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Multiple reports indicate that FDA is about to prohibit Juul vaping products from being sold across the country. It will likely cause more harm than good long term, according to many sources.
Vaping products also called e-cigarettes were introduced to the U.S. in 2007. Millions of Americans, including this author, have been using them since 2007 as an alternative to smoking (95 percent safer) and to reduce their health risks.
The vaping device is not a combustible like tobacco cigarettes. It does not contain any chemicals known to cause cancer. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “These products use an ‘e-liquid’ that may contain nicotine, as well as varying compositions of flavorings, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and other ingredients. The liquid is heated to create an aerosol that the user inhales.”
The FDA would ban Juul, which is considerably safer than cigarettes that are still on the market, so why? According to the FDA, Juul is a dangerous product that poses a threat to American teens.
Let’s go back to 2019. The so-called “teen vaping crisis”? The mainstream media covered a rash of teenagers dying from vaping devices like Juul in the summer 2019. But this was just media fearmongering at the worst.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eventually admitted, “We do not yet know the specific cause of these lung injuries. The investigation has not identified any specific e-cigarette or vaping product (devices, liquids, refill pods, and/or cartridges) or substance that is linked to all cases.”
Then the CDC dropped this bombshell, “Based on initial data … we know: Most patients have reported a history of using e-cigarette products containing THC.”
The legal use of vaping and related products did not contribute to the epidemic of lung problems among teenaged people in summer 2019. These health issues were caused by illegal THC cartridges that were inserted in legal vaping devices.
However, there was a strong backlash against Juul and other vaping businesses in the summer 2019. Flavored pods were quickly banned as they were allegedly appealing to teens. Some states raised the minimum age to purchase vaping equipment to 21.
These flavor restrictions were only applicable to Juul’s closed-pod system devices. You can still buy almost every flavor in open pod systems.
Closed pod systems are preferred by many vapers who prefer to use them. Although they are less expensive, open pod systems can leak easily and need more care than the easy-to-use closed pod system that Juul pioneered.
The FDA may be dropping its hammer against Juul. Juul is in many ways the most prominent vaping company since its highly-respected closed pod system was introduced to the marketplace around 2010.
Just as the FDA shouldn’t ban Juul, it also should not ban sugary cereals and fat-filled muffins. What point does the American public say enough is enough?
Chris Talgo ([email protected]) Senior editor, The Heartland Institute
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