So I have hit my wits end – I work in the Vape industry and
am tired of all the headline reporting by so many outlets – my own favorite
local radio station WRNN Hot Talk 99.5 in Myrtle Beach included – reporting
that all vaping is the cause of the recent deaths and illnesses. These are fake news – the FDC has found that
Vitamin E acetate may be the cause of this epidemic. Vitamin E acetate is an chemical agent that
is used as a thickener to help dilute THC in some cartridges that have been
sold in the underground market. The
reason that I am so upset is that this morning (September 10, 2019) the morning
show on WRNN stated that “vaping was causing these illnesses” and that one
“boy’s lungs exploded”. Nowhere in my
searches today that I have been doing ever since I heard this, have I found
anything that even remotely resembles lungs “exploding.” I am not disputing that people have gotten
sick and unfortunately as of my writing this, 6 have died, but research must be
done before you report on any subject.
Even CNN reported on September 5 that the focus is now being turned
towards Vitamin E acetate ( https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/05/health/vaping-chemical-new-york-investigation-bn/index.html
) and I found that on my first search.
There are many more reports from fact-checked sites that report the
same.
By stating “Vaping is causing deaths” without research, causes
people to over-react. Michigan has
banned flavors for 6 months, New York’s Governor is trying to ban vaping entirely (https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-gov-cuomo-ecigarettes-terpenes-thickening-agents-honey-cut-juul-20190910-abru2hkxzbglzb6mdwfu2vhu2e-story.html
), an Alabama school has removed bathroom stall doors to easier catch kids
vaping ( https://www.wafb.com/2019/09/09/north-alabama-school-removes-bathroom-stall-doors-combat-vaping/
), and many municipalities are trying to ban flavored e-liquids because “only
kids like flavors” - which is so false I can’t even say it without laughing – 2
of my favorite flavors are Pimpin’ Pancakes & Cinnamon Sweet Sugar Cookie
and my kids aren’t even kids any more.
I’m sure the list is longer – but just researching it raises my blood
pressure.
I was a 35 year smoker until I walked into a vape store in
Myrtle Beach (that as of 4 months ago, I
now proudly work for) and talked with the employees about vaping and what the
dangers were. I totally understand the
age requirements on vaping, nicotine is addictive and can inhibit proper
learning and mental abilities in developing teenagers. But before you condemn an entire industry, do
your research about the developing problems and report them properly. There are many people who listen to what you
report – and believe it is fact. As Dave
Priest from WRNN has said many times about the national talk shows on after his
morning show – some people get their news and information from just them. Please – use Google, use Siri, use Cortana,
use Bing – use something – but make sure you are stating facts or at least what
is considered the facts at the time.
