To the Editor,
As a doctor, I feel compelled to address a pressing issue that threatens the health of our youth: the epidemic of illegal, flavored disposable vapes. These products are specifically designed to hook kids on nicotine. They come in candy and fruity flavors, are designed to look like school supplies and some even have built in video games.
It is no wonder why we’ve seen a surge in e-cigarette use among middle and high school students. Unlike traditional cigarettes, vaping is wrongly perceived as safe and cool. This misconception has dire consequences. The CDC reports that in 2022, over 2.5 million kids used e-cigarettes, with usage rates alarmingly high among high school and even middle school students. These products, overwhelmingly manufactured in China, are laced with harmful chemicals like nicotine and formaldehyde, endangering the development of their hearts, lungs, and brains.
The FDA’s 2020 ban on pod-based e-cigarettes was a step in the right direction, but it left a dangerous loophole for disposable vapes that China continues to flood. Walk into any convenience store and you will see shelves of these illegal products in their flashy packaging ready for purchase. It’s time for Congress to push the FDA to enforce existing laws and remove these dangerous products from store shelves.
I urge JD Vance and other leaders to prioritize this issue on the campaign trail and in the next administration. Protecting our children from these dangerous products is not just a policy decision—it’s a moral imperative.
Dr. Chris Rosile
Hilliard, OH
