The Danger of Vaping on Youth and its Cause leading to Vaping Ban in US

Vaping in U.S. (Photo Credit: Business Day)

Vaping, also known as using an e-cigarette, has caught the public attention due to growing concerns about the physical impact on users including teenagers. The e-cigarette has been considered as an alternative to traditional smoking; however, its use is on the verge of prohibition in America. During an U.S. Oval Office meeting on September 11 2019, President Donald Trump voiced his concern about the effects of vaping, saying, “People are dying with vaping, so we’re looking at it very closely”. The growth of teen vaping has doubled within the last two years. There was even a case of a teenager suing the a vaping company.

The sale of vape products have been temporarily prohibited in several U.S. states and cities, including Massachusetts and San Francisco in response to its devastating outbreak of health threats to youth. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 805 cases of lung injuries reported in 46 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In addition to that, ten states have announced that there have been thirteen death related to vaping in total this year. Approximately 70 percent of youth vaping users choose flavors as the main purpose of using e-cigarette. In spite of the assessment from the Food and Drug Administration that it is safe to eat some of the additives, such as the flavoring, it is unknown whether it is dangerous to inhale them or not. The US Centers for Disease Control has reported that the cadmium or carcinogens in heated aerosols could deliver severe symptoms to the body such as irritation and inflammation in the lungs.

Despite vaping being intended to be utilized as a replacement for smoking, it has caused unexpected consequences to the users. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with the CDC, is still investigating the incidents associated with vaping and pulmonary illness. It took decades to find clear evidence of cigarette’s dangers and it might take a decade or more to identify the main problem causing chemicals of e-cigarettes.

Written by Sooyoun Kim|Staff Writer