Do e-Cig Flavors Market Tobacco to Children?

Source from:  The Moderate Voice/Joe Gandelman  07/18/2014

In the past few years, electronic cigarettes have become one of the most popular methods for nicotine consumption. Touted by many as a safer and less bothersome option than traditional cigarettes, many nicotine addicts have switched over to e-cigs for their fix or are using them to help kick the habit, similar to a nicotine patch. In addiction to nicotine, after all, normal cigarettes contain a number of dangerous chemicals like jet fuel and formaldehyde. They also give off secondhand smoke, which some consider to be more dangerous than smoking itself. In contrast, e-cigs give off a relatively clean vapor one can barely notice when sitting across the room from an e-cig smoker.

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Despite the apparent benefits of e-cigs, though, many are concerned they make smoking a more attractive option to children and young adults. Some worry they could attract young people to nicotine because they're more socially acceptable, don't leave a strong scent and come in a variety of flavors. In fact, people against e-cigs often cite flavors as the number one reason they are worried about hooking kids on the products. Manufacturers of regular cigarettes are actually only allowed to sell regular and menthol flavors in an attempt to limit their appeal to children. However, e-cig manufacturers can sell vaping liquid in dozens of flavors, many of which are fruity or reminiscent of candy. Here are further details on e-cig offerings.

A Growing Industry in the Wake of Tobacco's Decline

With increased awareness tobacco's health risks, the industry as a whole has been on the decline. However, many people aren't willing to give up with nicotine fix altogether, which is where e- cigs come in. Since they don't give off secondhand smoke, e-cigs can be used in more places than traditional cigarettes. Some offices are even allowing employees to vape while working, which eliminates the need for a cigarette break. E-cigs are also supposedly healthier for you. As a result, electronic cigarettes are now multi-billion dollar industry.

Flavors Are Key

No matter what kind of business you're in it's essential to have a good marketing strategy for your products. For example, a company in Harrisburg, PA sells their JEMIC EMI products by emphasizing their shielding applications. For e-cigs, the variety of flavors has been essential for marketing. According to e-cig companies, the flavors of the nicotine liquid help up distinguish e-cigs from the harsh chemicals and smells in tobacco cigarettes. As a result, many e-cig companies offer a slew of flavors like blueberry, apple and banana split. One company, Viking Vapor, offers thirteen pages of flavor listings, and other companies are hoping to have similar offerings in the future. They're hoping that adding new flavors will help increase the market share.

Do Flavors Make E-Cigs Dangerous?

E-cig flavors make vaping fun, and some critics worry this could make them more dangerous. Some are concerned that e-cigs will make smoking more mainstream again and could attract users who may never have considered tobacco. Furthermore, the fruity, sometime candy-like flavors could appeal to children. Some even go so far as to say offering flavors is pretty much marketing to young adults and children.

More Research is Needed

E-cig companies say there is no evidence that e-cig flavors especially appeal to children. One study, conducted at the University of Pittsburgh, found that while e-cigs flavors did not make vaping more attractive to young people it did increase their appeal with adults. This study was funded by e-cig company NJOY, which casts a little doubt on the findings. However the NJOY study was the only one of its kind so far. More research about the appeal of flavors and health risks in general needs to be conducted before people can draw conclusions about e-cigs. Enditem