BANNING FLAVORED VAPING AS A LONG-TERM POLICY UNJUSTIFIED
Vaping is an alternative to combustible tobacco as a means of satisfying nicotine cravings: as Professor Michael Russell put it, “People smoke for nicotine but they die from the tar”.There’s conclusive evidence that completely substituting traditional cigarettes with e-cigarettes reduces smokers’ exposure to numerous toxicants and carcinogens present in combustible cigarettes.
The unpalatable flavor of e-liquids can thwart the benefits of vaping. Failure to switch from traditional cigarettes to vaping may do smokers more harm and can even be life-threatening. A distinctive solution to this issue is flavored e-liquids. Vaping doesn’t have to taste bad. A smoker who has difficulty switching to vaping because of the taste is a prime candidate for flavors. Many former smokers become disgusted by the taste and smell of tobacco over time because they’ve grown so accustomed to how pleasant e-liquids are instead. He or she won’t mind taking up e-liquids that taste like chocolate, mango, or even mint.
Flavor combinations can enhance the experience of vaping and make it easier to inhale. Whether it’s to stay off of smoking or simply because they enjoy this new activity, many vapors cite the variety of e-liquids as an integral part of vaping. Smokers should not miss out on potentially life-saving technology such as e-cigarettes due to e-liquids’ taste.
The proposed flavor ban to address concerns about increased vaping among teenagers will penalize millions of adults who choose to use flavored e-liquids. While millions of teenagers have picked up vaping and they overwhelmingly prefer flavored e-liquids, banning flavors is pointless. There is some inappropriate marketing within the vaping industry, which is disappointing to see. But,I believe strict regulation on branding is key to solving this problem since most adults also prefer flavors in their e-liquids. Regulation can control flavor names and packaging.
Important to note, cigarette smoking rates among teenagers have continued to drop steadily while vaping has gained in popularity. Regulation should be tailored to preserving and enhancing these gains and keeping vaping products out of the hands of minors — especially those who would not otherwise use nicotine-containing products. Prohibition will only lead ecig users to the black market . Regulation on the other hand always works. Regulating nicotine formulations and the level allowable in e-liquids is the single most effective step you can take to help reverse the youth e-cigarette epidemic.
