E-cigarettes have been gaining popularity over the fast few years as an advanced and less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. They are battery-powered devices that are used to vaporize nicotine and since they are smokeless they offer protection from harmful gasses and smoke that conventional smoking has been blamed for, especially for the harm that non-smokers suffer as a result of second hand smoke inhalation. Though they are known to contain chemicals that are less harmful than cigarettes, not enough research has been done into their long-term effects on the health of users. E-cigarettes have been sold since 2007 and they now generate more than $2 billion in annual sales. Now, the WHO has called for a ban on e-cigarettes for minors. Could this signal the return of big tobacco as the only player in the cigarettes smoker's market? Though originally they were marketed to those who were trying to quit smoking after the relative failure of other 'quit smoking' innovations such as nicotine gum and nicotine patches, e-cigarettes are marketed on their own as devices that appeal to first time smokers. The marketing has been slick and well-greased and is becoming increasingly targeted at younger members of society, in much the same way that conventional cigarettes were before the worldwide ant-smoking movement took hold and discouraged smoking in public places and especially targeted the dangers of second-hand smoke on the health and quality of life of those that were around smokers. However the e-cigarettes, rather than discouraging smoking or helping the user kick the habit, just replace a conventional cigarette with an electronic version since the active ingredient is still the very addictive nicotine. Over the past few years e-cigarettes have continued to be targeted at youth, especially as they come with a lot of varying flavors that are manufactured to specifically target youngsters. Surveys and studies have shown that a lot of teenagers in colleges and even high school are taking up e-cigarette smoking since it is marketed as being such a 'cool' habit. The teenagers also point out the advantages that e-cigarettes have: there is no smoke involved so they are easier to conceal and the fact they come in such a variety of flavors makes it more appealing as there will be a flavor to suit everyone. There is still no regulation on the sale of e-cigarettes and they can be sold to anyone, regardless of their age or school-going status. Critics say that all e-cigarettes are doing is replacing one addictive nicotine containing product with another - albeit one loaded with chemicals that are considered less harmful. However when it comes to marketing these products, nothing much has changed. The concept is still the same: getting users hooked on an addictive drug as early as possible in their life and creating a life-long dependency through portraying the smoking of these devices as being the 'cool' thing to do. The government and public health activists have not put up any resistance to this and until research proves that the long-term effects of nicotine in e-cigarettes are harmful, it appears that nothing will be done. Cigarettes seem to have just gone full circle and found a new cloak of invincibility and acceptability in e-cigarettes. The harm, the addiction, and the dependency remain.
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Posted by Unknown on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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