In a series of recent events in the United States (end of February 2024, another study concludes that vaping is safer than smoking) defenders of vaping have mobilized to protest against legislation considered restrictive for the vaping industry. electronic cigarettes, particularly in the state of Utah. These laws, often seen as protective measures for large tobacco companies, threaten the existence of independent vape shops, jeopardizing hundreds of jobs and risking sending thousands of individuals back to smoking or delaying their attempts to stop.
The protests highlighted the complexity of the debate surrounding tobacco harm reduction, where vaping products play a controversial role. On the one hand, recent studies highlight the potential of vaping as a less harmful alternative to traditional smoking, citing reduced health risks compared to smoking combustible cigarettes. On the other hand, strict regulation of vaping products, notably through bills such as the PMTA (Premarket Tobacco Application), is defended as necessary to control access to nicotine products, particularly among young people.
This situation is exacerbated by reports and studies which, while highlighting the potential benefits of vaping for adult smokers seeking to reduce their risk, also warn of possible adverse effects from certain components of e-liquids, such as propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG) and certain flavors.
The protest actions in Utah and elsewhere in the United States reflect a broader struggle for the balance between protecting public health, particularly that of young people, and preserving access to harm-reducing alternatives for adult smokers. This dynamic is illustrated by calls for action in several states, aimed at thwarting what many see as laws favoring the interests of big tobacco companies over small merchants and consumers seeking to quit smoking.
Photo Credit: Alixel Cabrera / Utah news dispatch
