Juuling and e-cigarette use has become an addiction within youth culture over the past year or so. Juul and other vape companies are becoming the new and revamped “Big Tobacco” companies by targeting kids at a young age.
The slim USB looking design makes it easy to hide and fruit/candy flavors appeal to kids who have adopted the idea that it is trendy to own one. It has also become popular on social media sites for youth to post videos of themselves doing tricks with the vapor. Many kids think it’s safe to consume because they believe they are just inhaling water vapor, but in fact, Juuls contain the same amount, if not more nicotine than a traditional cigarette. “According to the Juul website, the devices create an aerosol rather than using a flame to activate the ingredients. The company says the product produces a level of nicotine similar to a traditional cigarette in order to satisfy cigarette smokers who switch to vaping” (Zernike, 2018, New York Times).
The companies who make these products claim to help cigarette smokers quit their addiction, but at the same time they are starting an addiction for kids who have never smoked before. Many companies, like Juul are in denial that their products are specifically targeting young kids and that it is not their fault that youth are becoming attracted to the idea of owning a Juul.
Government agencies (FDA) as well as activist groups have pushing for change of the purchasing age, as well as production and marketing of Juuls to make them less kid friendly and more for the purpose of what the actual aim of the product is, which is helping former smokers quit smoking tobacco products. Recently (a few days ago), the FDA announced that they will place a ban on the selling of flavored Juul pods with the exception of mint and menthol flavors. They will also set forth age verification tactics so that it will be hard for underage consumers to buy the flavor pods online. The question that remains is will this ban be successful in keeping minors away from purchasing Juul pods or will they still find a way to get these pods from a third party source?
-S.L.
Mental Health and Addictions 