F E AT U R E
Sociological
Ref lections on FDA
Regulations:
Through the Eyes of a Colorado Sociologist
W o r d s & P h o t o s b y To n y O t t o m a n e l l i I I
A
s a Sociologist, when reflecting
on the FDA vaping regulations,
one word comes to mind; that
is, any word tantamount to
prohibition. Actually, I should not even
refer to this overreach of authority as
“vaping regulations” since they never
actually mention the word “vaping” and
only use the term “e-cigarette” - which
makes it even more obvious this is a
scheme to persuade others to believe
vaporizing to be more relatable to
actual cigarettes.
Taking this into consideration, there are a
series of other one word responses when
I reflect on how these regulations make
me feel NOT just as a Sociologist, but
as a Vaper, one being Oppression. More
accurately, however, would be the word:
Conspiracy. Therefore, the actions taken
by the FDA are merely an Oppressive
Conspiratorial Prohibition. The ability to
see this situation as a social scientist
is just the same as any ordinary citizen
utilizing a Sociological Imagination.
The Sociological Imagination is a
mindset that could be mastered by
many others, no matter if you’re a
Sociologist or not. Anyone who put forth
the appropriate effort could very easily
develop this mindset; seeing the world
in the same way as many of the greatest
intellectually disciplined sociological
minds ever studied.
Being a social scientist surely does
require a certain amount of natural
talent, mental capacity, acquired skills,
and a disciplined work ethic, and vast
knowledge base. However, if any citizen
opened their mind to accept new ideas,
they could drastically make a positive
difference among society by using their
minds as sociological tools.
62 ISSUE 06 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE
To reiterate from previous articles I’ve
written, the concept of the Sociological
Imagination was theorized by
C. Wright Mills, in which he defined this
particular mind-set as an awareness of
the relationship between an individual
and the wider society. It is based on
the ability to view our own society as
an outsider might, rather than from the
perspective of our limited experiences
and cultural biases (Sociology in
Modules by Richard T. Schaefer 9:2011).
A professor of sociology at my Alma
Mater of DePaul University (Chicago)
writes in his book, Sociology in Modules,
“The Sociological Imagination is an
empowering tool. It allows us to look
beyond a limited understanding of
human behavior to see the world and
its people in a new way and through a
broader lens than we might otherwise
use” (Schaefer 5:2011).
In retrospect, if someone has the ability
to utilize a Sociological Imagination,
then they can ignite societal change.
When we dissect the recently announced
FDA regulations, there is much
confusion, fear, disappointment, and I
can personally report, an observation
on a human behavior characteristic
I’ve noticed, which can be described
as fairly despondent. That is, since
the announcement, countless Vaping
business owners and Vapers are
speechless, numb, emotionless,
dumbfounded, angry and overall they
seem as if they’re feeling defeated.
Notably, all Vapers agree there needs to
be some form of Regulation within the
Vaping Industry, especially for