Researchers say disposable vapes are the hot item on school campuses and have replaced Juuls. An NPR news report suggests that efforts to curb teen vaping are slightly behind schedule. By the time Juul pulled most of its flavored pods from the market in October 2019, many teens had moved on to an array of newer products known as Puff Bars.
These pods essentially mimic the wildly popular Juul and its many copycat e-cigarette devices. However, their design allows for single use. They come in many flavors that appeal to young people, such as O.M.G. (orange, mango, and guava), but are not subject to the new federal policy regarding flavored e-cigarettes. That’s because they are disposable, which is one of the many exemptions and loopholes in the new regulatory policy. The law only restricts flavors for closed-system e-liquid cartridges such as Juul and its pods, but does not apply to refillable cartridges or disposable products.
How Do Puff Bars Work?
Puff Bars are similar to Juuls but have a few important differences. Like Juul, a Puff Bar is small enough to fit into one’s pocket, looks like a USB flash drive, and heats up a cartridge containing e-liquid to create a vapor. Each of these pod devices is pre-charged and pre-filled. Once the vapor runs out, it cannot be recharged or refilled. Unlike Juul, it can only be used once.
Like Juul, Puff Bars attract young users with flavors like sour apples, menthol, mango, banana ice, cool mint, and lemonade. Like tobacco companies, which have long marketed flavored products to appeal to young people, Puff Bars emphasizes flavors with bright-colored packaging and uses descriptive names. Flavors tend to play a significant role in drawing youth and young adults into smoking. In fact, 97% of all youth who vape use flavored e-cigarettes.
What Can Parents Do?
Experts say that if your child uses these products, the best way to deal with them is to talk about vaping and why it worries you. It helps engage your teen in a conversation that shares information rather than lectures them. It’s also important to know what products are available, such as disposable vaporizer sticks, refillable cartridges, and flavored nicotine liquids. A lot of these products are available at convenience stores and gas stations. You could also find help online through “QUIT” programs that can help young people quit the habit.
If your child has been injured or has suffered health repercussions as a result of using e-cigarettes, contact an experienced product defect lawyer to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/02/17/805972087/teens-are-still-vaping-flavors-thanks-to-new-disposable-vape-pens
