Introduction
Widely popular now, electronic cigarettes exist as alternative forms of smoking traditional cigarettes or tobacco. According to Nguyen (2020), electronic cigarettes were invented in China in 2003 by a pharmacist named Hon Link. Manufacturers claim that electronic cigarettes help quit smoking and are less harmful to health than regular cigarettes. As explained by Ducharme (2019), 5.3 million young Americans among whom 10.5% are high school students claimed to use electronic cigarettes regularly or occasionally in 2017. The practice exploded in the matter of a few years, as per 2019, more than 20% of high school students declared vaping (Ducharme, 2019). A dangerous trend appears as adolescents are now much more likely to vape than to smoke traditional cigarettes. As noted by Ducharme (2019), in the summer of 2018, American healthcare system reported more than 2000 cases of lung injury as a result of vape-related respiratory illnesses. By early December, the number of deaths of vapers almost reached 50 (Ducharme, 2019). To address the issue, each school is groping for the best response. For example, as discussed in “Glen Rock HS to install scent detectors” (2019), the principal of Glen Rock High School in New Jersey suggested installing vaping detectors in toilets. La Gorce (2018) writes that, in Kinnelon High School in a neighboring county, school officials have warned that they are giving parents two hours to pick up their children after they were caught vaping, otherwise they will be taken by ambulance to the hospital. However, not only high school and college students are addicted to vaping, there are plenty of adults that vape just as actively as teenagers. The battle against vaping has now taken a political turn. At the end of December, Congress has voted a federal law to generalize this measure in the entire country (La Gorce, 2018). Most flavored refills have already been banned, but some products (for example, menthol) will soon need to be consumed directly at points of sale, and nowhere else. Products with a high nicotine content will not be available in grocery stores and gas stations starting next June, and all will be heavily taxed at wholesalers. It is safe to say that vaping has become a major health issue in the United States. No matter how casual and enjoyable it may seem, it is actually just as damaging to human health as smoking regular cigarettes.
New Jersey: The First State to Permanently Ban Vape Products
The selling of flavored vaping products will soon be banned in New Jersey. As discussed in “Governor Murphy signs legislation to ban vape products” (2020), Governor Phil Murphy recently signed a law that will prohibit selling flavored vape products and make New Jersey the first state to do so. The Governor and his primary sponsors are well aware of the situation and realize their responsibility to protect the health and safety of the New Jersey residents. Murphy thanks his partners in the Legislature for quick and responsible reaction to the Health Department’s recommendations and believes that this legislation will protect teenagers and adults from the dangers associated with the usage of flavored electronic devices (“Governor Murphy signs legislation to ban vape products,” 2020). Senator Codey claims that flavored vaping products are deliberately used by the tobacco industry as a way to entice young people to purchasing tobacco goods (“Governor Murphy signs legislation to ban vape products,” 2020). Such addiction does not only lead to economic losses of the vaper but also to severe long-term health conditions.
While producing vaping products, the industry tries to come up with the most appealing designs for their devices and tastes, such as candy, fruit, chocolate, mint, etc. According to Nguyen (2020), the main reason why vape companies target young people is teenagers’ dislike for the taste of cigarettes. The flavors serve as a marketing ploy for the young, because, according to Codey, young people are more physically and socially vulnerable, thus more susceptible to external influence of manipulative advertisement (“Governor Murphy signs legislation to ban vape products,” 2020). Most teenagers do not equate vaping to smoking regular cigarettes, but what they do not realize is that vaping materials also contain nicotine and other dangerous chemicals that may have the same severe side effects as smoking. As explained by Gotts, Jordt, McConnell, and Tarran (2019), the negative effects of nicotine on the developing brains include but are not limited to addiction, lower impulse control, and mood disorder. The most disturbing part of the researchers’ finding is that those who are aware of the damage e-cigarettes have on their health can be too addicted to stop and have to seek medical assistance on the matter. Consequently, vaping is putting thousands of lives at risk every day and the New Jersey administration has decided to put a stop to this.
