What are Juuls?

E-cigs have been taking over the vaping and tobacco industry. As of 2014, there were 500 e-cigarette brands and more than 7,000 flavors in the market. E-cigs deliver users with varying amounts of nicotine, toxins, chemicals, and carcinogens, they don’t possess the same negatives of cigarettes. Despite users essentially breathing in hot chemical solutions, Juuls, Junos, and Sourins have given people a seemingly healthier, more portable, and tastier alternative to get a “nic fix”.

2018 the year everyone’s smoking usb flash drives #JUUL

— Zush (@Zushinnn) February 25, 2018

These flash-drive looking devices were released in 2015 and come in flavors such as mango, crème brûlée, mint, and fruit; these flavored nicotine salts provide users with both a satisfying taste and 50 mg/ml of nicotine (at least twice as much as most other e-cigs). The Juul kits sell for $35.00 online and are for 18+ years old or older.

How do Juuls compare to Cigarettes?

It is not news that cigarettes are bad for humans; the tobacco and nicotine-packed cylinders of death consist of more than just dried tobacco leaves. Out of the 7,000 chemicals produced from cigarettes, 69 of the chemicals are known to cause cancer. Since cigarettes were in their prime 90 years ago, they have been going down in popularity due to people finding healthier alternatives. While going cold turkey is one method to hinder the harm of cigarettes on one’s body, companies have been producing products to feed nicotine addictions that are marketed as safer alternatives; in this case a Juul.

Are they harmful to young people?

Anti-cigarette campaigns have flooded the advertisement market. One of the said anti-cigarette campaigns is known as Truth which  focuses on diminishing big tobacco’s influence on people that use cigarettes in addition to providing general awareness to the public. According to Truth, the amount of teens smoking cigarettes has decreased by 17% from 2000 to 2018.

In essence, this indicates that more youth are using more of these e-cigarette devices over time. According to a study focusing on  e-cigarette and conventional cigarette utilization among youth, use was associated with future cigarette use across 3 years, yet cigarette use was not associated with future e-cigarette use. Despite the very harmful effects of cigarettes, the rising frequency of recent e-cigarette use among youth over time shows potential concern, especially in light of evidence that e-cigarette use is a significant risk factor for future conventional cigarette use.

As of right now, there are no immediate harmful side effects associated with e-cigarette usage because there hasn’t been enough time to thoroughly study them. However, researchers still think that “the most worrying aspect of e-cigarettes is that we do not know the long-term health consequences of daily use.” It poses questions concerning general health side effects such as the development of potential cancers, heart problems, lung problems, etc. 

What do Lambert students think about juuling?

Student #1: White, Female, 17 years old, Junior

Do you have an e-cig device? No, but I have tried a juul before.

There isn’t sufficient research to back the claim that juuling is harmless. Why are you willing to take the risk of juuling? I’m not willing to take the risk. I think it’s pointless, that’s why I don’t have one.

How popular do you think Juuls are at Lambert on a scale from 1-10? 9

Student #2: Indian, Male, 16 years old, junior

Do you have an e-cig device? Yes, I have a juno.

There isn’t sufficient research to back the claim that juuling is harmless. Why are you willing to take the risk of juuling? Because I love to get buzzed.

How popular do you think Juuls are at Lambert on a scale from 1-10? 7-ish

Student #3: White, Male, 18 years old, senior

Do you have an e-cig device? Yes, I have a Juno and a Juul.

There isn’t sufficient research to back the claim that juuling is harmless. Why are you willing to take the risk of juuling? I’m not really thinking about the consequences when I just want to get nic’d out. Plus its easy to hide if I need to use it in class.

How popular do you think Juuls are at Lambert on a scale from 1-10? 8/9