Crisis of Vaping and E-Cigarettes
The crisis of vaping and the use of e-cigarette products among the youth has become more rampant over the last two years, with a constant increase in the number of young smokers as well as injuries and complications related to the products. Consequently, a policy meeting was formed to discuss the crisis and find a way to control unhealthy behavior. Proper policies can be vital in reducing the number of young people being addicted to nicotine at a young age, hence reducing potential complications at later ages.
The Purpose of the Meeting, Key Participants, Key Agenda Items, and Meeting Logistics
The purpose of the “crisis of vaping and e-cigarettes” policy meeting was to discuss about public health concerns on vaping and use of e-cigarettes among young individuals. The meeting was attended by key participants, including the president for Tobacco-Free Kids Matthew Myers and several governors such as Kate Brown, Jared Polis, Mike Dewine, and Andrew Cuomo. Key agenda items included the ability for more states to implement the twenty-one-age rule for purchase of vaping products, the move to ban several vaping products from the market, and the branding techniques used by manufactures to lure more kids to use these products. The meeting involved a designated videographer, a central podium of speakers, and refreshments. The National Governors Association gave a permit for the meeting, and all participants understood their roles in the meeting.
Background Information and a description about the Committee
Benefits for the meeting include the ability to reduce the number of teenage individuals taking part in vaping hence reducing the number of teenage kids with respiratory complications. Reducing the number of manufacturers of the products can also be critical in reducing the total output of the products, thus resulting in reduced consumption of key products. The committee that took part in the meeting included the Governor Andrew Cuomo (Vice Chair National Governors Association), Governor Cate Brown (National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee Chair), and Governor Mike DeWine. The committee was created to lead discussions on the vaping crisis and provided suggestions to be implemented by other state and local governments.
Alarming number of Teenage addicts to Vaping and an explanation of the Committee process
The growing number of teenage children becoming more addicted to vaping products is alarming in the entire nation as almost one and a half million teenagers start using vapes and e-cigarettes each year. Matthew Myers expressed his concern on the issue by stating that he had never witnessed such a crisis in thirty-five years of his service in tobacco-related issues. The crisis of e-cigarettes has affected most schools in the country and every individual should strive to eradicate the practice in society due to increased lung diseases as well as intense addiction and withdrawal symptoms. The committee tabled several suggestions, including an increase in the number of legal age limit for teenagers to purchase vapes from 18 to 21 in more states and the need to reduce the level of nicotine in e-cigarette products.
Key Stakeholder Positions
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is one of the several key stakeholders that are needed to enable enact the required regulations to reduce the number of teenagers involved in vaping. The FDA is also responsible for seeking reliable information on recent lung injuries, product designs, and possible ways that can be used to prevent consumers from modifying the products and using them in ways that are not recommended. Federal, state, and local authorities are also called upon to act in unison as they make policies and legislations to reduce the number of youths using the products. Manufacturers of the vapes are also among the key stakeholders in the meeting as they are directly or indirectly affected by the policies and regulations suggested in the meeting. Lack of a suitable understanding could result in economic concerns that may hurt some states that depend on taxes from these manufacturers. The teenage population is also part of the key stakeholders for the meeting as they are directly affected by the policies and regulations that will be discussed and suggested in the meeting.
Key Interactions
The meeting was initiated by Gov. Cuomo who gave an introduction speech and ushered in Gov. Cate Brown (National Governors Association Health and Human Services Committee Chair) who led the discussions. The meeting was successful with several interactions from the participants, including Gov. Charlie Baker who showed his concern on the health impacts caused by the use of vapes and e-cigarettes. Gov. Ned Lamont (Connecticut) also raised concerns to the committee concerning how governors could unite in the fight against the crisis. Gov. Lamont also called for the need to elaborate the effects of the vapes on individuals since there was misinformation that it could help tobacco secession.
Outcomes
The governors called upon the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come up with proper regulations to curb the manufacture and use of harmful nicotine products to the youth. A suggestion was made to first test the products before putting them into the marketplace and allowing kids to try them. Governors also agreed to work together to reduce the rate of vaping among the young population. Several e-cigarettes were also showcased during the meeting, hence illustrating the techniques used by manufacturers to create products that teenagers can easily hide from parents or authorities.
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