Vaping Community: A Subculture Analysis

334-337. The authors provide statistical research considering th e benefits of using electronic cigarettes over traditional cigarettes from multiple vi ewpoints. The article addresses both arguments in favor of and against the use of alternative nicotine dispensing devices. The article's use of tables aids in creating a visual represe ntation allowing the reader to assess both viewpoints, not just to read one opinion.

The e-cigarette format, however, does not eliminate concerns regarding public and individual health risks. The World Health Organization has called for e-cigarette usage to be monitored in the same way as more conventional tobacco products,(23) the US FDA is advocating for more research,(24) and there has been a dramatic increase in analyses of the chemical, physiological, psychological and socio-cultural aspects of e-cigarettes.(2-7,9-12,14-21,24-52)

The popularity of e-cigarettes and vapes has grown exponentially within the last couple of years. These two alternatives offer a “safe” way to consume nicotine or just a substitute to regular cigarette smoking. These products omit water vapor instead of tobacco smoke, constructing it as less of a health risk. Nicotine can be added to the mixture to help quit smoking or offer a healthier option to those with nicotine dependence. There has not been widespread research on conventional e-cigarettes, in addition to data on vapes been relatively premature. These smoking devices have not be regulated by the FDA yet, but the FDA has looked into e-cigarettes and its contents (FDA, 2015). Many e-cigarettes that are thought to be free of nicotine, have

John Doe is an 18-year-old resident, Colorado. He’s active in his community and volunteers through the local public library, he’s a genuinely nice guy, and he’s a smoker. A few months ago, John Doe decided that he wanted to minimize his health risks from smoking cigarettes, so he switched to a new alternative: an e-cigarette. Electronic cigarettes contain no tobacco, and vaporize a vegetable glycerol fluid that contains nicotine, mimicking the feeling of smoking a burn cigarette without the tar, dangerous gases, and unpleasant smell (Block). In most states, smokers can “vape” in public places with their e-cigarettes, receiving the nicotine of a burn cigarette without complaint from others. Heavy smokers find that they can use e-cigarettes to gradually decrease nicotine and many use it as a gateway to quit smoking. Yet in the absence of regulation, sale of e-cigarettes to minors is only prohibited in twelve states (Lopes), and this is a definite problem. Adolescents may see vaping as a cool new thing to do and become addicted to nicotine. The lack of regulation in the e-cigarette industry especially contributes to this, as companies create appealing advertisements displaying a variety of new flavors. Furthermore, without Food and Drug Administration (FDA) screening, e-cigarette ingredients are unregulated and this could lead to unsafe or downright harmful products.

“ The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror – not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray ”. – David Byrne. Smoking has been an habit in teenagers and adults for a very long time and it is well known that it is harmful for them as well for the environment. Technology has advanced, and now there are electronic cigarettes, called E-cigarette, which are devices with battery that carry nicotine heated aersosol in a fashion that imitates common cigarettes, while carrying lower levels of toxins than a conventional lit cigarette. They can be used indoors, which allows smokers to get their fix wherever and whenever they want. A study from NBC News (Leshae) shows that electronic cigarettes are a technique for smokers to try quitting their addictions. Manufacturers consider that e-cigarattes are healthier than normal tobacco cigarattes, since smokers are inhaling vaporized nicotine rather of carcinogen-filled smoke. However, according to a Thomas Jefferson University Alumni article, some reseachers have found harmful ingredients in certain e-cigarettes, such as ethylene glycol poisoning, a primary ingredient in brake fluid and antifreeze. E-cigarettes mey seem like a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, nevertheless there is some research that proves the contrary and we still don’t know its long term effect.

Vaping is rapidly growing in popularity. Trends are always changing in the e-cigarette community. Recently, trends are shifting towards the way people smoke. The type of device used for vaping and available flavors are trending among vapors. Just a few years ago, vaping was only popular among a small group of people. Now, some vapers are starting organizations that send vapor devices to military service to help them kick the tobacco habit. Here are four trends in the vaping community.

