Flavor Bans Have Caused Various Disputes in the US

When the world finally woke up to the serious health risks involved with smoking tobacco, and it was banned in public places in many countries across the world as a result, smokers naturally began to look for alternatives. Vaping came out as the frontrunner, and remains so today. Essentially safe – we’ll talk more about this below – and without smoke or nicotine, vaping has become big business in a very short time and has been taken up by many smokers and ex-smokers.

However, controversy reigns in the USA with regards to vaping and its safety. There have been many cases of confirmed lung disease associated with vaping, and this has led to a sort of panic among officials that has gathered pace in certain quarters. The fact that the vast majority of these instances of serious illness were actually linked to unlicensed vaping products – those that contain nicotine and other products, and are not sold by licensed members of the American Vaping Association (AVA) – should be taken into account.

Another problem is that it has been shown that many younger people, those in their teens, are being drawn to vaping, and the reason being cited for this is that vape juices are available in a wide range of exciting and attractive flavors, which some in officialdom who are opposed to vaping suggest is deliberately designed to entice younger people to start vaping. There is, as a result, growing opposition to vaping in some political circles, with promises to investigate the industry coming from the very highest levels of US government.

What is the Truth?

The problem with statistical studies – especially those regarding personal habits such as smoking or vaping – is that you cannot involve everyone. Any survey will include only a cross-section, and from that, the figures are taken. There is no doubt that a number of people who were vapers have succumbed to serious lung diseases. In some of these cases – but not all – the disease was certainly linked to their vaping habits. As we have said, they were – almost to a man – using products that were nor regulated.

The bigger question is that about banning flavors. Flavored e-liquids make up a large part of the sales in all licensed vaping shops and online stores. The suggestion that it is this that is enticing youngsters – bear in mind that the overall law in the USA states you have to be 18 or older to buy vape products, and in some states it is as high as 21 – is one that needs to be taken with caution. There is, apart from a few statistical studies, no evidence that teenagers are choosing to vape because of the flavors.

Indeed, the marketing manager of the Vape4Ever said that to solve the vaping problem of teenagers, it is important to implement the regulatory mechanism, not the flavor ban. One of the most important reasons why most adults choose vaping is the rich taste choices. This is a view that should be listened to and taken onboard, as Vape4Ever are one of the leading, reputable online retailers of vaping products.

Conclusion

While it is very possible that many youngsters have been tempted to try vaping as the flavors are varied and attractive, it is believed by many in the industry that these are individuals who, by and large, previously smoked tobacco.

Vaping, as a relatively new experience, is naturally going to come under a great deal of scrutiny, yet there is no doubt whatsoever that the health risks involved are minimal, and certainly far less than smoking tobacco, so banning flavors is not the way forward for a growing industry.