Negative Health Effects of Vaping
Vaping affects respiratory and overall health in many negative ways. According to the study by Gotts et al. (2019), those who vape show such respiratory symptoms as chronic cough, wheezing, and sputum, which are common for long-time smokers. Many e-cigarette users have eventually developed asthma, and for those who have already been suffering from chronic lung diseases, the situation has only worsened. Nonetheless, age does not play a role in this case, both young and adult e-cigarette users are sensitive to vape products and experience weakening of the immune system. As further explained by Gotts et al. (2019), the US healthcare system reported more than 200 cases of acute respiratory diseases, related to smoking electronic cigarettes, in the summer of 2019. This situation encouraged state and federal health agencies to engage in thorough investigations on the matter, involving the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In particular, case reports from different countries of the world indicate incidents of lipoid pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory complications as the most common among the e-cigarette users (Gotts et al., 2019). Effects of vaping on the physical appearance of the smoker are visible to common people. Bleeding from the gums and the interior of the mouth, dental problems, and decay of the mucous membrane are among of the few. The consequences of using e-cigarettes on human lives and health are truly scary and unpredictable.
Lack of Knowledge
Another common reason for the accidents among the vape users is that frequently they are simply unaware of what substances they are inhaling. Some use substances that contain nicotine, while others inhale sole flavoring or even marijuana. The study conducted by Dai and Siahpush (2019) tells that teenagers are more likely to declare vaping cannabis or nicotine, while dismissing the flavored substances as insignificant. The fact that adolescents often use vaping devices with the purpose of smoking marijuana and that, at times, they are not even fully aware of the substances they have vaped, is concerning. In these circumstances, as noticed in “Youth and tobacco use” (2019), there is an acute need for mandatory school education on the usage of electronic cigarettes among teenagers. It is equally important to educate the youth about the dangers of vaping marijuana and flavored substances. Even though most people find the drug itself harmless, excessive use of marijuana is extremely dangerous at a young age. Looking at the problem from all angles, it is not substantial only to educate and prevent people from vaping. The process of purchasing devices and vaping substances also needs to be more difficult. First, the in-store availability of tobacco goods should be reduced. Second, manufacturers and sellers should be put under strict policy.The issue has become so global that not only the teenagers who start vaping must realize their responsibility and possible outcome, but the industry must be held accountable too.
Possible Pros of Vaping
While the advantages of using e-cigarettes are still questionable, vaping may have some advantages. For example, e-cigarettes appear to be a better alternative for some long-term cigarette smokers and those who struggle quitting smoking. The substances do not contain tobacco or at least as many of the other toxins and carcinogens which cause lung diseases and cancer (“Youth and tobacco,” 2019). Vaping devices may emit less toxic material and are relatively less damaging to the environment than cigarettes (Gotts et al., 2019). After all, smoking and vaping put many people at ease, so prohibiting it and taking away their freedom of choice may seem unfair and unnecessary. Nevertheless, these pros are nowhere near as important as the human lives they are ruining. Serious measures against the sale of vape products are being implemented across the United States right now and more are to happen in the future, and there is hope that the legislations that have been suggested and signed thus far will raise awareness and eliminate this harmful and devastating trend.
References
Dai, H., & Siahpush, M. (2019). Use of e-cigarettes for nicotine, marijuana, and just flavoring among U.S. youth. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 58(2), 244-249.
Ducharme, J. (2019). These brands may be to blame for vaping-related illnesses, according to CDC report. Time. Web.
Gotts, E. J., Jordt, S.-E., McConnell, R., & Tarran R. (2019). What are the respiratory effects of e-cigarettes? BMJ, 366, 1-16.
Glen Rock HS to install scent detectors to discourage teens from vaping. (2019). News 12 New Jersey. Web.
Governor Murphy signs legislation to make New Jersey first state in the nation to impose permanent ban on flavored vape products. (2020). Web.
La Gorce, T. (2018). The vaping epidemic that’s fogging up NJ schools. New Jersey Monthly. Web.
Nguyen, D. (2020). Electronic cigarettes the past, present and future. Web.
Youth and tobacco use. (2019). Web.