Disposable vapes are the hot items on school campuses and have replaced Juuls, researchers say. According to an NPR news report, efforts to stem the tide of teen vaping seems to be lagging just a bit. By the time Juul pulled most of its flavored pods from the market in October 2019, many teens had moved on an array of newer products known as Puff Bars.
These pods essentially mimic the wildly popular Juul and its many copycat e-cigarette devices. But, they are designed for one-time use. They come in many flavors that appeal to young people such as O.M.G (Orange, Mango, 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 a lot like Juul, but they have a few important differences. Just like Juul, a Puff Bar is small enough to fit into one’s pocket, looks just 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. It can only be used one time, unlike Juul.
Like Juul, Puff Bars attracts young users with flavors such as Sour Apple, Menthol, Mango, Banana Ice, Cool Mint and Lemonade. Similar to the way in which tobacco companies have long marketed flavored products to appeal to young people, Puff Bars emphasize flavors with bright-colored packaging and use 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 if your child is using these products, the best way to deal with him or her is to not confront them but to start a conversation about vaping and why it concerns you. It helps to engage your teen in a conversation to share information instead of giving them a lecture. It’s also important to know what products are available such as disposable vape 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.
