Prominence of teen vaping can topple a life

John Becker, Staff Writer|February 21, 2020

John Becker

When vaping tops all other choices, personal foundation crumbles.

In the past weeks and months within the political sphere, government officials in the American government have taken into account the growing health threats amongst e-cigarette usage in teenagers. Yet, through all government action, people around the world remain pondering the recent rush towards stricter regulations on vaping as more prominent issues within the U.S are at hand.

The appeal of e-cigarettes has overcome millions of teens in America as according to a recent estimate by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention around 5.4 million middle schoolers and teens had used an e-cig in 2019. This ultimately has prompted a large amount of concern within the U.S as according to a study taken on the 21st of January there have been around 2,711 reported cases of hospitalization due to vaping related illnesses. A larger number of these reports are teenagers. These illnesses can be credited towards the high levels of Vitamin E acetate found in vape products as it is used for dilution purposes. As it is a synthetic form of Vitamin E, the inhalation of this chemical is the source of harm in all cases as through these 2,711 hospitalization cases, 60 people had died due to the chemical ingredient. 

Like many other states and cities across the U.S, St. Paul, for example, has taken promising steps towards limiting e-cigarette in teens as they raised the smoking age to 21 this past month. For the city of St. Paul this is a great step as it should hopefully limit a threat in communities from which no one should permit as more cases revolving around lung-related illnesses persist.

As a society, it is important to stop e-cigarette related illnesses and deaths now. The number of teens being plagued by vaping is high, so, is the buzz from an e-cigarette really worth the contraction of lung-related illness that can even result in death?

No.

It is simple for the United States government to pass legislation and regulate vaping, instead of leaving it up to the states to decide. Still, states have raised the smoking age and have regulated the use of e-cigarettes by minors due to their acknowledgment of the consequences that can come with the usage of e-cigarettes containing Vitamin E acetate. 

Advocate for change now by contacting the FDA. Research your legislators’ stance on tobacco regulation.

Clear the air with action.