U.S.

Trump Administration Moves to Ban Flavored E-Cigarettes

By Reporter Caiden Stone

President Trump has proposed his plans to pull the plug on most of the flavored e-cigarettes that are on the market today, citing that there are growing concerns about the health hazards and rising use by teenagers of the trendy alternative to traditional cigarettes.

The Food and Drug Administration is currently pushing to vaporize the fruity flavored e-cigarette products from the markets, as well as the mint and menthol e-cigarettes.

Adult smokers have been encouraged to switch over to less risky options like e-cigarettes from the real tobacco cigarettes, but the sleek and colorful devices have gained popularity over teenagers nationwide. About eight million adults use e-cigarettes, and about five million children are also vaping including more than a quarter of high-school students according to the latest government estimates. More than 25% of high-school students were e-cigarette users in 2019, up from 21% a year earlier, and the overwhelming majority of youth vapers said they used fruit, menthol, or mint flavors.

Similar bans have already taken effect throughout the country, most notably this month in Michigan.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) banned e cigarettes and flavored vapes completely in Michigan on September 4th, 2019 to curb the use of the product among the state's youth's.

Gov. Whitmer said in an interview on Tuesday that she ordered the ban after the state health department found youth vaping constituted a public health emergency. “My number one priority is keeping our kids safe and protecting the health of the people of Michigan,” Whitmer said. Whitmer also complained that vape companies are using sweet and colorful flavors such as bubble gum and “froot loops” to hook young people on nicotine and other substances, which potentially has long-lasting health consequences.

The dangers of vaping from e-cigarettes has become a major concern this year. Six lives have been lost from vaping in the U.S. in 2019 alone. The first death from lung illness linked to vaping was reported in Illinois this August and it seems Michigan is the first to take this step against these damaging tragedies, chemicals, and permanent effects.

Today's youth is definitely under pressure with all of the attention on vaping, being in a highschool right now, it seems like smoking and vaping is a huge topic of discussion going around. E Cigarettes are immensely popular with students, and even adults in our area itself, just imagine how many more people are in the country inhaling chemicals that potentially could easily land you a bed in the hospital.