Written by Aarushi Dedhiya
In the twenty-first century, vaping has grown in popularity among youth. The number of vaping cases is increasing rapidly as businesses continue to market their goods to more kids and teens.
There has been a widespread misperception in recent years that vapes are harmless and won’t affect a person’s health. But the facts show that this is not the case.
Young people who use vapes or other nicotine-containing devices may become addicted on nicotine, an addictive substance that can negatively affect their current and future health. Because vaping has harmful effects, it can potentially cause nicotine toxicity. Additionally, vapes contain thousands of compounds, one of which was discovered to be a component of a particular insecticide.
But this problem is more ancient than the commodity itself.
One of the main causes of this problem is the many marketing techniques used by vaping companies to entice young people to purchase their goods. Some businesses have made their products to resemble toys or commonplace objects, which makes them less obvious to parents and educators and more alluring to purchase. The worst part is that more commercials highlight how pleasant and cool vaping is.
Adolescent e-cigarette users most frequently use fruit flavorings, according to several research. Young people find it more difficult to stop consuming drugs when they are exposed to these delicious flavors. According to a survey published in the Journal of Studies on Addiction and Drugs, fewer young people would use e-cigarettes if companies stopped utilizing these flavors.
More has been done to make sure that everyone in America lives in a healthy environment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically prohibited the sale of several illegally flavored e-cigarettes in 2020.
Stricter rules are currently being put in place to stop businesses from marketing sweet and delicious vapes. The FDA has even rejected marketing applications for certain goods that are thought to be harmful to the general public.
According to survey results, the vaping rate decreased to about 5.9% in 2024, which is 1.8% lower than the previous year, as a result of all this effort and additional organizations opposing vaping businesses.
However, tobacco and vaping firms are retaliating as additional changes occur. Companies like Elf Bar actually change their names to avoid import limitations, which enables them to keep selling their goods and connect with youth. Businesses are working harder to ensure that their products are accessible to everyone, and teens make up the majority of their target market.
The Food and Drug Administration v. Wages and White Lion Investments, LLC case has now made its way to the Supreme Court. The FDA’s rejection of marketing applications for e-cigarettes with fruit and dessert flavors is at the center of this dispute.
Justices are still split on this case after hearing from the companies and the FDA. One side believes that flavored e-cigarettes are harmful to minors, but the other side is wondering if the FDA altered or omitted certain requirements to unfairly disadvantage those companies during the application process. The outcome of this dispute, which will be resolved before June 2025, could affect the supply of tasty vapes in the US.
Action must be taken to stop youth vaping, even though the future of sweet nicotine-containing products is questionable. We can end the delicious advertising trap and ensure a healthy future for young people if we prevent vaping companies from targeting youth and raise knowledge about the risks linked with their products.