Vaping, the new age of smoking

A recent and controversial trend rising in America is the ever-popular electric cigarette, or more commonly known as the vapor pen. The new form of smokeless smoking creates a flavored vapor for the user to inhale in place of traditional cigarettes. They have gained rapid popularity due to social media viral trends and a number of other factors. The movement has struck up a lot of debate and controversy as attack ads have been made to stifle the growth of the product.

A recent and controversial trend rising in America is the ever-popular electric cigarette, or more commonly known as the vapor pen. The new form of smokeless smoking creates a flavored vapor for the user to inhale in place of traditional cigarettes. They have gained rapid popularity due to social media viral trends and a number of other factors. The movement has struck up a lot of debate and controversy as attack ads have been made to stifle the growth of the product.

Originally, the idea for a vapor based nicotine supplement came about as a way to aid smokers in their attempts to quit traditional cigarettes. Vapors begin with a vapor juice that has the same amount of nicotine as a cigarette, then gradually wean off the nicotine by using mixtures with less until they reach a mix with no or very little nicotine in it, Despite its created purpose, many have opted to pick up the habit regardless of previous addiction. Kids, teens, and adults alike all seem to be picking up the habit because they believe it to be a safe alternative.

The trouble is that there is an absence of government regulation and oversight and scientists are struggling to research the product thoroughly and determine if the vapor has any long-term effects on the user. Many people are wary to trust the companies that create the pens because of the way that cigarettes companies in the past were able to get people addicted by telling users that cigarettes weren’t unhealthy. And the majority of vapor cigarettes are produced by tobacco selling companies, trying to cash in on this new form of addiction.

Tobacco Free CA released an aggressive attack ad against big tobacco, saying that the users of vapor pens are this generation’s new lab rats, and arguing that this new form of smoking targets minors with its marketing. Other anti-tobacco companies have taken to social media and even the music-streaming site Spottily to release their advertisements, and spread its message.

But because the trend rose so quickly and is so recent, scientists are finding it difficult to definitively state what the long-term effects of continued use are. This has left many people confused and unsure of what to believe as users are berated on both sides with contradictory messages about their danger.

People should exercise caution until solid and decisive scientific research comes out on the health risks of usage. Tobacco companies were able to get a generation of people addicted to cigarettes through misinformation and strategic advertising. Users of the vapor pens should do thorough research on the product beforehand and use in moderation until the time that the evidence is more substantial.