Hin Lok, the inventor of
the electronic cigarette, claims “The e-cigarette is the alternative to smoking
cigarettes” (Boseley). This educated hypothesis has convinced much of the
smoking population that e-cigarettes have become a healthier form of smoking
cessation. Disregarding the truth of the previous statement, these devices have
glamourized smoking amongst the younger generation within the United States.
These devices are sleek, convenient, discreet, and pose a healthier way to use
nicotine. The features previously listed are just some of the characteristics
being advertised for these continuously evolving devices to customers. These
traits are the perfect formula for the younger generation to feed their
experimental curiosity stage, of their life.
This
glamorization amongst minors is a goal that many members of the United States
Food and Drug Administration have worked effortlessly to avoid. Videos and
pictures found on social media of college students “chasing clouds” and
performing smoke tricks have only increased the wonder and curiosity among the
younger crowd. But these devices are a healthier method to nix addictive habits,
and ought to be advertised with intentions on providing the user with the
comfort of knowing that smoking cessation will be achieved with ease. The
misrepresentation of electronic cigarettes, by our youth, is making it
difficult for adults who are trying to use these devices as initially invented
for. The absence of long-term effects among users results in unexplored
knowledge of associated hazards, preventing awareness to the users of this
newfound social epidemic of “vaping” on electronic cigarettes. The resulting
data analysis from multiple studies shows a concerning trend of users who are
underage. This data doesn’t bode well with the FDA, who are making a vast
effort to gain control of this “epidemic of addiction” (Gottlieb). The main
concern of the FDA involves to alarming rise of participating users and the
fear of the addictive drug, nicotine, being a gateway to more harmful drugs and
addiction.
The
e-cigarette has been around longer than one would believe, dating back to 1965
when Herbert A. Gilbert (“Historical”) received a patent and created the first
prototypes that never made it beyond the room it was created in. When e-cigs
first appeared on the consumer market there was a feeling amongst users that
this could be a helpful way to quit smoking combustible forms of tobacco. These
devices can “resemble traditional tobacco cigarettes (cig-a-likes), cigars, or
pipes, or even everyday items like pens or USB memory sticks” (“Electronic”).
Nicknames among the e-cigarette community are “e-cigs, e-hookahs, hookah pens,
vapes, vape pens, and mods” (1). Hin Lok created the first commercially
successful e-cigarette, in 2003, after the death of his father due to lung
cancer (1). Lok is a heavy smoker, like his father, and his goal was to create
the “only satisfactory way to deliver nicotine alone in a relaxing fashion
which might enable one to give up conventional cigarettes was through some form
of smoking” (“Historical”). His first idea involved “using a piezoelectric
ultrasound element to vaporize a nicotine solution in a devise resembling a
cigarette” (“Electronic”). After the discovery of these devices, verities of
models started to gain popularity throughout the world. Electronic cigarettes
were introduced in Europe in April 2006 and in the United States around
2006-2007 (“Historical”). Now a worldwide phenomenon, surveys and studies have
shown that many users believe these devices to be a healthier alternative to
smoking, and this belief has caught the attention of the youth. A vast
selection of alluring flavors accompanied with a great social media following
has proven to appeal subconsciously to the younger generation. A few samples of
flavors targeting the youth resemble foods or drinks such as gummy bears,
cherry cola, and rice krispies.
According
to a study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, children as young
as 13 years old have admitted to using e-cigarettes (“Teens”). Advertisement
for these profound devices can be found in many variations of sources. From ads
on social media, radio and television commercials, or videos posted on social
media accounts of teenagers having fun with these devices. Young teens are
exposed to the idea of using electronic cigarettes as a popular habit to adapt
during the time in their life when they are trying to establish a
self-identity. The variety of different e-cigarette models allows one to choose
a device based on the functionalities that favor the user. Some of these models
allow customizable and interchangeable parts, another example attributing to
teen use. Out of the many generations of devices, the most common to be
favorited by the underage teens are the “cartridge-based e-cigarette”
(Gottlieb). Most of these cartridge-based e-cigs are discreet in size compared
to their counterparts, mods, that are
equipped with a much bigger battery and tank that holds more liquid. Mods
require constant maintenance and the need to carry a vile filled with the
e-liquid of choice. Cartridge-based e-cigs like JUUL are compact and have a
capsule refill, and the total size of the device resembles a USB memory stick.
With products like JUUL, there’s no need to carry around a bottle throughout
the day and constantly make a mess when filling the tank with e-liquid. When
the cartridge is empty, the user simply throws that specific cartridge away and
insert a new cartridge.
It is well known that the “youth have always
had a knack for getting hold of and using products they are forbidden to have”
(“About Electronic”). Teenagers make strides to ensure the knowledge of their
illicit use never reaches their parents. Before these devices were created, one
would have to endure great measures to contain confidentiality. Hands had to be
washed, gum chewed, and a hat worn to prevent the scent of smoke being
entrapped in the user’s hair. An attribute of “vaping” is the vapor that is
produced from the e-cigarettes doesn’t leave a lingering odor; it can be used
inside and dissipates just as quick as it was exhaled leaving it almost
unnoticeable. Ease of use and concealment could be one of the many reasons for
such a surge in use amongst teenagers.
