I know what you're saying, zoiDman, and I don't disagree with you. Do I think the ban will significantly reduce underage e-cig use? No. Here's why, to quote from a previous blog post we wrote on this topic:
"There’s another issue with the FDA’s stance toward retailers. A 2014 survey conducted by the FDA itself called the Population Assessment of tobacco and Health (PATH) survey found that out of 770,000 teen e-cigarette users, only 9.9% had bought their own devices. The rest obtained theirs from friends, family and, ahem, 'other means,' a category which we suspect could mean taking advantage of a five finger discount. As one professor pointed out, the fact that 'over 90% of teens obtained e-cigarettes from social sources, such as friends or family,'makes going after e-cigarette retailers pretty much illogical."
I also think it is important that, especially if vape shops gain business because of this regulation, they step up and support places like SFATA and other advocacy groups. We're long time supporters and SFATA's #1 complaint when we've asked them about the industry is that not enough small businesses and vape shops put their money where their mouths are and support their efforts to protect the vaping industry and vaping by extension.
So I don't disagree with your position, I'm just pointing out a possible silver lining and the fact, as I said, that it could have been worse.
"There’s another issue with the FDA’s stance toward retailers. A 2014 survey conducted by the FDA itself called the Population Assessment of tobacco and Health (PATH) survey found that out of 770,000 teen e-cigarette users, only 9.9% had bought their own devices. The rest obtained theirs from friends, family and, ahem, 'other means,' a category which we suspect could mean taking advantage of a five finger discount. As one professor pointed out, the fact that 'over 90% of teens obtained e-cigarettes from social sources, such as friends or family,'makes going after e-cigarette retailers pretty much illogical."
I also think it is important that, especially if vape shops gain business because of this regulation, they step up and support places like SFATA and other advocacy groups. We're long time supporters and SFATA's #1 complaint when we've asked them about the industry is that not enough small businesses and vape shops put their money where their mouths are and support their efforts to protect the vaping industry and vaping by extension.
So I don't disagree with your position, I'm just pointing out a possible silver lining and the fact, as I said, that it could have been worse.
