There's only so far that I can read a thread like this before I'm compelled to chime in. (This time, I made it all the way to the end of p.4.)
The primary argument against such packaging that I think is actually warranted is that it could sway general non-vaping public opinion that the vaping industry (in part) is taking things too far in a direction that is hard to go along with (though perhaps better put as hard to relate to).
Now for the other side of the argument (which I favor):
- the general non-vaping public is not likely to care a lot about vaping (politics), nor likely to call for any harsher regulations than what has already been proposed
- ANTZ operatives and politicians that are (clearly) ANTZ leaning are likely to use this type of packaging as a call for harsher regulations
- But, and this is a very significant but, they will also use everything and anything. If you doubt this, then you are either not paying very close attention, are new to vaping politics, or are playing a game of denial that I'm eager to expose in a debate such as this.
- what does 'marketing to children' even mean? I ask that rhetorically because I'd like for some to spell that out, given that some (or a majority) on our side have already made the very huge concession of disallowing all forms of sales to minors. How can something that is illegal for minors to purchase also have the property of being marketed to children? Please explain that. If I were talking with a ANTZ leaning politician, I'd ask for that to be explained, either privately or publicly.
- Was anyone in this thread ever a child? Also asked rhetorically, as I'm 100% certain of the answer to that inquiry. But would also wonder for those of us who did engage in things that were legal for adults but not for us (then) minors, were you and your peers always choosing the products that had cartoon like, colorful, sweet, fun-filled aspects? Cause from what I distinctly recall it was far more likely that my peers chose stuff that was more adult like. The more adult like the cooler. The more kiddie like the (far) less cooler. I feel acknowledging this reality among all humans that were at one time kids is a rather significant point in this ongoing debate we wish to wage.
- My understanding of all such products is to capture youth of users. The perception can always be framed superficially as if that means only people who are by age factor alone identified as youth. I honestly do not see that as what the people who market in this way are going for. They are going for capturing the youth in all people who wish to purchase/obtain/consume such products. At this level of awareness, I see overwhelming majority of products that advertise in this way. I see lots and lots of messages we tell ourselves as a society that are about maintaining or recapturing our youthful nature. I don't think this will ever change. I very much hope it doesn't.
- After just coming from cloning thread, this whole topic strikes me in similar vein to that. You (as a concerned vaper who can't or perhaps don't wish to refute any of the other points I've raised) aren't going to change this aspect of the industry. Regulations will impact it, but won't stop it. And the fact that non-deceptive counterfeiting is alive and well in the industry ought to tell you we have bigger fish to fry than pretty pictures on the label (the label for God's sake) of our products.
- Finally, though not of least importance, I'm always up for hearing what the big deal is about kids vaping. Kids are going to vape regardless of the label types. Even ANTZ know this. Thus, they just become a pawn in the vaping war that is clearly being waged. It's not that kids are actually being targeted, nor that this is the actual intent of why market in this way. It's that it serves the anti agenda to use kids as pawns and act as if it is a really big deal if kids take up vaping. And yet, I still haven't heard that solid argument against why kids shouldn't be vaping. Maybe one day I will.