Despite
the negative attention the e-cigarettes have gained, they’re a healthier
alternative to smoking and have been used by many as a smoking cessation. There
is still the threat of some of the harsh chemicals but not nearly as much as
one could find in an actual cigarette. The combustion process of smoking
tobacco produces carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarettes that include
nicotine, carbon monoxide, arsenic, acetone, ammonia, toluene, methylamine,
pesticides, polonium-210, methanol, and tar (“What’s in”). The vaping process
“alters the chemical composition of the liquid very little” and “no new
chemicals are created and no tiny solid particles are generated” (“About
Electronic”). But studies have shown that certain brands of e-cigs contain
nickel, chromium, and cadmium which could be the result of the heating element
of the device (“Electronic”). The main ingredients of the liquids used for
these devices are composed of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and
flavors. Nicotine strength ranges from 0 to 18 milligrams per milliliter for
the user to choose from. Propylene glycol (PG) is an organic compound that is
used in many applications of everyday life (“About Electronic”). PG is used for
fog in movies, stabilizer for oral and topical drugs, and prevents packaged
goods from drying. Vegetable glycerin (VG) is derived from plant oils and
provides a sweet taste and produces a thicker vapor. The flavoring used for
e-liquid can be found in common food and drinks and hold no health issues. Each
of these components have been in use for many years and have yet to show any
ill effects on the health of an individual (1). An issue among the products
used to make the e-liquid are the potency of nicotine within the liquid from
each manufacturer (Gottlieb). Advertisements claim that their products have a
specific amount of nicotine but have shown to have a different amount than what
was advertised (1). Until there is a consistency among these products, it will
be difficult for scientist to get accurate results from tests.
Scott
Gottlieb, the Commissioner of The Food and Drug Administration, has expressed
that the FDA knows that the e-cigarettes are a much healthier way to use
nicotine and that the process of restricting sales to teens will be an
inconvenience to those who use legally. It is understood that there is no
intention for discontinuing e-cigarettes completely. Roughly 1-million
e-cigarette users have admitted to quitting smoking altogether claiming it was
due to e-cig use (“About Electronic”). These reports are based on users who
take part in surveys and voluntary questionnaires that can be found on the
Consumer Advocates for Smoke Free Alternatives Association’s website (1). But
what the FDA will not tolerate is the ease of accessibility of these products
to minors.
Counter
active measures from the FDA include starting a Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan
to battle the rising rates of youth usage and bring awareness of tobacco use
and their effects on the growing juvenile mind. Since last spring “1,100
warning letters” and “131 civil money penalties” were issued to retail stores
that were caught selling to minors (Gottlieb). Some of the companies have
responded by discontinuing to stock the appealing flavors. The FDA has
assembled the “largest ever coordinated initiative” to combat the retailers who
continue to sell to minors, threatening to shut businesses down unless urgent
action is taken to prevent sales to teenagers (1). Many of the big-name companies
have been banned from internet sales to prevent “straw purchases” (1). Straw
purchases can be defined as a teenager who recently became of age buys multiple
devices from a site with the purpose of distribution to minors (1). Results of
studies show that use among teens tripled “between 2013 and 2014” and
adversely, teenagers that use conventional cigarettes “dropped from 16% to 9%”
(Harrington). This trend is something Gottlieb claims the agency will keep a
close eye on (Gottlieb).
After
years of use with these devices, results are convincing that the rumor of
e-cigarettes are a healthier form of smoking in general, is true. Personal
experience has strengthened the belief that these have a “better” effect on the
user’s body than actual cigarettes. Lung capacity wasn’t affected when trying
to run three miles during or walk up flights of stairs during vape use. During
use with combustible tobacco, completing three laps without stopping to rest
was an impossible task.
A
recent doctor visit brought to my attention that there are issues with high
blood pressure and this cause could be from e-cigarette usage. “Nicotine affects the cardiovascular
system (temporarily increases heart rate and blood pressure) which makes it a
concern for people with heart disease” (“About Electronic”). Nicotine’s
direct relation with blood pressure when being consumed is concerning given
there has yet to be a device that can accurately deliver consistent levels of
nicotine. Ever since quitting the use of e-cigarettes, my blood pressure
readings have had no issues. E-cigarettes did help to overcome smoking
combustible tobacco without feeling the need to smoke one again. Over a length
of time, it was discovered that vape use increased each day when compared to
the use of combustible cigarettes.
Addiction
should be closely examined with these products because to this day, struggles
to stay away from e-cigarette use are present each day. It is apparent after hearing multiple stories
of young thirteen years-old’s being expelled from
middle school for being in possession of these devices. It is assumed that
these kids had older brothers and the young teenagers acquired the devices from
them. This example displays just how easy it is to obtain electronic cigarette
devices for underage teens.
