using gum or nicotine patches. It is claimed that he was a smoker himself. Being a large hit in China, it was not long before the technology spread to other countries. (Staff Who invented vapes? A brief history of the origins of vaping).
Vapes, or e-cigarettes, come in many types. Some are disposable; others are rechargeable. Most contain a battery, heating component, and liquid placeholder and deliver drugs into the body, such as marijuana or nicotine. A common misconception among youth and even some adults is that e-cigarettes that do not contain specific drugs and are just “plain” aerosols or e-liquids are not harmful. Whether they contain the addictive component or not, chemicals and metals are directly being inhaled into the lungs. Long-term effects are still unknown to scientists; however, there is available proof that vapes are still dangerous despite technically being less harmful than cigarettes. Despite the original intention, the FDA does not approve e-cigarettes as an aid to help adults quit smoking. (About electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes))
Today, vapes are very common among youth and young adults. “E-cigarettes have emerged and soared in popularity in the past ten years, making them the most common tobacco product used among youth in the United States.” (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US) Office on Smoking and Health The call to action). They are appealing to the age demographic. Large e-cigarette companies take this into consideration and purposely target children with marketing tactics. There are many ways they do this, from creating colorful designs, sponsorships with social media figures and large influential businesses (car dealerships, celebrities in advertisements, etc) to using coupons and deals to draw in more sales (Association 9 strategies big tobacco uses to addict kids to e-cigarettes).
Why are Vapes so Popular Among Youth?
The bigger question at hand is: why do e-cigarettes have such appeal to youth anyway? The two most contributing factors are flavors and discretion. To most people, cigarette smoke smells bad. It has a husky, distinct scent, sticks to clothing and furniture, and lingers in enclosed spaces. As vapes have changed over time, different adjustments have been made. Smell and taste go hand in hand as well, cigarettes aren’t exactly “tasty”. All types of e-cigarette flavors are available on the market. Fruits, candy, and desserts, all under quirky names such as “Unicorn Milk” and “Fuji Apple Strawberry Nectarine” (Fox Best vape juice flavors). The flavor descriptions are even more persuasive, similar to reading off a dessert menu in a restaurant. “Strawberry Ice: Dive into the succulent sweetness of ripe strawberries, complemented by a refreshing icy exhale.” and “Pumpkin Pie Frosting: Indulge in the essence of the holiday season with the rich, creamy flavor of pumpkin pie frosting, reminiscent of festive gatherings and cherished traditions” (Javed Flavorful explorations: Unveiling the raz TN9000 flavor spectrum). It sounds very appealing, even to those who do not use e-cigarettes.
The Roles of Guardians
Discretion is another huge contributing factor. E-cigarettes come in many shapes and sizes, some even as small as a flash drive. They can easily be hidden in pockets, and almost anywhere in a teenager’s bedroom. Parents and teachers have reported having difficulty locating vapes, and the use of them can easily take place in schools and, in some cases, during class. (Association 9 strategies big tobacco uses to addict kids to e-cigarettes).
It is also crucial to mention that parents and teachers should shift their roles when it comes to e-cigarette use among youth. Anger and disappointment are the most common reactions, but authoritative figures should also look at the larger picture. Why are teenagers using them in the first place? For some, it could be for the pure fun of it, but most of the time, it is a coping mechanism for another issue. Mental health and substance abuse are closely interlinked. This is something that needs to be valued when trying to find solutions for the rise of e-cigarette use among youth.
U.S. Government Policies
Thankfully, the US government recognizes this issue. Certain policies have already been put into place, and more are continuing to be created and await approval. The three most common types of regulations are minimum age sales laws, bans on flavors for vapes (although limited), and taxes on e-cigarettes. It is a start, but there is plenty of room for improvement, and much to consider when trying to deal with such a complicated industry. Sometimes, despite good intentions, limiting certain products encourages youth to just switch over to more dangerous alternatives.
