The Brown and White

 Many teens are misinformed that electronic cigarettes are a healthier alternative to traditional smoking. Due to this falsification, the percentage of teens who use e-cigarettes has skyrocketed in the past couple years according to the CDC. It has become a trend to use e-cigarettes; in other words, teens would be considered cool if they vaped or Juuled. This rather popular trend has been thrust into the spotlight as young teens were recently hospitalized due to severe lung damage and other conditions caused by smoking e-cigarettes. Those who have been hospitalized have begun to speak out against the use of e-cigarettes, and many blame the producers of e-cigarettes for the “Teen Vaping Epidemic.” These companies have been accused of targeting teens in the sale of their products.

Companies that produce electronic cigarettes have been accused of targeting teens in various ways according to the Tobacco Free Kids Campaign. One of the major ways in which these companies have attracted teens to their products is by creating flavors that appeal to them. These flavors include sweet, fruity flavors like mango, creme, mint and cucumber. Teens are more likely to use e-cigarettes that have an appealing taste and smell than those that smell and taste like traditional tobacco.

Teens are also attracted to e-cigarettes because of their convenient shape and size. E-cigarettes are built to resemble USB flash drives and can be charged using the USB port on a computer. This makes them easy to hide. They are not recognized by many adults; therefore, it is not difficult for teens to sneak them into schools and workplaces.

The Tobacco Free Kids Campaign claim that e-cigarettes have the ability to deliver nicotine at a more efficient rate which causes them to be much more addicting than traditional cigarettes. This is alarming and counterproductive in the fight against tobacco products. Teens are not only able to smoke tobacco using these devices but they can also buy cartridges infused with THC, which is the chemical in Marijuana that causes the high people feel when smoking marijuana. This is, unfortunately, putting teens at a higher risk of addiction to multiple substances.

Because so many teens are becoming addicted to e-cigarettes, the government has now gotten involved. There are many ways in which the government can tackle the “Teen Vaping Epidemic,” although the most effective by far is still in the works. President Donald Trump’s Administration is working on a ban for flavored electronic cigarettes. If this ban follows through, it will help  get rid of the major role in teen use of e-cigarettes. There have been other approaches taken to prevent teen use of e-cigarettes. The FDA and CDC have been investigating cases of illnesses caused by the smoking of e-cigarettes and are trying their best to release information to make the public aware. Minors are no longer allowed to purchase e-cigarettes, which does not completely limit their access to the product but should help. Electronic Cigarette companies are now required to put a label on their products stating that the cartridges contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance. This may deter teens from using e-cigarettes. They should also stop the production of cartridges that contain THC to demote teen substance abuse. In addition, the FDA now regulates the manufacturing, labeling, advertising, and sale of e-cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are not a healthier alternative to traditional smoking, although many teens believe otherwise. E-cigarettes can cause the same health complications as a traditional cigarette and are just as addicting, perhaps more so. It is important for teens to understand the risks of smoking e-cigarettes, and it is just as important for the government to get involved so that our youth can be protected from substance abuse and addiction. The Trump administration, CDC and FDA have all taken steps to limit teen access to e-cigarettes and should continue to do so until e-cigarettes are no longer a threat to the community and nation