When vaping began to take off in the 1970s, it was hailed as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco cigarettes. However, in more recent times, the use of e-cigarettes has widened into something more mainstream: a booming industry, a robust community and a widely-disputed topic in our media. President Trump announced on Sept. 11 that he is in favor of banning all flavored e-cigarettes in response to several vape-related injuries, illnesses and deaths across the United States. This controversial move raises questions about how vaping has changed, the risks of the behavior and whether legal action should be taken against e-cigarette companies, such as Juul and Vapor Corp.

Is vaping dangerous?

According to Linda Ritcher, PhD at the Center for Addiction, vaping devices carry far more risks than most people think. “Nicotine can disrupt brain development, interfere with long-term cognitive functioning and increase the risk of various mental and physical health problems later in life,” Ritcher stated. For people using vapes without nicotine, it is also important to note that there is “little federal oversight” of the ingredients and contents of each vaping device or e-liquid, commonly known as ‘vape juice.’ This means that although vaping devices may be purchased from a ‘name-brand’ or reputable/popular retailer, this does not inherently mean that the products are safe to use. While some of the vaping-related deaths were in cases in which the victim used black market or ‘unregulated’ vapes, the FDA has not approved any vaping devices as safe or even as a desired tool for smoking cessation.

Further, the appealing flavors can draw in audiences that weren’t typically interested in vaping. According to a 2013-2014 survey by the FDA, 81 percent of current youth e-cigarette users cited the availability of appealing flavors as the primary reason for use. This raises the moral question: are e-cigarette companies using attractive flavors in order to get the attention and business of teens and young adults? Flavors such as mango, cotton candy, strawberry soda, buttery popcorn and more may entice children, teens and young adults to pick up the habit.

From aid to addiction

Vaping was seen as a commonly acceptable smoking cessation aid; it cut out second-hand smoke, which was harmful to non-smoking people around the smoker, and was an easy way to control the amount of nicotine needed. However, recently the growth of vape use among children, teens and young adults has changed this outlook completely. Suddenly, young people who did not previously have a nicotine addiction are hooked on the drug because of the vaping device.

While counter-intuitive to the original intention of using an e-cigarette as a safer alternative to smoking, it is not hard to see how young people began to seek out the devices. The popularization of vaping in the media may be a contributing factor, along with the thousands of appealing flavors. 

Vaping can be seen as an act of rebellion among teens as well, which has led to “no vaping” signs in school bathrooms all across the country. While it is likely that most people view vaping purely as an aid to stop smoking as a good thing, there are many more mixed feelings about teens and 20-somethings without a nicotine addiction picking up the habit as a result of the vape. 

Esther George, a junior at Drury University, feels that vaping has strayed far from its identity as a way to stop smoking and into new territory altogether. “I feel like vaping started out as a potentially positive alternative to cigarettes but now has become a mainstream ‘hipster’ thing,” said George, “People who didn’t smoke before started [vaping] to make themselves look cool.”

Matthew Shuey, a senior non-traditional student, shares the same perspective about the younger generation’s new vaping habit. “Most people used to use vaping as a way to quit smoking–similar to nicotine patches or gum–as just a safer way to get nicotine. Now, from what I’ve seen, it seems like that has totally changed, and kids are getting addicted to nicotine through vaping.”

Trump administration announces plan to ban electronic cigarettes and related products

Recently, the Trump administration has announced its intention to ban flavored e-cigarettes. The ban comes amidst the news of a sixth death related to THC-laced vape products and that there has been a rise in vaping-related lung diseases. The ban will focus on removing products like flavored electronic cigarettes, vapes and Juuls from the market. However, companies will be able to re-submit their products to the market once they have been screened by the FDA.

Vapes and other related devices carry far more risks than people think. “Nicotine can disrupt brain development, interfere with long-term cognitive functioning and increase the risk of various mental and physical problems later in life,” said Dr. Linda Richter of the Center for Addiction.

With the announcement of the administrations intention to ban vapes, there has been a sudden increase in state measures to ban e-cigarettes and vapes. Just recently New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced his intention to pursue emergency regulations to ban the sale of flavored e-cigarettes and vape products. New York would follow Michigan as the second state to ban such products.

“Vaping is dangerous,” Cuomo said during a press conference on Sept. 15. “There has been no long-term study, so no one can sit here and say ‘long-term use of vaping where you’re inhaling steam and chemicals’ is healthy.”

However, not everyone shares the same opinions about the ban.

“The ban seems somewhat misguided to me, considering that I feel there hasn’t been enough research for them to make a policy decision,” said Caleb Conaway, a political science and Spanish major on campus. “I am concerned about the safety risks that come with Vape, Juul and other products, but I feel like the administration isn’t making their decision based off of enough information. I also feel as if the Trump administration is wearing a set of blinders right now and focusing on this specific issue while there are a lot of other issues that are more pressing.”

“For example, the administration has been cutting back on climate change regulations, which arguably has a worse affect on the health and safety of American citizens,” Conaway continued. “It has been refusing to push common sense gun control legislation, and instead it has decided to focus on vapes and Juuls almost as a scapegoat to bring the focus away from these issues.”

Bernie Sanders, a front runner candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, even called out the administration in a recent tweet. Quoting a tweet from CNBC news article with the title “Trump administration readies ban on flavored e-cigarettes amid outbreak of vaping related deaths,” Sanders responded by simply saying “Now do AR-15’s.”

“I have mixed feelings, but overall I think it’s a good decision,” said James Fitzpatrick, a political science, theatre and writing major. “I’m not a fan of vaping, and I don’t think you should be restricted if you’re in your own home, but you shouldn’t be allowed to do it in public places. Overall I think anything that restricts access to nicotine, reduces the amount of nicotine on campus in the hands of young adults, is a good thing. Minors especially.”

Written by Ryan Smith and Olive Thompson