The “Resources to Prevent Youth Vaping Act” was passed in January 2024. It is a bipartisan piece of legislation that aims to protect youth from e-cigarette companies and their products. It requires the manufacturers of vape products to pay fees to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The reason this law was passed was because there was a loophole that e-cigarette manufacturers were taking advantage of. The FDA was only able to tax combustible tobacco products, which did not at the time include e-cigarettes. Now, with the recent adjustment, this is no longer the case. (Senator Collins, bipartisan group introduce Bill to increase resources to combat the youth vaping crisis: U.S. senator Susan Collins of Maine) Now that there is more income available, the funds can be used to run safety scans on vaping products and to offer and support youth about the harmful effects of e-cigarette use in the short and long term. (Maxfield Romney helps introduce bipartisan legislation to hold e-cigarette companies accountable for Youth Vaping Crisis)
Considering Other Helpful Options
Legislation is important, but other options should be considered. Bills can take years to be revised, approved, and passed. The most important first step should be, as mentioned before, to educate youth. Sex education is usually taught in middle school. Along with that, it would be beneficial to include a couple dedicated lessons on drugs and substance abuse. Children need to see the truth about drug use as a whole. It will take some time to get this to be a distributed curriculum in schools, and by that time we should have more evidence proving how hazardous e-cigarettes of all kinds are. Outside influences are often a contributor as well. The stigma about parents smoking needs to be created once more for parents using e-cigarettes as well.
The industry should be forced to make changes as well. Flavors should be banned completely, vapes should come in larger sizes, and packaging should be real and dark. Some companies already do this, using images of rotting gums, black lungs, and uncomfortable images on their products. People of all ages need to feel the guilt and open their eyes to the truth. It may encourage more people to be convinced to lower their use and eventually quit.
Final Takeaway
The e-cigarette industry is a demonstration of how some marketing companies will stop at nothing to make money. Even if certain chemicals are not legally allowed to be used in products made in the United States, when vape manufacturers produce and ship products, most of which are from China, policy lines become blurred. Even banning these kinds of products and the U.S. creating better alternatives could be an extreme solution. There are many things we “could” and “should” do. When it all comes down to it however, the decision lies in the hands of those willing to put a stop to it.
The youth of this generation are our future. At this rate, society is looking at a new era in which e-cigarettes become a horrifying norm. Many officials are doing what they can, but now it is up to the general public. Often, others fail to see how detrimental issues are unless they directly correlate to their own lives. In this case, this cannot be used as an excuse. Many people, youth and adults, can name a friend, family member, or person associated with e-cigarettes. It is everywhere. It is nearly impossible to ignore, and it should not be ignored.
Works Cited
“About Electronic Cigarettes (e-Cigarettes).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2 Nov. 2023, www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html#:~:text=E-cigarettes%20come%20in%20many%20shapes%20and%20sizes.%20Most,other%20chemicals%20that%20help%20to%20make%20the%20aerosol.
Association, American Lung. “9 Strategies Big Tobacco Uses to Addict Kids to E-Cigarettes.” 9 of the Strategies Big Tobacco Uses to Addict Kids to E-Cigarettes | American Lung Association,
Fox, Lindsay. “Best Vape Juice Flavors.” EcigaretteReviewed, 10 Nov. 2022, ecigarettereviewed.com/best-e-juice-flavors/#:~:text=Top%20Vape%20Juice%20Flavors%20%28As%20Recommended%20by%20ECR,Pawns%20…%207%20Prelude%20by%20Black%20Note%20.
“The History of Vaping: From 1963 to the Present Day…” VapeBeat, 28 Nov. 2022, vapebeat.com/vape-user-guides/history-of-vaping/.
Javed, Maham. “Flavorful Explorations: Unveiling the Raz TN9000 Flavor Spectrum.” Vape Papa, Vape papa, 23 Feb. 2024, www.vapepapa.com/blogs/resource/flavorful-explorations-unveiling-the-raz-tn9000-flavor-spectrum.
Maxfield, Dilan. “Romney Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Hold E-Cigarette Companies Accountable for Youth Vaping Crisis.” Mitt Romney, 30 Jan. 2024, www.romney.senate.gov/romney-helps-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-hold-e-cigarette-companies-accountable-for-youth-vaping-crisis/.
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (US) Office on Smoking and Health. “The Call to Action.” E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults: A Report of the Surgeon General [Internet]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 1970, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538685/.
Products, Center for Tobacco. “FDA’s Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/youth-and-tobacco/fdas-youth-tobacco-prevention-plan. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
Regulating Vaping — Policies, Possibilities, and Perils | Nejm, www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp1917065. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
“Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Increase Resources to Combat the Youth Vaping Crisis: U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine.” Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introd… | U.S. Senator Susan Collins, 30 Jan. 2024, www.collins.senate.gov/newsroom/senator-collins-bipartisan-group-introduce-bill-to-increase-resources-to-combat-the-youth-vaping-e-cigarettes. Staff, Rosedalekb Vape. “Who Invented Vapes? A Brief History of the Origins of Vaping.” Rosedalekb Vape, 13 Jan. 2024, rosedalekb.com/who-first-created-vapes/.