Introduction
Vaping refers to the huffing of a vapor generated by an electronic cigarette or other vaping device (Davis, 2017). This method has not been around long enough for individuals to realize its effects on the body over time. The debate that flavored vape products is the leading cause of the lung disease outbreak is unjustifiable. The Utah government has used an illogical and not well thought of approach in forbidding the products (Schripp et al., 2013). The flavored products in question were actually inspected by the relevant regulatory body under the government, given a sterile bill of health and discharged into the market (Kirsten, 2012). Unfortunately, the black market now offers various vape products whose ingredients superiorly explain why there is an outbreak.
A majority of individuals believe vaping to be less harmful than smoking. This may be true given that e-cigarette aerosol does not incorporate all the contaminants present in tobacco smoke. However, it is still quite unsafe. The move to prohibit flavored vape products is not a practical measure in curbing the disease. It leaves out the consideration that both non-flavored and flavored products have the same chemicals yet the latter is safe (de Rugy, 2019). Vape users are now coerced into the available non-regulated black market products that would worsen the outbreak. Therefore, the prohibition of flavored vape products from vape shops is not a suitable solution to the lung disease outbreak at all.
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Discussion
Recent statistics indicate that so far, there have been over 70 cases of vaping-associated lung diseases in Utah. As already indicated, the Utah Department of Health blames it on THC cartridges, warning its residents to stop using them (Gruszczynski, 2019). The containers, which fit onto vape pens, are illegal in Utah, and are obtained from the black markets or states where marijuana is lawful in that form (Bullen et al., 2013). Notably, there have been a total of 805 cases in America associated with vaping and e-cigarette use, where 82 of them recorded exclusive use of nicotine-containing products (Davies, 2017). The means that THC cartridges were not connected to all recorded lung diseases.
According to vaping industry officials, their products are not the real issue, insisting that they have been on the market for the last decade and are controlled by the FDA, which has not allowed them to transform their formulations (Maloney & Hernandez, 2019). The main problem is the THC containers. Additionally, the vaping industry officials said that there are distinct products and that they do not sell black market THC commodities in vape shops (Mulcahy, 2019). Putting them out of business by prohibiting all flavored vape products will actually do nothing for black market drugs.
While it is true that vaping products are not for young individuals and their availability should be limited, a ban on flavored products are bound to hurt the $1.1 billion sector that employs over 7,000 individuals, bringing in over one billion dollars in taxes (Bullen et al., 2013). Presently, health officials are still puzzling over why some who vape exhibit serious respiratory diseases to the extent of dying (Siegel et al., 2011). The CDCP’s examination has highlighted over 1,600 cases but is yet to determine a sole cause explaining all the cases.
Vape influencers together with experienced vapers cite that a federal flavor prohibition will establish a black market for non-licensed retailers, leading to increased risk of lung illnesses and use among under-aged kids (Gruszczynski, 2019). A prohibition means making inexperienced vapers and adolescents prone to black market sellers who can take advantage of their lack of knowledge. If all flavored nicotine pods are prohibited, it would make it harder to determine how genuine vendors’ products actually are (Kirsten, 2012). Prior to Washington State passing its flavor prohibition, a majority from the vape industry condemned the move as erroneous and heavy-handed. Some public health professionals even warned that the prohibition could backfire.
The flavor prohibition suggested by the Trump Administration together with particular members of Congress will do little in addressing underage use of e-cigarettes or managing marketing of vapor products (Maloney & Hernandez, 2019). Moreover, it is evidenced that this prohibition will have severe and immediate unfavorable effects on America and state economies leading to the closing of thousands of small businesses, laying off of thousands of American employees, and elimination of rivalry. Adult smokers will have no option but to start smoking again or recourse to black markets (Hampton, 2014). Absence of flavors combined with a wide range of products on the market, will lead to closure of FDA-controlled and FDA-registered American vapor product allocation chain.
Compared to conventional cigarette smoking, vaping does not have ‘second-hand smoke’ emitted by smokers, thus assist in cutting down the amount of cigarettes smoked. Furthermore, the juice that the electronic cigarettes contain constitutes vegetable glycerin, pure nicotine, and propylene glycol (Schripp et al., 2013). Notably, in an effort of tobacco organizations to increase their sales, individuals started smoking more regularly. It became cheaper and easier to use. In the end, health problems and deaths linked to tobacco use became a global concern. To date, smoking cigarettes is still a hazardous and unacceptable addiction.
What most smokers do not realize is that smoking tobacco is actually a firm psychological element that does not allow them to give up their addiction (Kirsten, 2012). Some smokers find it aesthetic to exhale or inhale smoke, or have different reasons to continue tobacco use. This simply means that tobacco smoking is a behavioral pattern that consists of repetitive responses and situations (de Rugy, 2019). Liquids used in e-cigarettes have fewer poisonous components, and do not incorporate the products that are usually burned in cigarettes (Maloney & Hernandez, 2019). As already indicated, vapor from these technological cigarettes is mainly harmless to non-smokers and smells and tastes better. This is part of the reason why vaping is considered a less reproached habit.
It is argued that vaping tends to encourage unconstructive habits among previous non-smokers, given that the act of smoking is habit-forming. However, various surveys and researches have shown that this approach actually assists reduce a smoker’s habit or makes them quit altogether (Davies, 2017). In a recent New Zealand research, e-cigarettes proved to be as effective as nicotine patches (Siegel, et al., 2011). All current studies point to the fact that vaping is indeed better than smoking. So far, there has been no proof that vaping is undermining most nations’ falling smoking rates (Mulcahy, 2019). Interestingly, about 44.8% of the population is unaware that e-cigarettes are less harmful compared to cigarette smoking.
The false thinking that vaping is as harmful as smoking, in the real sense, prevents thousands of smokers from shifting to e-cigarettes to assist them quit. There is also enough evidence from the CDC of not having specified or identified a true link between vaping and lung disease (Davies, 2017). Despite the fact that the cases being reported are similar, it is not clear if they have a similar cause, or if they are distinct illnesses presenting similar symptoms.
Conclusion
Some individuals may argue that vaping is as harmful as cigarette smoking because they are both considered to be behavioral patterns constituting repetitive reactions and circumstances. Others have linked vaping to increased cases of lung illnesses, especially in the United States. However, recent studies that have thoroughly been conducted by different organizations and specialists suggest that vaping is actually less harmful than smoking. Furthermore, it is believed that banning flavored vape products will result in increased black markets and more adult smokers. That is why banning flavors is not a solution to the program. Instead, governments should consider regulating these products and finding other alternatives to help smokers quit.
References
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De Rugy, V. (2019). ‘ The FDA created illegal and dangerous vapes .’ Retrieved on 9 November 2019 from https://www.aier.org/article/the-fda-created-illegal-and-dangerous-vapes/
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Mulcahy, L. (2019). ‘ Everything you need to know about the mysterious vaping lung disease in theU.S. ’ Retrieved on 9 November 2019 from https://parade.com/916916/lisamulcahy/vaping-lung-disease/
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