Unintended Consequences and Regulatory Issues of Electronic Cigarettes

Ironically, the use of e-cigarettes was used to help people to quit smoking which has led to a new type of epidemic- vaping has become a stepping stone towards drug use and abuse. Recently researchers realized that the invention of e-cigarettes, most commonly known as 'vapes,' provides consumers of nicotine products another venue to satisfy their addiction. By bringing e-cigarettes into this world, we’ve created a future of no improvement and failure, history is bound to repeat itself. For this reason, the same regulations that were once directed at the tobacco industry must also now be leveled against the e-cigarette industry.

From Cigarettes to E-cigarettes

Of the many devices that have been invented for nicotine delivery, the cigarette is the most well-known. However, advertising campaigns about the dangers of smoking helped people realize how unhealthy smoking actually is. When people became more educated about smoking, quitting became an easier choice. This allowed nicotine product companies an opportunity to replace the ever less popular cigarette with a “safe” alternative. As researched by Cassandra Perez, an associate editor for the RT magazine refers to a prior study where, “Glantz explained that not enough time has passed to be able to measure the heart attack risk and to prove conclusively that the ultra-fine particles in e-cigarettes have the same effects as those in cigarettes and diesel exhaust,” (Perez 16). Dr. Gibson-Young, an associate professor with Auburn University School of Nursing in Alabama, and Dr. Martinasek, an associate professor of Public Health at the University of Tampa state, “Another difference is that JUUL and PHIX do not have the appearance of a cigarette or typical vaping device, and they can be wrapped to customize them with designs,” (Gibson-Young and Martinasek 5). In other words, this is just a single way nicotine companies are focusing on selling vape products to teens.

Evolution of Vaping, From Healthier Alternatives to Modern Dilemmas

The idea of vaping came to be because people wanted to stop the use of cigarettes. The rise in awareness of the harm of cigarettes, led to technolgical advancements, Joseph Robinson invented a device of the vape. Joseph Robinson created the e-cigarette, which intended to be a healthier way of cigarettes. Unfortunately, times have changed and more chemicals were added into these vapes, making them equally as bad as cigarettes. Also by the journal, “Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week”, “In addition to smoking tobacco for pleasure, indigenous people believed that the plant possessed medicinal qualities and it was used it in spiritual ceremonies and rituals,” ('Illustration of Tobacco' 271-73). People back then didn’t know if tobacco was even good for them, they were under the impression that it will help with their medical needs. Stated by T. Lynn Kozlowski, who works in the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University of Buffalo, “In 1985, the US Congress was strengthening the required warnings for cigarettes, and in 1986, the first warnings would be required on SLT,” (Kozlowski). There are many different advertisements out there that want to open up our eyes and show us how much of a bad effect these vaping products are for us. Up until today the main goal when first creating e-cigarettes, was to eliminate them, however this still hasn’t been successful.

A Substitute Leading to Addiction

History is repeating itself because vaping hasn’t changed things for the better. People have been starting to become addicted, the same as cigarettes. To put it differently, e-cigarettes are simply just acting as a subsitute not as a healthier replacement. While the invention of the vape was one of the main goals to get people off of cigarettes but in reality it’s made more people addicted to it. To further show this, “Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week,” a journal that specializes in health and fitness states, “Research at the University of York, involving a trial with more than 500 daily shisha smokers in Pakistan, where shisha smoking is particularly common, showed that varenicline - a medication used to help tackle cigarette smoking - did not make a difference in assisting shisha smokers break

The Menace of Nicotine Marketing and Addiction Among Kids

the habit,” ('Common Anti-smoking Treatment Makes No Difference in Shisha Tobacco Addiction” 479). Studies have shown that just by giving a substitute of smoking it still doesn’t make a difference. “The existence of e-cigarettes is inhibiting quitting by established smokers and it's promoting nicotine addiction and smoking among kids,' (Perez 16). “Appealing, child-friendly flavorings are a marketing endeavor to attract adolescents, disguise harsh tobacco, and facilitate nicotine addiction,” (Douglass and Solecki 24). Nicotine addiction has been becoming very popular among kids and by doing that we are destroying our future.“The popular use of similar 'not harmless' and 'no safe tobacco product' messages may be also susceptible to misinterpretation, especially in the absence of information expressing differential product harms,” (Kozlowski). Till today, we still don’t know enough information to support that e-cigarettes are “healthy”. Based on how things are developing, the near future looks troubling for today’s children.

A Deceptive Path to Progress or a Reckless Repeat of History?

People might say that e-cigarettes are a right step for the future, but in reality it is repeating the past. As stated by Lynne Dawkins and Olivia Corcoran fromin the Medicines Research Group at the University of East London, “In experienced users clearly demonstrate that e-cigarettes can deliver measurable levels of nicotine” (Dawkins and Corcoran 401). Although this may be true, it still has measurable levels of nicotine, which shows how harmful it really is. There is a percentage of people who go to cigarettes or harder drugs. According to Dr. Douglass, a Nurse Practitioner Program in Drexel University and Dr. Solecki, an assistant clinical professor of nursing in Drexel University express, “Harmful effects have been found from e-cigarette aerosol and additives. Brief exposure to propylene glycol aerosol has been reported to be a respiratory and eye irritant in patients without asthma” (Douglass and Solecki 24). “The effects of potentially harmful doses of heated and aerosolized ingredients of e-cigarette liquids including solvents, flavorings, and toxicants are not fully understood” (Douglass and Solecki 24). As claimed by, 'How Vaping Helps Even Hardened Smokers Quit,” from the journal, “Obesity, Fitness & Wellness Week,” “And that even people who didn't want to stop smoking, have eventually quit because they found vaping more enjoyable,” ('How Vaping Helps Even Hardened Smokers Quit' 3377). However, it is clear that society today is not learning from the mistakes made in the past, but is repeating the same harmful actions.

Balancing Healthier Alternatives with Emerging Risks and Regulatory Challenges

A lot of people wonder if vaping is healthy, while it’s healthier than cigarettes it’s still is harmful. They recently have been coming with up with influential strategies such as indoor smoking restrictions, advertising bans aimed at children, taxation and education. Regulations should stop there business process, “Vaping has gained huge popularity among the younger population and is an area wherein expanded tobacco control policies and enhanced surveillance of current and emerging patterns of use are needed” (Douglass and Solecki 24). It is important to realize that vaping products have become very popular with younger kids because many of them don’t know the effects they will have on them in the long run.

Conclusion

Researchers are concerned that vaping may encourage people to smoke or have a relapse. Dr. Caitlin Notley is a Senior Lecturer in Mental Health, and a Research Fellow of the UK Society for the Study of Addiction explains, “Although studies are beginning to show that the health impact of vaping may be comparable to NRT use [4], there are concerns from some public health perspectives that vaping may 'renormalize' 'smoking-like' behaviors” (Notley). In that case, we don’t know what to expect with e-cigarettes, since we don’t know the enough information about it. It’s pretty obvious that the past is going to reoccur with all the popularity it’s been getting from young teenagers, which are the future.