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Vaping Overview
Vaping is a term for using e-cigarettes. Vaping has become a fad in recent years. It was advertised as a way for smokers to kick their cigarette habit while still getting their nicotine fix. However, vaping has taken off as a habit in its own right.
Unfortunately, many people who have never used traditional cigarettes have turned to vaping, and have become addicted as a result. The trend is especially popular among young adults and teens, as the marketing for these products may be enticing to these demographics.
Some popular vape pen brands include:
- JUUL
- Vuse
- Blu
- Logic
- MarkTen XL
- Others
Legal Issues Around Vaping
The marketing of vape pens has come under fire for possibly misleading consumers about e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes, also known as vape pens, have alleged been marketed as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. However, experts say that they may have as much if not more nicotine in them than regular cigarettes do.
Additionally, many parents and experts are concerned that e-cigarettes are being marketed towards teens and young adults. Some people claim that the devices are marketed based on their attractive and often sweet nicotine” flavors. Some people also claim that the fact that the devices can often be charged in a USB port in a laptop or other charger attracts tech-savvy, Gen Z youth.
How Vaping Works
Vape pens (electronic cigarettes) are handheld electronic devices that vaporize nicotine liquid, which is then inhaled by the user in a manner similar to traditional cigarette smoking.
Reportedly, vape pens can contain more nicotine than traditional cigarettes because the nicotine liquid can have a very high concentration of nicotine. Nicotine is both a sedative and a stimulant, and indirectly causes the brain to release dopamine, making it addictive.
Vaping and Smoking Cessation
Vape pens have been marketed as a way to help people quit smoking, because they are supposedly a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes.
Though vape pens do not contain many of the toxins contained in tobacco products, nicotine is still dangerous.
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, a developmental psychologist and professor of pediatrics at Stanford University told Consumer Reports that brains are still developing before people turn 25, so substances introduced into a brain before that point changes the brain.
She says that “by introducing nicotine, an addictive substance for which we already have receptors in place, we heighten those receptors and the brain alters to want more nicotine after.”
A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association said that over 30 percent of e-cigarette users began using other combustible tobacco products including cigarettes, whereas only 8 percent of non e-cigarette users began using tobacco products, suggesting that using e-cigarettes do not help people quit smoking, as claimed, but may actually encourage people to start smoking.
Vaping and E-Cigarette Lawsuits
Florida News Channel 8 reports that a number of vaping lawsuits have been filed against e-cigarette companies like JUUL for allegedly “exploiting adolescents and getting them hooked” on e-cigarettes.
Parents are taking these companies to task for allegedly putting profits ahead of the health of the general public, especially ahead of the health of young people.
