Nov 2, 2018
By Nicolle Tyszka
Staff Writer
There is a detrimental trend sweeping the younger generation. No longer than 3.5 inches, the portable and well-known electronic cigarette Juul has wreaked havoc on teen smoking rates.
The Food and Drug Administration plans to take action against the increasing problem of youth smoking by threatening five large e-cigarette companies to address the issue of underage consumers using their merchandise. One of these companies is Juul. The FDA will ban the distribution of flavored nicotine vape juice if the companies are unable to prove by mid-November that they can keep their devices away from minors.
Five percent of every Juul pod consists of nicotine, which means users are inhaling the same amount of the toxic chemical as they would from smoking a pack of cigarettes.
Offering appealing flavors such as fruit, mint, mango and creme, Juul is meant to help adult cigarette addicts find a healthier alternative, but their colorful marketing and creative flavors have prompted a new generation to get hooked.
“I do believe it’s aimed toward teenagers, and to add those different flavors are basically just to kill the fools who’d smoke it,” freshman Emmanuel Sarmiento said. He said the FDA is correct in cracking down on Juul.
“Peer pressure plays a role in the widespread youth nicotine addiction,” Sarmiento said. “Everyone wants one so they can fit in and be cool.”
Junior Christian Kasper said there are multiple explanations as to why teens have become interested in Juuls.
“First, it was about trying out new things. Then you get addicted,” Kasper said. Junior Jose Sac said he also supports the FDA’s actions because Juuls are directed towards teens and can be a gateway to other drugs.
“I think Juul has to be banned because not just adults consume Juuls. Kids smoke it too,” Sac said. “It’s unhealthy to your lungs, and it’s still smoking. You can get cancer from that thing.”
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