Public health advocates argue that the recent flavored vape pod ban is not enough to combat the addictiveness of e-cigarettes among the youth of America.

On Jan. 2, the Trump administration took a stand against the e-cigarette crisis by banning the sale of e-cigarette cartridges in flavors other than menthol and tobacco. This ban would include flavored cartridges sold by Juul Labs.

Although the ban is set to take effect in February, consumer advocates argue that it doesn’t do enough.

Erika Sward from the American Lung Association told PBS News Hour that they find the ban “deeply disappointing.” He says the association would have liked to see a more comprehensive ban on flavored e-cigarette productsHe says

Similarrly, Harold Wimmer – the president of the association – said in a statement that it is “sad to see an industry-supported approach take precedence over our kids’ lung health.” He argues that the tobacco issues currently plaguing the country will only continue if stricter action is not taken by the government.

Government representatives have defended the ban by stating that they want adults to be able to purchase menthol and tobacco flavored e-cigarette products as “an effective off-ramp” for traditional cigarette addiction.

Together with the recent move of raising the tobacco age to 21, the Trump administration’s Health Secretary Alex Azar told reporters that the government “will not stand idly by as a new generation of Americans becomes addicted to nicotine.”

Addictiveness of E-Cigarettes for Young People

Much of the driving force behind the recent ban is concerns regarding the addictiveness of e-cigarettes and worries that young individuals may become easily addicted to nicotine after using flavored e-cigarette products.

In the short term, nicotine causes the body to release hormones and chemicals such as adrenaline and dopamine. These chemicals motivate users to continue vaping by activating the brain’s reward centers. This can lead to a harmful nicotine addiction.

A nicotine addiction can have serious effects on a young person’s body. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Office on Smoking and Health, a person’s brain is at particular risk of damage with nicotine addiction.

During adolescence, a person’s brain is not fully developed. This makes young people more likely to make risky decisions such as smoking tobacco products and using e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, exposure to nicotine at a young age can result in nicotine addiction, mood disorders, lower impulse control, and damage to areas of the brain which help with attention and learning.

Additionally, the National Institute of Drug Abuse notes that using e-cigarettes can make young people more likely to use other, more harmful products such as traditional cigarettes. According to some studies referenced by the institute, the use of e-cigarettes make even encourage the use of traditional cigarettes.

Apart from the addictiveness of e-cigarettes, much of the fluid used in these products is full of a variety of chemicals which have not been evaluated for safety. When these chemicals are exposed to the lungs, health consequences could follow.

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