Smart e-cigarettes with video games raise concerns
So-called "smart" vaping devices equipped with video games, speakers, fitness trackers, and even social media notifications are worrying experts and angering parents. Through models like the Posh Pro MAX, the Craftbox V-Touch, and the Halo SYNIX, available online for around $53, these devices combine connected technology and vaping.
Experts from the British Medical Journal, including Artur Galimov, Liam Obaid, and Jennifer B. Unger, have denounced this development, which could mislead adults by concealing the true purpose of these devices from younger users. The devices come in sweet, fruity flavors and promise up to 30 puffs, with rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity.
Last October, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had already taken action by issuing warnings to nine retailers and one manufacturer for marketing e-cigarettes reminiscent of smart technologies, stressing that these products aimed to attract young people with their fun and interactive features.
Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, called these products illegal and a clear effort to target minors. Despite this crackdown, they remain widely available online.
Professor Jennifer Unger of the University of Southern California has expressed concern about the potential impact of these smartphone vapes. She believes the combination of gambling, nicotine, and attractive flavors represents a dangerous cocktail for young people, especially those already vulnerable due to stress or trauma.
She warns of the risk of trivializing use, lowering the age of initiation, and the difficulty of detecting consumption when the devices resemble simple toys. The addition of interactive elements, such as retro games that reward each puff with points or rewards, transforms the device into a real behavioral trap.
These devices were first spotted on retail sites in 2023 and 2024 before spreading to social media. Marketing leveraging influencers and viral videos clearly targets a teenage audience, presenting these vapes as trendy gadgets rather than nicotine products.
In conclusion, the emergence of these "smart vapes" raises serious public health questions, calling for increased vigilance in the face of commercial strategies clearly designed to capture the attention of young people.
