By Aldona Casey
From cigars to cigarettes to vaporizers, the world of smoking is always evolving. Making new products with different gimmicks is one way the nicotine and the tobacco industries have been able to make billions of dollars.
The latest products, vaporizers or electronic-cigarettes, are battery powered devices that have cartridges filled with a nicotine infused liquid. E-cigarettes try to create the sensation of smoking tobacco, with “smoke” (which is actually water vapor) and a design similar to that of an actual cigarette.
From cigars to cigarettes to vaporizers, the world of smoking is always evolving. Making new products with different gimmicks is one way the nicotine and the tobacco industries have been able to make billions of dollars.
The latest products, vaporizers or electronic-cigarettes, are battery powered devices that have cartridges filled with a nicotine infused liquid. E-cigarettes try to create the sensation of smoking tobacco, with “smoke” (which is actually water vapor) and a design similar to that of an actual cigarette.
One of the most recent e-cigarettes to be introduced to the market is the JUUL device. This is different from other e-cigarettes because of its new design and higher nicotine concentrations. It looks like a USB flash drive and can be plugged into a laptop to be charged. Not only is the look different, but Juul vaporizers use nicotine salts rather than free-base nicotine. Nicotine salts are unique because they have a higher nicotine concentration, without the harsh throat pain that's associated with it. They also come in a range of flavors like mango, fruit medley and virginia tobacco. They are relatively cheap and have become widely popular among the teenage demographic.
I talked to Mashpee's own Ms. Purdy to get her opinion on the subject. Ms. Purdy said that although Juuls may seem harmless, they are in fact the opposite, stating, “E-cigarettes contain aerosol which can be harmful because it contains nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain.” The nicotine in Juuls have also been linked to mood disorders and lower impulse control in teens, says Ms. Purdy. Juuls have been able to become so popular because of the media constantly advertising it, with 7 out of 10 teenagers saying they have seen some type of Juul or e-cigarette advertisement. The “low costs” and “appealing flavors” have also contributed to the Juuls popularity.
The JUUL device is the most recent e-cigarette to hit the market and has taken college and high school campuses by storm. It's easy to see why it's become so popular with teenagers, but it is in fact harmful and can have lasting side effects. The nicotine in it is damaging and addicting and teenagers should be more informed before they start puffing.
I talked to Mashpee's own Ms. Purdy to get her opinion on the subject. Ms. Purdy said that although Juuls may seem harmless, they are in fact the opposite, stating, “E-cigarettes contain aerosol which can be harmful because it contains nicotine. Nicotine exposure during adolescence can cause addiction and can harm the developing brain.” The nicotine in Juuls have also been linked to mood disorders and lower impulse control in teens, says Ms. Purdy. Juuls have been able to become so popular because of the media constantly advertising it, with 7 out of 10 teenagers saying they have seen some type of Juul or e-cigarette advertisement. The “low costs” and “appealing flavors” have also contributed to the Juuls popularity.
The JUUL device is the most recent e-cigarette to hit the market and has taken college and high school campuses by storm. It's easy to see why it's become so popular with teenagers, but it is in fact harmful and can have lasting side effects. The nicotine in it is damaging and addicting and teenagers should be more informed before they start puffing.