Why Europeans View Vaping Differently Than Americans?

Why Europeans View Vaping Differently Than Americans?

ALEX ZEIG14 comments

While many Americans have become aware of the recent reports claiming there’s a link between vaping and a new, not fully understood lung illness that some people have experienced. What may have gotten even more attention was President Trump proposing a ban that would halt all sales of flavored e-juices. But, as we see how all this potential regulation business plays out, it’s worth considering how comparable countries, such as those found in the United Kingdom where vaping is equally popular in the United States, view this purported crisis.

 

With all this attention coming to vaping and the potential health hazards of it, you wonder why there doesn’t seem to be such a dramatic reaction from UK politicians. Considering the fact that many of the pro-vaping studies have come out of the UK, let’s get into a few of the reasons why the UK population seems to view vaping differently than people in the US.

Smoking vs. Vaping

Although some Hollywood productions would have you thinking that every man, woman, and child in the UK is smoking a pack of Lucky Strikes, only about 15% of people older than 18 in the UK are smokers. While that smoking culture is well entrenched into many European countries, Britain has over 7% of its 18+ population vaping today, with a 12.5% increase from 2018 to today. That means that the vaping population is growing very, very quickly, to the point where it could catch up with cigarette smoking in the near future.

 

Since both smoking and vaping typically involve a nicotine product, it’s easy for people to make a link between smoking and vaping, but they may not be as similar as people assume. While, yes, the consumption of nicotine itself can have negative effects on one’s health, many of the additive compounds found in cigarettes that cause heart disease are absent in vape products. It being such a new trend, there is certainly more research to be done on the long-term effects of vaporizing to substitute cigarettes, but the early results are encouraging.

 

As to whether or not vaporizing is an effective way to quit smoking, the argument is over. Many studies coming out of the UK keep saying the same thing, vaporizing is one of the most effective ways to quit smoking. And while there is still plenty we need to learn about vaporizing, the fact that an independent review found vaping to be 95% less harmful than smoking cigarettes should tell you a lot about where this research is landing.

 

Less Teen Vaping

One small difference between the two perceptions of vaping between the US and the UK may be contributed to the fact that it’s not seen as something just for kids and younger people. According to a report from The Independent, the demographic that vapes least is ages 18-24, while the highest rate of vapers is the 35-44 demographic.

 

This might give vaping less of an “edgy” aesthetic to it in comparison to the way Americans typically perceive vaping. Much of the rhetoric put forth by the Trump administration has centered around an effort to protect children from something that could harm them. While that narrative persists among pro-ban individuals, we discussed this in a previous blog that this effort may sound noble, it’s terribly misguided in its attempt to actually protect kids from vaping at too young of an age.

UK VAPINGS

Sensationalist coverage

While it might take all day to cover the problems facing modern news coverage and how the need for ratings seem to change the way a story is covered, let’s try to focus on how the media has portrayed vaping and vapors in particular. It’s no surprise to see major media corporations in the US using hyperbole to drum up an over-the-top reaction from their massive audience. Some American media will attach the phrase “crisis” or “-gate” to anything they think will upset their viewers.

 

So while the BBC, considered by many to be a centrist, non-biased news network, informs more than 112 million people on a weekly basis, American media sources are ravenously looking for ways to out-do each other. When MSNBC or Fox News talks about a pending “crisis” it’s always a good idea to find a second and third source on just how serious the situation really is.

 

What can you do about it?

When it comes to the chaos this proposed ban has chaos, it can feel a little helpless when all you simply want to do is vape in peace. But, since your favorite hobby seems like it’s under attack by media and lawmakers alike, you may be asking yourself what you can do to stop all the nonsense.

 

Well, thanks to some of the ridiculous accusations sent toward the vape industry, some people have responded in ways to defend vaping. This October 7th, check your local vaping social media groups to see if there are any demonstrations or protests in your area, as this day has been declared National Save Vaping Day. This is an opportunity for vapers everywhere to let their voices be heard and show the public that vaping isn’t the boogeyman the media has made it out to be.

 

There is also a petition you can find here, that, with enough signatures, must be considered by the White House. This petition in particular is aimed at stopping the flavored e-juice ban.

Hopefully the more tempered reaction coming from UK decision-makers starts to have an effect on the more dramatic take that US politicians have expressed. With so many jobs at stake and a budding culture, this is not a time for drastic regulation, especially if that regulation comes from a place of emotion and political grandstanding rather than facts and genuine concern. As the chips start to fall in this situation, we hope that whatever changes we see are targeted toward a dangerous black market of unregulated products, rather than a group of pioneering small businesses that are just trying to make a living.

VaporDNA is supporting the vaping community with all the resources we have. Now shop at the vapordna.com during the #NationalSaveVapeDay sale event, 1% of the revenue will go to the American Vaping Association. 