David Byrne, a Scottish musician and songwriter, once said “The true face of smoking is disease, death and horror- not the glamour and sophistication the pushers in the tobacco industry try to portray.” Before 1964 when it became public that smoking is harmful and unhealthy, everybody smoked; including children under the age of twelve. Cigarettes have gotten restrictions on their sales, but a certain cigarette has not. These “modified” cigarettes are called e-cigarettes. They are electronically powered and vaporize liquid nicotine. Many people think that e-cigarettes differentiate from original tobacco cigarettes in numerous ways which is why these electronic devices are sold to the public without any restrictions. According to my research

The Center of Disease Control’s (CDC) study found that 1.8 million middle and high school students admitted to using electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) in 2012. The article “Smoke Signals” by Alessandra Potenza from the Upfront Magazine states that e-cigs are becoming more popular, but also are becoming more controversial. Electronic cigarettes, known as e-cigs are becoming more popular among youth and because they are unregulated, U.S. officials are worried.

Ever since this new, exquisite device, called E-Cigarettes, made and was bought from stores, it has become really addicting around the United States, especially children and teens. Because of its new abilities, people, mostly teens, thinks that it’s a lot safer to use. But it’s not. Risk factors are still acquired from these cigarettes because they have nicotine gas and other chemicals that causes cancer. Due to legalized tobacco, you have still have to follow the age rule, +18 years old, but teens still buy these products because of their taste and its fastidious abilities.

Except for a couple patents back around the 1960s, Vapes or electronic cigarettes didn’t come out for sale until the past few years. They first appeared in China in 2004 and spread to other areas including Europe in 2006 and then the United States the following year. These electronic cigarettes have spread all over the United States in shops and stores. Many US teens, despite age, have been interested in the vaping trend because of their “so-called” safe nature and harmless effects.

The study written about in this article was from the University of Waterloo and Wake Forest School of Medicine in Canada. The data was collected from the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey. The students that took the survey were all from the 7th-12th grade. Almost 10 percent of those students admitted to using e-cigarettes at least once. It was found that the students that have tried an e-cigarette are 2.16 times more likely to start smoking tobacco.

tobacco users in the future. Education plays a critical role in early use of e -cigarettes

During a time of increasing awareness of smoking cigarettes in public, a Chinese pharmacist Hon Lik developed the first electronic cigarette in 2003.(Arnold,A247) Electronic cigarettes were introduced into the United States in 2007 and have become a popular alternative to smoking regular cigarettes.(McAuley,850) Though the market for E-cigarettes is small compared to traditional cigarettes, it has grown quickly over the past 3-5 years.(Lorrillard,9) E- cigarette use has gone up from barely 3% in 2010 to 11% in 2013(Silcox,19).

In the youth market, Yule and Tinson (2016) discriminate four types of vapers, virtuous, dynamic, vulnerable and invisible, apparently driven by different motives. Users that consume the product due to its functional characteristics as a healthier alternative to cigarettes are known as “virtuous”, whereas dynamics vapers are motivated by symbolic attributes of the product, like for instance its social benefits. Not only dynamic vapers seem to exhibit a playful, active behaviour by customising their own e-cigarettes (Sanford & Goebel, 2014), and offering an example of presumption, where customers start adapt and transform products on the base of their needs (Berthon et al., 2007), but they also are the most enthusiastic users of the product.

“E-cigarettes have become increasingly popular, particularly among young people” (“E-Cigarettes”). These people argue that the growing popularity of e-cigarettes among teens can increase misuse and accidents with e-cigarettes, putting more young people in danger. However, e-cigarettes are actually keeping young people away from much more dangerous alternatives. “Statistics suggest teens are now more likely to use e-cigarettes than tobacco cigarettes” (“E-Cigarettes”). Tobacco cigarettes are much more harmful to people then e-cigarettes are, and e-cigarettes are driving young people away from tobacco cigarettes. Furthermore, “It is unknown how harmful e-cigarettes are to your health” (“E-Cigarettes”). Although e-cigarettes health effects are unknown, it’s highly likely they are much better for people compared to tobacco cigarettes, especially because they don’t have the cancer causing smoke that tobacco cigarettes have. Without the cancer causing smoke, young people have no risk of getting cancer from using an e-cigarette. Additionally, smoking e-cigarettes costs a lot less than smoking tobacco cigarettes. “The cost of e-cigarettes a month is about half the cost of tobacco cigarettes a month” (“eversmoke”). Although this fact has already been addressed, it’s too important to young people. Young people don’t make a lot of money, so the reduced cost of using e-cigarettes compared to the raised cost of using