Globe Readers,
Within the last month, a surge of vaping-related illnesses and deaths have made headlines across the nation. Despite vaping’s commercial establishment as a means of smoking cessation, the narrative surrounding e-cigarettes has made consumers, parents and medical professionals alike wary of vaping’s supposed dangers.
Amidst the media frenzy, at least four states are moving to ban nicotine and THC based e-liquids, while imposing further regulations on e-sales of flavored nicotine products. While the intention of these regulatory measures is benevolent, in practice, they could leave many adult consumers with unsafe alternatives.
The ban of vaping products could open some consumers up to the use of homemade vape juices, the initial cause for the first few publicized vape-related deaths.
The media at-large has also focused on the dangers of nicotine products when “counterfeit” or street-sold THC vaping products have overwhelmingly contributed to the number of vaping deaths reported. That said, nicotine vape juices formulated at home in particular, have caused a number of lung related illnesses.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has quietly mobilized to establish further federal regulations on vaping, effectively virtue signaling their support for further oversight on these products. The current administration has financial ties to corporate vaping and tobacco behemoth, Juul and Philip Morris, now Altria Group.
In the coming weeks, The Globe intends to discuss these issues with a panel of Salt Lake Community College students and staff. The Globe will also address panel members’ personal experience with vaping, health effects, opinions on state regulation and more. To have your voice heard in this community dialogue, e-mail us at globe@slcc.edu.
