We’ve posted before about how the difference between tobacco smoking and vaping is very different. Here in the UK and we’re sure other EU countries, the TPD regulations which “lumped” vaping and smoking together has caused numerous problems for retailers and manufacturers and pose a risk of making vaping look less attractive, therefore encouraging more individuals to continue to smoke. A grave mistake.
It looks like another classification mistake could be on its way in Arizona State as there is a vaping Bill on the table which, if passed, would allow e cigarettes, e liquids and vaping to be classified and treated exactly the same as tobacco products.
Why Has This Vaping Bill Been Proposed
This vaping bill, known as Bill SB 1009, is primarily the brainchild of Heather Carter who is the Senator-Elect of the Republican Party. Her feeling is that that the previous version of the bill, last updated in 2013, doesn’t reflect the current situation. Her take on that situation being that vaping products are now much more popular and available and as a nicotine containing product should be managed the same way that tobacco is. The “Gateway Effect” is also mentioned in her reasoning. This gives reference to the feeling that teenagers vaping will be more likely to smoke tobacco.
The Senator-Elect and her followers have every right to their opinions although many scientists, researchers, health professionals and more would, and do, disagree with the bringing forth of this bill. This is especially true given the differences between smoking and vaping and the information into the Gateway Effect which indicates that vaping really isn’t as likely to lead anyone to smoking, the unhealthier, most costly alternative to smoking.
The Risks of the Arizona Bill Being Passed
Here at 99p e liquids we are concerned about the ongoing myths around vaping and the way that it is still likened to smoking, Vaping and smoking are genuinely nothing alike. While we proactively support an under 18’s ban on e liquids, e cigarettes, and vaping as a whole, we share concerns about the two very different hobbies being lumped together under the same legislation.
Here is the UK, Public Health England released a review in Spring 2018 stating that vaping is at least 95% less harmful than smoking. PHE has been working hard to boost the accessibility of e cigarettes to those wanting to quit smoking, as have numerous cancer charities and more. By demonising vaping, for example with the proposed Arizona bill, there is a risk that smokers will lose sight of the differences between smoking and vaping and decide to stick with what they know.
Smokers continuing to smoke could be incredibly damaging as the cigarettes they are choosing to smoke contain numerous chemical which the World Health organisation have classified as being both toxic and as having the potential to cause smoking-related illnesses, cancer and even premature death.
A better use of resources would be to introduce a bill making the e cigarette a recognised cessation device, allowing it to be issued via prescription, and additional public health campaigns to educate people in Arizona about the difference between smoking and vaping, e liquids and so on, in order to encourage better health and reduce harm. Perhaps this is something that Senator-Elect Carter should consider, rather than arbitrary vaping bill /legislation which ultimately only serves to harm health, not protect it.