The Story

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Why is there a blog about vaping?

I started smoking cigarettes at the age of 13. I was young and had plenty of support and education to know better. No one in my family used tobacco. In fact, I had multiple talks with my parents about avoiding tobacco, and plenty of education in school. Unfortunately, as a young man I bought into the advertising that tobacco manufactures sold me. I wanted to be cool. I wanted to be wild and free. I wanted to show the world I was capable of being my own adult. It took me about 12 years before I realized how terrible this choice was for me. Only until I found my self deployed in the military with limited access to cigarettes did I even try to quit. Since that time, I have been tobacco free for well over 10 years. I have grown up, gotten an education in health care, and am working on my doctorate. In returning to school I have noted a marked increase in the use of vaping among young adults and under-aged teens. I have also seen an increase in the use of advertising targeting youth with vaping specific products as well as the increased presence of “vape shops” in my community. This concerns me as a health professional. Even with multiple new policies being created including an increase of the legal age required to purchase vaping supplies in Arizona, more of our youth are starting to vape and use tobacco. There is a new target for tobacco and it’s our youth.

This shift in perspective of the hazards related to e-cigarette use is alarming. I personally know how easy it is to start using tobacco. Things like flavoured and colored “E-Juice” and social media influencers marketing light up and designer vaporizers continue to push these products onto a new, younger generation.

This YouTube video sponsored by an e-cigarette company highlights the targeted marketing that is being focused on young Americans today. the above videos push is towards youth and uses bright colors and techno music. It also describes vaping as a sport/hobby.

The National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that teens are being exposed to advertising regarding E-cigarettes at a disproportionate rate

NIH also has statistics regarding teens who use E-cigarettes and their likelihood to start smoking compared to non-users. The data shows a much higher rate of use with e-cigarettes. Data on what teens think are is their E-juice are also listed. It’s important to know that there is no requirement to list what is actually in the product.

There is currently some traction in my community. As of January 1, 2020, Arizona legislation increased the legal age of tobacco use to 21 years of age in Tucson. There are also representatives in the local community seeking to improve the vaping and tobacco situation in our community.

Heather Carter, legislative senator for District 15, has spear-headed several bills regarding tobacco and is looking to make vaping advertisements to be governed by the same laws as tobacco.

References

Fischer, H. (2019). Proposed law would regulate vaping products, raise legal age to use them in Arizona. Retrieved from https://tucson.com/news/local/proposed-law-would-regulate-vaping-products-raise-legal-age-to/article_090af754-ef07-5c89-8e2f-72e7fad723b3.html

Lawrence, A. [vAustinL]. (2019, January 20). Best Colored Vape Tricks . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwhN7EsVNSo

National institute of Health. (2016). Teens and E-cigarettes. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics/infographics/teens-e-cigarettes

Sayers, J. (2019). Tucson tobacco ordinance could precede renewed push for statewide law. Retrieved from https://tucson.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/tucson-tobacco-ordinance-could-precede-renewed-push-for-statewide-law/article_1b4fb555-318f-5ab0-9878-da03022219f1.html

Senate Members (2020). Senate Member Heather Carter. [JPG]. Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/senate-member/?legislature=54&legislator=1931

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