Generating a buzz between young adults and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Juul, the latest phenomenon disguised in the form of an e-cigarette, is causing more than a temporary high: a lasting addiction.
While cigarette usage among young adults has declined over the past decade, “Juuling” has emerged and it has truly passed its peak.
In comparison to vaping, this sleek, portable USB-like device is amongst other popular substitutes that happen to sit in the category of vaporizers. Despite the discreteness of the product, it is surprisingly packed with flavor infused nicotine and salt. Yet, contrary to a USB, in this case no information is being transported, instead tobacco is being transmitted.
With the ability to be disposed and even recharged via laptop while consisting of various flavored pods from cool mint, crème brulee and fruit medley to name a few, Juul, has managed to gain a mass appeal from a certain audience—perhaps the wrong audience.
While, the minimum age to purchase Juul products is 21 years old, that is clearly not preventing people under the age of 21 to indulge in the tobacco filled product.
"Our mission is to get adult smokers to switch away from cigarettes, the designers wanted to make a product that wouldn't visually remind people of cigarettes since they are trying to quit, but still provide the same nicotine delivery and sensory aspects of a cigarette." Ashley Gould, JUUL's Chief Administrative Officer said in a recent BuzzFeed interview.
However, the enticing appearance, various flavors and convenient design, evidently makes it appealing to young adults, not just adults.
Avid user and freshman Claire Baugh said, “I don’t think they’re as bad as cigarettes, but there is nicotine in Juul pods and you can adjust the nicotine level with vapes, so addiction is definitely possible.”
However, does this type of approach justify its presence in society as it may lessen the use of smoking for some, yet heighten the use for others?
As the intended audience was not the products’ initial following, non-smokers may be under the assumption that Juul’s is harmless. Yet, that notion is invalid.
Juul Lab Inc. attests that the liquid within the device, contains 5% nicotine, in which corresponds to one pack of cigarettes or 200 puffs. Now considering that young adults who remained non-smokers are becoming the main consumers of the product, is disturbing. In essence, this means individuals who’ve never picked up a cigarette, instead using an e-cigarette, are prone to become regular smokers of cigarettes, due to their familiarity with nicotine.
Last year the FDA announced a plan that would place nicotine, and the issue of addiction, at the forefront of their tobacco regulation efforts. According to the FDA, “This plan will serve as a multi-year roadmap to better protect kids and significantly reduce tobacco-related disease and death in the U.S.”
In addition, as of March 20 the FDA issued an advance notice to rulemakers to fasten the process of regulating flavors in tobacco products.
Overall, although Juul and other alternative e-cigarette products provide a temporary high, is it worth another inhale?
Courtesy of Wired.com
