As of Friday, more than 450 e-cigarette-related illnesses have been reported nationwide. 6 of these cases were fatal. These deaths were reported in California, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon, and, most recently, Kansas. This outbreak has proved to be so serious that Donald Trump, the man who thinks that the concept of global warming was created by China, has had the bright idea to promote a ban on flavored e-cigarettes. And yet, college students everywhere still hold on to their vapes like it was their first-born child. In fact, I don't even think that they would care for their child that closely. Frankly, though, I don't care anymore.
Parents, schools, and state administrations have promoted many campaigns to curb e-cigarette use. They believe that banning flavored products and spreading information about the dangers of e-cigarettes will curb vaping illnesses. While I do agree with the ban, it is clear that if this nationwide epidemic has not completely curbed e-cigarette use, then spreading more information will do nothing, but is it really anybody's responsibility to do anything?
Students who vape are not the stereotypical dumb delinquents that they are depicted to be. Parents and administrators view those who vape as unintelligent kids with no regard for their lives or future. That is not true. Those not using e-cigarettes are not necessarily any better morally or academically than those who do. Most people who vape are getting good grades, excelling in extracurriculars, and achieving their goals. It is clear that they have ambitions like everyone else and are educated enough to comprehend facts.
However, when it comes to e-cigarettes, they seem to believe that they are the exception to the science. It is not that they think they are invincible, or else they would have tried every drug in the world. But somehow, finishing three JUUL pods a day does not seem to bother them in the least bit. With all the anti-smoking ads and brochures, and deaths in the news there is no way that they are not aware of the dangers. Many crack jokes about how "nic addiction" will eventually kill them. They just don't care. It is not just that they cannot quit. It is more so that they don't want to quit. The pros somehow outweigh the cons.
Therefore, I am completely over the amount of effort that goes into convincing these people that nicotine is bad and they should not do it. Students have been learning this since they were in kindergarten. They know the danger and yet they explicitly ignore it. In fact, when JUUL stated that it would stop selling its fruity flavors in stores, college students simply sighed in disappointment that they'd have to "settle" for other products. It is clear that people who vape will not stop vaping unless they want to stop and the fact is, they don't.
Trump, for once, has made the right decision in banning flavored e-cigarettes, but it is time for America to accept the culture of this generation. Unless vapers have encountered the consequences of e-cigarette use on a personal level, they really just don't care and, honestly, why should we either?
