E-cigarettes and vaping have become a more common practice in society, but have also shown how dangerous these habits can be. One of the most affected groups have been teenagers, many of which use JUUL products. JUUL is a popular company in the vaping industry and had the greatest share of the e-cig market in the U.S. by 2017. Their products have high amounts of nicotine. Teens who vape have suffered from severe illnesses and have also lost their lives because of vaping chemicals. If you or a loved one has had health complications because of vaping, you may be eligible for compensation. Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco can assist you in your JUUL claim and help you get the justice you deserve.
Teenagers Don’t Have All the Facts About E-Cigarettes
While teenagers are more likely to use e-cigarettes than cigarettes, vaping is a gateway into the world of nicotine. E-cigarettes still contain the harmful, addictive substance that affects teenagers’ brains. During adolescence, the brain is still developing and growing. The development process doesn’t stop until age 25. Nicotine can inhibit this development, which can lead to issues with impulse control and mood.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says e-cigarette users are also 30.7% more likely to begin smoking cigarettes within 6 months than non-users, which have an 8.1% chance of starting to smoke. According to the CDC, cigarettes are responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the U.S. About 90% of all lung cancer deaths is caused by smoking.
In addition to addiction and possibly getting teenagers one step closer to smoking cigarettes, many teens don’t know what is in their e-cig. There have been many advertisements that market vaping as a safe alternative to smoking. Many ads that put vaping in a positive light have reached teens through social media. Posts on Twitter and Instagram showcase vaping as a social activity that all young people are doing. It’s portrayed as a part of a social and fun lifestyle. While vaping may be relatively safer when compared to smoking, it’s still extremely dangerous and involves putting dangerous substances into one’s body. However, many teenagers think vaping is completely safe and don’t realize the dangers.
When teens are asked what’s in their e-cig, the majority believe it’s just flavoring at 66%. About 13.2% say nicotine, 5.8% say marijuana, and 13.7% don’t know. A vape contains much more than flavoring and water vapor. The aerosol in an e-cigarette contains the following:
- Nicotine
- Ultrafine Particles
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Heavy Metals
The person vaping inhales these substances into the lungs, where they can possibly cause illnesses like lung disease.
What Can Teenagers Do?
The CDC recommends that people should not be using e-cigarettes or other products that contain THC or products that have been bought through unofficial channels. There are many unknowns when it comes to vaping, and while you can know about the dangerous substances in the products bought legally, there’s no telling about what additional harmful substances can be put in unregulated products.
The bottom line of nicotine products is there’s always a risk involved when using them. It’s also uncertain about the long-term effects of vaping because they’re so relatively new. There hasn’t been enough time to research how vaping for a long period of time affects health. Teenagers and adults alike who do not use these products are strongly recommended to not start.
For those that do use these products and will continue to do so, it’s important to monitor how you’re feeling. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may want to consider seeing a doctor as soon as possible:
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain
- Cough
Also, those who use these products can report the product if they cause health or safety hazards.
If you’ve suffered because of e-cigarette products, you can turn to trustworthy lawyers with experience in product liability claims from Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco.
Our Firm Can Help You
While large vaping companies are focused on selling as much of their products as possible, they may decide to cut corners in manufacturing or not disclose information about their products to the general public, which can result in serious injuries.
Our Philadelphia attorneys stand up for people who have suffered because of company negligence. We’ll do everything we can to get you full and fair compensation for your injuries. It’s important to act quickly in these cases, as most personal injury claims fall under a statute of limitations. Our lawyers will know which laws apply to your case and help you start the legal process. Call our firm today.
