Are Electronic Cigarettes Going to Get Kids Addicted?
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There has been a lot of controversy around electronic cigarettes, or “e-cigs.” Some harsh critics argue that the cigarettes are being marketed towards children because you can buy cartridges for them which have flavors like bubblegum or cherry. Because the battle against teen (and preteen) smoking is so emotional, it is easy to understand why people are getting in a puff about electronic cigarettes. But, when you look at things logically, the argument that e-cigs are going to get kids addicted isn’t logical.
Critics say that electronic cigarettes are marketed towards kids in order to get them addicted to tobacco cigarettes. The theory is that kids will try e-cigs and then they will get addicted to nicotine. This will then lead them to become tobacco addicts.
Firstly, e-cigarettes have not been marketed to children at all. In fact, they have hardly been marketed at all because the federal governments of many countries banned advertising of e-cigs completely in public places. A few critics went as far as comparing e-cigarettes to candy cigarettes. It is hard to see the correlation. Candy cigarettes actually were candy and directly marketed to children with cartoons. By contrast, e-cigarettes only contain flavors; they are not food which a kid would eat! And almost all e-cigarette marketing has been targeted at people who already smoke. For most users, e-cigarettes are a way to kick a tobacco habit and quit smoking entirely.
Compared to tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes are much less accessible to children. Already, states have laws about selling electronic cigarettes to minors. Of course, we know that these sorts of laws don’t prevent children from smoking – just look at the amount of teens who manage to get their hands on tobacco. But e-cigarettes are not sold at every corner shop like tobacco cigarettes are. Further, electronic cigarettes are a pricey initial investment. Most kids feeling peer pressure to smoke are not going to save up their allowance money so they can see if they like an e-cig. Since most electronic cigarettes are sold online, it is even more difficult for children to get them. They will need to have a debit card or online banking account. Then, they will have to have the package sent to their home without their parents somehow finding it first.
It is true that some children are likely going to be drawn in by the thrill of “smoking” an electronic cigarette. But anyone trying to argue that e-cigarettes are marketed towards children are making an illogical point. It would be like trying to say that nicotine gum is marketed towards children because the manufacturers try to make it taste good. While some children may get nicotine addicted from e-cigarettes, the benefits that e-cigs offer existing smokers outweigh this risk. With the help of e-cigs, millions of smokers will have a better, safer alternative and may be able to kick their smoking habit completely.
