JUULS: The Full Picture
As each day passes by, more and more people are using JUULs and e-cigarettes to vape, whether it is in restaurants, the back of the schools, or the mall. Many are under the impression that using these e-cigarettes is the safer option, or the the worst thing to ever happen. Little understand both sides.
“I know some people who [vape] that do it for the fun of it and how it makes them feel. There are also people do it because they see others doing so,” said Faith Beckford, a sophomore at MLEC.
The popularity of the Juul e-cigarette has skyrocketed since it was first introduced in 2015. Sales for this company has gone over 800 percent. From college campuses to beaches, there is bound to be someone vaping, seemly having the time of their lives.
“I see people vape just about anywhere, like in malls or in supermarkets. A lot of people use JUULS, ” said Tracy Bojorge, a senior at MLEC.
Many teens continue to vape, not thinking about any adverse effects e-cigarettes may cause. In their heads, the act of vaping is usually seen as “fun” and “cool.”
However, a pod alone has as much nicotine as twenty cigarettes. The consumption of too much nicotine leads to cardiovascular, and respiratory problems. It has also been proven to debilitate a person’s control over their impulses.
“I think e-cigarettes cause just as much damage. It still has chemicals, and when people smoke the vape they think it’s harmless. They’re actually dangerously addictive,” said Zhyenda Bain, a Sophomore at MLEC.
With flavors ranging from mint to fruit, and its portable containers, its allure makes it very easy for teens to get addicted.
Although there has been a ban on some of the JUUL flavors recently, now that people are addicted, they may go to great lengths to retrieve a pod.
While the adolescents vaping think that the action has no effect on them, exposure to the glycerol in the vape can lead to excessive irritation-eyes, skin and throat, redness, itching, or burning.
When used properly, however, using a JUUL pod comes with its benefits. E-cigarettes are meant for people to reduce their use and addiction to tobacco ones, as long as there is a set goal in mind.
“When used as a complete replacement, rather than in addition to cigarettes, they are a preferable alternative for smokers who haven’t had success with medically proven approaches,” said Dr. Linda Richter on the debate of whether or not cigarettes can help quit smoking.
And while smoking tobacco cigarettes can make having an anxiety attack 5 times more likely, vaping is known to help ease anxiety.
“Tobacco can cause sleeping problems. The sleep deprivation coupled with shortness of breath may lead to stress, anxiety, and panic. Vaping doesn’t cause any of the above problems,” said the Depression Health Network.
With the adverse health effects and addictiveness of JUULs and vaping presents, it is best to be used by those quitting tobacco or with a doctor recommendation. Otherwise, like in the case of teens who think juuling is “cool,” JUULing will cause negative impacts on one’s health, physically or psychologically.
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