Are Middle Schoolers JUULing?
Post date: Feb 22, 2019 6:44:15 PM
Are Middle Schoolers JUULing?
By Ada Yu, Anuugin G
Some people in the world don’t know what JUULing is but, it’s basically a nicotine device that supposedly helps stop cigarettes smokers quit. Smoking has advanced from inhaling harmful chemicals like THC to drugs like nicotine. Even though its 21+ teens still manage to get ahold of one. Teens at the age of 13 will be influenced and start JUULing and quickly get addicted to the “buzz”.
Recently the FDA (food and drug administration) shut down all JUULs from online websites like Ebay, Amazon, and Wish mostly because those websites don’t require an ID or age verification. Yet, teens are still getting them from various sites and other people known as “plugs”. A Juul pod is proven to have as much nicotine as a pack of cigarettes. There are hundreds of different flavors which is one factor of young teens getting addicted. There are 0% nicotine pods but they are still as effective and harmful to the body.
As you can see the JUUL shown on the left, looks similar to a flash drive, its slick and slim which makes it easy to hide.
Moving on to the effects from JUULing and other vaping devices, it can be lethal. The addiction is equivalent to heroin and cocaine. When you first try a JUUL, it first affects the brain by sending signals of dopamine which is a natural hormone that's released by your own body that makes you happy. Gradually, the body loses its power to produce dopamine so you want to JUUL even more. A study from Stanford University states that e-cigarettes aren't necessarily safe as they are promoted, “Because e-cigarettes do not contain tar, some consider them safer than tobacco cigarettes. But e-cigarettes contain large quantities of nicotine, a highly addictive substance that is known to have an especially adverse impact upon developing brains of individuals under 25.” You can also get popcorn lung which was originally caught by construction workers who inhaled too much second hand smoke. Nowadays if you smoke often, and smoke the same flavor your chances are high to get Popcorn Lung. The symptoms can be, increased heartbeat and shortness of breath which lead to wheezing even if you stop vaping. Teens who start at an early age, become life long smokers.
“Its sad that they were originally made to help people quit smoking but the people who manufacture the JUUL are now targeting young kids with flavors that sound healthy like various fruits.” said, Mr. Papagni.
A student at Marina states, “I used to JUUL in 7th grade and I think it was one of the worst decisions I've made in my entire life. It affected who i am as a person today and it will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Before you try it, think about your future, your body, and your health. We make poor choices everyday but we can start by resisting manipulation.
