Disclaimer: I would prefer that everyone did not smoke or vape. I have lung disease even though I have never smoked, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But my opinion on the U.S. hysteria over the current rash of vaping illnesses and deaths is that it is unfounded and misguided.
When vaping first came on the scene, I saw several instances of coworkers and neighbors who were able to quit smoking using vaping products and then tapering off. It seemed like an effective way to quit, and a much safer option than smoking. And I much preferred walking through vapor instead of smoke outside my office building.
It is alarming how many minors are now vaping, however. It should have been much better controlled and obviously marketed differently. However, the majority of smokers begin in their teenage years, so the market has historically done a poor job of keeping these products out of the hands of children.
And now there are a rash of illnesses and deaths from the use of illegal THC vaping products. So what is the reaction? Let's make all vaping illegal. Seriously? Let's compare the number of smoking deaths to vaping deaths. Shouldn't the outcry be for the ban on cigarettes? Oh yeah, the tobacco industry contributes much more politically than the vaping industry.
So what would be the result of making vaping illegal? Smoking rates would increase. Great, that's just what we want. Those who use illegal products will keep on using illegal products, and those who use legal products might start down the illegal path.
There is no upside to this lunacy, other than non-vapers feeling superior.
When vaping first came on the scene, I saw several instances of coworkers and neighbors who were able to quit smoking using vaping products and then tapering off. It seemed like an effective way to quit, and a much safer option than smoking. And I much preferred walking through vapor instead of smoke outside my office building.
It is alarming how many minors are now vaping, however. It should have been much better controlled and obviously marketed differently. However, the majority of smokers begin in their teenage years, so the market has historically done a poor job of keeping these products out of the hands of children.
And now there are a rash of illnesses and deaths from the use of illegal THC vaping products. So what is the reaction? Let's make all vaping illegal. Seriously? Let's compare the number of smoking deaths to vaping deaths. Shouldn't the outcry be for the ban on cigarettes? Oh yeah, the tobacco industry contributes much more politically than the vaping industry.
So what would be the result of making vaping illegal? Smoking rates would increase. Great, that's just what we want. Those who use illegal products will keep on using illegal products, and those who use legal products might start down the illegal path.
There is no upside to this lunacy, other than non-vapers feeling superior.
