Here you go:
In light of everything that's been going on with Vaping lately, I want to take some time to vent. This is going to be a rant; a well-written rant, but a rant nonetheless. If rants aren't your thing, please just move along rather than leave some snarky comment about how much you hate rants.
The first thing I want to talk about is how people can say that there's no evidence that vapor isn't harmful to you.
What about all of the research that's been done that points to the contrary? Studies have been done that have analyzed the quality of the smoke from a cigarette and the vapor from an e-cigarette, and found that the vapor was pretty much a billion and a half times cleaner! There was also a study done that compared the quality of e-cigarette vapor to that of the air we breathe everyday, and found that there wasn't much of a difference! Isn't that evidence?
Next let's tackle the notion that e-cigarettes are being marketed to children because of the flavor profiles available.
When did a law pass that states adults aren't allowed to enjoy candy, desserts or fruits? There isn't a single adult I personally know that doesn't enjoy all of the above on a weekly, if not daily basis! You don't have to be a kid to enjoy things that taste good! The reason these flavors exist in e-liquids is because they taste good, and we, as adults enjoy them much more than we enjoy the taste of smoke. If you can find me a smoker who can pass a lie detector test when I ask them if they enjoy the taste of their cigarette smoke, I'll pay you! That's why these flavors exist; they're more enjoyable than the taste of smoke is!
Furthermore, what about the fact that the devices, accessories and e-liquids we use to vape are labeled as products meant for adults over the age of 18? How exactly is an e-cigarette being marketed to children if it's labeled as a product meant for people age 18 and over? Vape Shops display signs in their windows that state you must be over the age of 18 to enter, and will (and definitely should) ask you for your ID before selling to you if they can't tell that you're obviously over the age of 18. So, how are they being marketed to kids again?
Now let's talk about the rumors of formaldehyde and anti-freeze being in e-liquid / vapor.
One, do your damn homework! Propylene Glycol, one of the main ingredients in e-liquid is found in anti-freeze since it won't freeze like water does! That's why it's in there! That doesn't mean that it's toxic like anti-freeze actually is; all the other chemicals are what make it toxic. Two, there are countless studies out that prove the only time formaldehyde can be found in e-cigarette vapor is if the user burns the cotton wick inside the coil. This is referred to as a "Dry Hit," which produces a taste and smell so disgusting, it makes the user cough and choke like no tomorrow, so they know something's up. Under normal use, formaldehyde won't be present in the vapor.
What about the nicotine debate? Let's talk about that now.
If you want to classify e-cigarettes as tobacco products simply because of the nicotine found in certain e-liquids (I say certain because 0mg liquid is available), then shouldn't nicotine patches and gums be tobacco products too? They should be placed behind the register like cigarettes are, instead of in an aisle where anyone can access them. Also, eggplant, potatoes and other foods become tobacco products too, since they have nicotine in them too! That logic is just absolutely absurd. It's just a way to scare people.
Then people say that nicotine is a highly addictive substance, which isn't true. Nicotine by itself is no more addictive than caffeine is. What really gets people addicted to cigarettes are the other chemicals found in them, such as MAOI's, which are chemicals found in anti-depressants. They help to create a sense of calm and happiness, which your brain becomes highly addicted to. THIS is what causes the addiction. Nicotine contributes, but only ever so slightly in comparison to the MAOI's. There are actually medical advances being made that suggest nicotine can help with Parkinson's Disease! I don't think this would be possible if nicotine was really as bad as these guys say it is.
This is a new one; The Tobacco Industry is producing e-cigarettes...
While I'm sure there are a few tobacco companies producing e-cigarettes, the majority of them are companies that want to rid the world of tobacco cigarettes... They kill people on a daily basis, and vapor products don't. These manufacturers are trying to save lives; not take them. This is why so many states that are enrolled in the Master Settlement Agreement want vapor products classified as tobacco products; so they can be taxed like them, and they can keep making money through the Master Settlement Agreement!
Speaking of which; what is the Master Settlement Agreement?
The Master Settlement Agreement, or MSA, is an agreement between The Tobacco Industry and 46 states. In return for large sums of money from The Tobacco Industry, these states will settle lawsuits against The Tobacco Industry for tobacco-related healthcare costs, and also exempt the companies from liability for healthcare costs stemming from harm caused by tobacco use. In summary, these states make money in return for kicking lawsuits filed by those whose family members died from smoking to the curb... Oh, and selling cigarettes.
Do I need to go on? Vaping isn't the enemy here... It really isn't. Vapor products can save millions of lives if given the chance, and so many politicians and civilians want to see them taxed, regulated or outright banned, and for what? For who; the children? Think of how many kids would still have their parents or grandparents in their lives if these products were available 20 years ago? This crusade against vapor products needs to end.
Thanks to Patrick Williams
