There was a time when e-cigarettes were viewed as a healthy alternative to kick the habit of traditional cigarettes. In order to wean off cigarettes that cause nicotine addiction and cancer, e-cigarettes were marketed as the solution for cessation. Before, e-cigarettes and the e-juice were even FDA approved; products such as the JUUL started to gain popularity, especially with teens.
JUUL started targeting teens with its marketing strategy which entailed bright colors for their packaging, juice with juvenile flavors, and making the product small enough to hide from guardians. Seven in ten teens were exposed to this advertising, making them more susceptible to want to try e-cigarettes. Even though there was an age limit at stores and online, teenagers still managed to get their hands on e-cigarettes and e-juice. With the ease of getting e-cigarettes, an epidemic broke out with approximately 35 percent of teens vaping in 2019, according to Monitoring the Future. In more startling statistics, 11.7 percent of high school seniors started vaping every day.
As the progression of teen e-cigarette consumption increased, e-juice containing THC became another factor in the epidemic. Black market e-juice which included Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, also became a problem. These black market products not only consisted of drugs, but the other ingredients were also unknown. With all these aspects concerning vaping, we are now at a place where vaping continues to cause lung disease in teens.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) kept an update for cases regarding lung disease from vaping up until the middle of February. Approximately 2,800 cases have been reported with hospitalization, or death, from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories. EVALI, or E-cigarette or Vaping Associated Lung Injury, rose in August of 2019 and peaked in September of 2019. The CDC produced information to prevent and decline the outbreak of EVALI, but there are cases still popping up.
What the CDC recommends is that teens, young adults, and women who are pregnant should not consume e-cigarettes, with THC or nicotine, in any capacity. The other recommendation is to only use vape products that are sold legitimately instead of from second-hand sources or from online dealers. Most importantly, if an individual quits smoking traditional cigarettes by vaping, they should not go back to smoking cigarettes. Replacing one for another is unproductive and both will continue to cause health problems.
Valiant Living offers evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado. We also foster connections, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. We are waiting to hear from you today! 303-536-5463