For
millions, e-cigarettes are the best solution to use for nicotine consumption
over the archaic life-threatening past time of combustible products. The FDA
knows that e-cigarettes are vital to end combustible smoking and strive to
thwart teen usage but still be available for adults. The main concern is to
curb the rising trend of underage teen usage (e.g. see fig. 1). Manufacturers
such as JUUL, Vuse, MarkTen, blu e-cigs, and Logic “represent more than 97
percent of the current market for e-cigs” (Gottlieb). The primary goals of the
Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan are to educate teens, parents, teachers, coaches,
and other influencers of youth on the effects of using electronic cigarette
products, prevent easy accessibility to the devices, and to rid the market of
the enticing flavors that favor teens (Office). The Surgeon General is
requesting that all governments carry out strategies “such as including
e-cigarettes in smokefree indoor air policies, restricting youth access to
e-cigarettes in retail settings, licensing retailers, and establishing specific
package requirements” to help reduce use amongst the youth (1).
The
FDA is also encouraging manufacturers to produce consistent levels of nicotine
in their products. With the limitations being placed on the market, legal users
fear, there’s potential that e-cigarettes could be banned from the market if
trends for teens use do not slow down, which would be devasting for those that
choose to use these products in an effort of cessation (Barlow). Additionally,
the FDA will now begin to monitor online purchases, for many of the businesses
that will still be allowed to use this platform, to ensure no straw purchases
are made (Office).
Albert
Camus believes that there are no actual goals in life for life being absurd (Maguire). His beliefs would not apply to this topic because life is
pointless from the start. If there was a relation, based on what we know about Camus, he would lack care for either
outcome of this event. He would see this as a way for people to endure the
daily lifestyle of the absurd. Much like the story of Sisyphus, who had to
repeatedly push a boulder up a mountain, could have found some form of
enjoyment with his lifelong task. Whether or not an individual would want to
smoke combustible tobacco or use electronic cigarettes doesn’t deter from the
fact that it can be viewed as a form of enjoyment. Camus viewed suicide as a
choice to no longer deal with the absurdity of life, so whether one was to live
or not due to health effects of nicotine use would hold little effect to him.
His thoughts would be that everyone has the choice to do what they will;
anything that breaks the consistent lifestyle as a form of distraction would be
widely accepted.
The
social effects of the misuse of electronic cigarettes among young adults is now
a worldwide epidemic that must be controlled and maintained. The importance of
this matter is critical seeing that nicotine is highly addictive and is seen as
a possible gateway to other, more harmful, chemicals. E-cigarettes have shown
to be an effective device for smoking cessation for those who choose to quit.
The FDA is aware of the benefits of using the electronic devices and encourage
those who smoke to use them. Though e-cigs do not contribute to second hand
smoke and have posed no critical short-term effects, thus far, the FDA has made
it their goal to prevent sales to underage teenagers. Efforts have been made to
stop online sales of e-cigs to reduce the chances of minors attaining products
easily through websites and businesses have been advised to take drastic
measures to prevent sales to minors by ridding the flavors that are so
attractive to the naïve mind.
Works Cited
“About
Electronic Cigarettes.” CASAA, CASAA - Consumer Advocates for Smoke-Free
Alternatives Association, 23 Aug. 2016, www.casaa.org/electronic-cigarettes/
Barlow,
Rich. “Will the Government Ban E-Cigarettes?” BU Today, 17 Sept. 2018, http://www.bu.edu/today/2018/will-the-government-ban-e-cigarettes/
Boseley, Sarah. “Hon Lik Invented the e-Cigarette
to Quit Smoking – but Now He's a Dual User.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 9 June 2015, www.theguardian.com/society/2015/jun/09/hon-lik-e-cigarette-inventor-quit-smoking-dual-user.
“Electronic
Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes).” NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse, www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/electronic-cigarettes-e-cigarettes
Gottlieb,
Scott. “Press Announcements - Statement from FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb,
M.D., on New Steps to Address Epidemic of Youth e-Cigarette Use.” U S Food
and Drug Administration Home Page, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research,
12 Sept. 2018, www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm620185.htm
Harrington,
Erika. “What are the Health and Social Impacts of Electronic Cigarettes? [Potty
Mouth].” Mineral Museum, Mar. 2015, https://sites.jmu.edu/gbio103/what-are-the-health-and-social-impacts-of-electronic-cigarettes-potty-mouth/
“Historical
Timeline of Electronic Cigarettes.” CASAA, CASAA, 18 Oct. 2018, www.casaa.org/historical-timeline-of-electronic-cigarettes/
Maguire,
Laura. “Camus and Absurdity.” Philosophy
Talk, 27 Feb. 2015, https://www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity
Office of the Surgeon General.
“E-Cigarette Use Among Youth and Young Adults.” Know the Risks: Electronic
Cigarettes and & Young People, 2016, https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/2016_SGR_Exec_Summ_508.pdf
“Teens
and E-Cigarettes.” NIDA, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Department of
Health and Human Services, 11 Feb. 2016, www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-e-cigarettes
“What's
in a Cigarette?” Irish Cancer Society, 30 May 2016, www.cancer.ie/reduce-your-risk/smoking/health-risks/whats-in-cigarettes#sthash.dinHbMw1.m46zYykq.dpbs
No comments:
Post a Comment