
In part 1*, I talked about:
- How vaping is pervasive among teens and young adults
- How targeted marketing plays a role
- The associated health risks of teen vaping
- And I also provided some tips to parents
Today, I’ll be reflecting on a WSJ article** I read earlier this week to continue the conversation.
The Article
The first post focused primarily on the e-cigarette brand, JUUL. In the same token, the WSJ article from earlier this week discusses how Puff Bar has become a favorite among teen users.
But why?
- Puff Bar vaporizers are cheap ~$9
- They’re the size of a flash drive (discreet)
- They’re disposable
- Like JUUL, they come in “fun” flavors that attract young users such as “Lemon Ice” and Watermelon
What Parents Need to Know
While JUUL has come under regulation by the FDA for its products, Puff Bar has been able to fly under the FDA’s radar.
Again, why?
The 27-year-old founders of Puff Bar reformulated their products to use synthetic nicotine (not derived from tobacco,) which means that the FDA doesn’t have the same authority over their products or marketing.
Finding loopholes to avoid responsibility for providing highly addictive products to young consumers isn’t anything new… Big Tobacco has been doing it for decades.
What should be most concerning to parents is how the founders of Puff Bar are feigning both ignorance and concern for how their products are falling into the hands of young people; for example, the Puff Bar CEOs are blaming underage use on the lack of regulation at smoke shops. According to the article, they even claim that their company is doing everything they can to prevent teen consumption…
Really?
- Flavors such as “Blue Razz” aren’t made to appeal to young people, Puff Bar?
- When the FDA halted your sales in 2020 due to teen use, you relaunch a month later with synthetic nicotine and more fruity flavors, and you expect parents to believe that you’re not profiting off the consumption of underage users? Bullsh*t!
- Let’s also remember how social media and marketing efforts are touting these products as “safer than cigarettes” or claim that they “help users quit smoking.”
Conclusion
The bottom line is that survey research; according to the article, estimates that over 25% of teen vapers use Puff Bar. Other popular brands are Vuse, Smok, and JUUL.
As for what parents and caregivers can do about this problem, see part 1 for some suggestions.
I hope this provides you with more information to guide decisions and boundaries that you set to protect the health of the young people in your life.
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*For part 1, click here
That really sucks that companies are so willing to harm young people.
Agreed! Capitalism always wins over safety and human decency. Thanks for reading!