Americans may be more likely to consider vaping more addictive than smoking opposed to believing that e-cigarettes are a viable way to quit smoking, according to a recent survey.

Many vaping companies, including JUUL, have started to promote their products with heavy claims that e-cigarette use can help people stop smoking traditional cigarettes. However, a survey of 1,200 from the Truth Initiative suggests that the majority of Americans are not convinced.

According to the study, 59 percent of people don’t think that the e-cigarette industry is aiming to “be part of the solution to reduce the health effects of smoking.” Responses also showed that 55 percent of people believe e-cigarette regulations are too weak according to StatNews.

Additionally, e-cigarettes failed to perform much better than cigarettes in terms of popularity. 77 percent of respondents had an “unfavorable” view of the vaping industry while only 12 percent had a favorable view. These scores are reportedly only 4 points better than those gathered on the tobacco industry.

Despite public opinion, vaping companies are doing their best to promote their products as smoking cessation aids.

“Since its start, the vaping industry and its adult consumers have been subject to smear campaigns from activist groups and bureaucrats that value prohibition more than helping adult smokers quit,” Gregory Conley, president of the American Vaping Association, said following the survey.

“With polling showing that the majority of Americans still inaccurately believe that nicotine vaping products were responsible for recent illicit THC-linked illnesses and deaths, it is not surprising that similar numbers have negative opinions of the industry.”

As e-cigarettes become more widely used, more studies are being done to investigate their safety and efficacy as a smoking cessation devices. Peer reviewed studies are reportedly being published that support vaping companies’ arguments, and the companies themselves are reportedly conducting their own research.

The results of these vaping company studies will reportedly be submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alongside applications for market approval. Companies have until May to request formal approval to stay on the U.S. market after regulations tightened the requirements for vaping products.

Conley reportedly hopes that “public opinion will catch up to the science” as vaping companies’ product applications go through FDA scrutiny.

Is Vaping More Addictive Than Smoking?

Its debated if vaping is more addictive than smoking. However, health professionals acknowledge that e-cigarettes may deliver more nicotine than traditional cigarettes. This may make vaping more addictive than smoking, although more research is reportedly required.

Johns Hopkins, a renowned medical authority, has reportedly acknowledged the addictive nature of e-cigarettes. According to the health system, e-cigarette users may even get more nicotine than they might from a traditional tobacco product like cigarettes.

Although e-cigarettes give more nicotine, some professionals argue that most users don’t get enough of the chemical to make vaping more addictive than smoking.

“Unless you know how to puff on the thing properly and for long enough to heat the liquid sufficiently you are not going to get huge amounts of nicotine,” Dr. Robert Schwartz, a University of Toronto professor, told Healthy Debate.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.