 

By VAPORDNA

Comments (14)

Janet Pinette

I think it is foolish and hypocritical for the govt. to ban flavored ejuice. It is obvious to those who will open their eyes, that vaping helps people get off of and stay off of cigarettes, as others here have shared. If they ban ejuice flavors they say appeals to kids then maybe they should stop letting them make all of the new flavors of beer and liquor, doesn’t that appeal to kids? Isn’t alcohol addictive, doesn’t abuse of it cause family problems and drunk driving deaths daily throughout our nation, and the world? Yet I have never seen anywhere, that vaping done safely with juice from reputable sources has ever caused family problems or death from driving under the influence of vapor juice or second hand vape, or disease. Then of course there are cigarettes. Families with lost loved ones, because of lung cancer and other diseases, but the govt. would not dare ban cigarettes or alcohol, because they are making too much money from them. Why they even let them advertise on TV and in magazines, and Super Bowl ads, at least the alcohol gets to do that, and they make it look so cool, with all the young sexy popular people drinking it in, and they dare say it is wrong, and dangerous, to VAPE!!!! That it’s wrong to produce flavored ejuice because it might appeal to young people!!! Well if they vape instead of starting to smoke then that’s a good thing.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to start a war against alcohol, but I’m just calling this attack on vaping what it is, it is utter HYPOCRISY!!!!!! Vaping actually helps people, by helping them get off of cigarettes that could kill them and that are unhealthy to their family because of breathing their second hand smoke. Not to mention the fact that it keeps them from being so grumpy and ill while they are getting off the cigarettes. 😁 I think they should be grateful for vaping instead of trying to stop it. I mean really….. give me a break!

Daniel N

I quit in 3 days after picking up a vape from a 14 year cigarette two pack a day habit. I’m now at a 6mg and feel better than ever. I have fell deep into the hobby and love this culture.

Charlie Apperson

I haven’t seen anyone comment on the fact that propylene glycol is sometimes used in respiratory therapy. I read somewhere it is an anti-bacterial. I quit smoking three years ago by vaping and haven’t had so much as a common cold in that time. coincidence? I don’t think so. Banning vaping because a few people got sick from vaping illegal products bought on the street would be like banning food because someone got food poisoning from eating tainted food.

Ernesto Ramirez

I smoked FROM D AGE OF 12-38 CUIT FOR 5 YEARS MY FRIEND LEAVES A PACK BY MISTAKE I LOOK AT THE CLOCK 7PM- 5AM THEN I GRAB % INHALED AGAIN 2 YARS LATER I SEE D SAME IDIOT THAT GOT ME ADICTED 2 SMOKING IN D FIRST PLACE VAPING A CHEAP ECIG I TOLD HEY HEY DOME ASS LET ME TAKE A SMOKE TOACK HE SAYS ITS CALLED A VAPE WELL I SAYD THIS VAPEE FELLS AWESOME SO I PURCHASED 3 ONE 4 ME &D OTHER TWO 4 TWO FRIENDS WELL ALL 3 OF US WILL LIVE TO SE THE FLYING UBERS NOW THATS WHAT I CALLL FIGHTING TRUMPY POWER💪2DAY I OWN 167 MODS & I APROBE THIS MENSAGE IM U TRUE PROUD REPUBLICAN VAPER I THINK U ALL KNOW TUMP WWWWWWILL NEVER GET MY VOTE🖓

Dave R

Let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? The US will not ban vaping. This is just a ploy for them to regulate and tax!! If the Government truely cared, then they would be talking about banning vaping & cigarettes altogether. My wife and I quit cigarettes, just over 3 years ago when we went out and bought mods to vape on. We are better for the switch. We probably would be better off not vaping at all but it should not be illegal!! C’mon America. States are lining up to legalize marijuana because they know it will be a good revenue stream. This is just the next Government cash cow

Chris G

Why does the U.K. embrace vaping and the USA doesn’t? Simple answer. America is the only country in the world that promotes and endorses items that are designed to make Americans sick,addicted, or kill each other. Gun makers make millions of dollars off of gun sells. Big pharmaceutical companies makes billions off of people addicted to Rx drugs. Cigarette companies make billions off of people who are addicted to smoking. Fast food chains make billions keeping people unhealthy despite having healthy alternative menus. Alcohol companies make billions off of people who are alcoholics. Its that simple, unfortunately. Companies can’t make money off of healthy people.

James Henderson

If you believe that cigarette smoke is better than vaping you have serious issues I smoked 20 years I’ve been vaping about 6 years now no stinky sticks can even stand the smell of cigs get off the stinkies and Vape On!!

Beth Mcquillan

I have smoked cigs since 15yrs old. It will be 2 yrs in Jan. That my pulmonologist suggested I vape instead…my lung doctor approved, hello!! You also can step down the nicotine in e juice to zero. I wrote on trumps Twitter that all the kids will smoke cigs then. Maybe that’s what he wants actually. Big tobacco. All I know is vaping has helped me. I didnt like have major breathing problems but enough for him to suggest. Arggggg!!!

Eric Sievers

I quit my 30 year smoking habit instantly with my first ecig. I had several smoking illnesses that disappeared about a month because of ecigs. Almost 10 years later I never felt better. We need to stop calling them ecigs… I Vape and I am healthy because of Vaping!

TruthThough

Honestly I just think the UK has a different overall attitude. I’m sure teens vape at similar rates there they just don’t care.

Plus, a lot of money is tied into smoking in the US. State governments get billions in sin taxes and the tobacco and pharma industries get billions in profits (pharma for nicotine cessation products).

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