F E AT U R E
youth market – indeed, we hope that is the headline when these
regulations are announced. These are statements directly from
an Editorial article by Star-Ledger titled, FDA’s prime directive:
Keep e-cigarettes from kids. When asking the U.S. based
Company, World’s Finest Vapors, about this controversy they
said: “A good product will sell itself with no games or gimmicks.
If more money is spent on the packaging rather than the product
itself, a customer may simply be left disappointed.”
World’s Finest Vapors continues by stating, “As Wild as the
Old West things may seem, there are in fact rules that govern
product labeling. Every State mandates different requirements
and there is a tremendous amount of information available at the
FDA. Legal Entities have been in place to help prevent fraud,
deception and other unfair business practices, such as the
Federal Trade Commission (FTC).”
Considering this World’s Finest Vapors proceeds, saying
“The FTC can even fine violators heavily, however, it is currently
mostly an honor system. Due to manpower and other issues
that prevent them from seeking out violators, the best they can
really do is encourage manufacturers to do the right thing. It’s
our job as leaders to function in the capacity of Ambassadors
to this industry as a whole. Until consumers are fully educated
about the type of products on the market, and are able to make
accurate decisions regarding the choices available - honor,
integrity and most importantly consumer safety should be at the
forefront of our thoughts” (Worlds Finest Vapors, Est. 2009).
It is undeniable that Vaping advocates all agree that
responsibility and accountability are prerequisites when
developing, labeling that is consistent with a more professional
standard that does not appeal to children or teenagers.
Vape advocates preach that we must force companies who
attract children with their labeling and packaging to stop
what they’re doing immediately and rethink their approach to
marketing their products. Vaping Advocate in the VapersArmy
advocacy group, Dave Freeman, says,
“Cartoon marketing is a sad attempt at nostalgia, while it may
not be appealing to all kids even one is too many and as vapers
we need to speak with our money and not support companies
Unacceptable, Irresponsible Labeling
68 VAPOUROUND MAGAZINE USA
“Until consumers are fully educated
about the type of products on the
market, and are able to make accurate
decisions regarding the choices
available - honor, integrit y and most
importantly consumer safety should be
at the forefront of our thoughts”
who take part in this activity.”
Another issue with the irresponsible labeling of e-liquids is that
the flaws of the industry are often pounced upon by its critics.
For instance, in an article by the Star-Ledger Editorial Board,
Stop Corrupting Kids with Flavored Vapes claims “ The use of
e-cigarettes among middle and high school students tripled from
2013 to 2014 alone.” This article is obviously anti-anything
Vape-related.
Stop Corrupting Kids with Flavored Vapes says,
“How has it proliferated? Consider that advertising for
e-cigarettes reaches 70 percent of these students. That’s 18
million young people who see these ads - in stores, magazines,
online, on TV – and who believe that vaping is a healthy
alternative to tobacco.”
After they write that last snarky remark about believing that
Vaping is a healthier alternative to tobacco, what comes next is
one of the most oddly expressed, poorly thought-out, borderline
delusional, slightly offensive and completely illogical analogies
I’ve ever come across.
What becomes one of the most illogical analogies ever used is
states that people believing electronic-cigarettes are healthier
than traditional cigarettes “is like saying it’s safer to inhale the
exhaust fumes of a hybrid vehicle than that of a diesel truck.”
Well then, clearly this article has some rather strangely-worded
and extremely illegitimate analogies.
I guess I understand where they are coming from in regards to
technology and change, but seriously, is there a need for such
an exaggerated analogy?
It’s not exactly in the field of accuracy.
To heighten his dismissive depiction of the Vaping industry, the
writer states, “If that sounds cynical, consider that half the global
vaping market, a $7 billion industry, is owned by Big Tobacco.
Those guys aren’t known for transparency.”
About the Writer : Tony Ottomanelli graduated from DePaul
University in Chicago with a Master’s Degree in Sociology. He
also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wittenberg University
where he majored in Sociology and minored in Psychology.
Ottomanelli taught Sociology courses at Owens Community
College in Ohio while coaching Boy’s Basketball at the High
School level.
Tony Ottomanelli currently resides in Denver, Colorado where
he pursues opportunities in Sociology and Writing. Not to
mention, he is in the pre production stages of making a short
documentary about how much Vaping helps change lives for the
better, in which the Kilm will be titled “Who Are The Vapers?”
Tony is a member of CASAA & the advocacy group
VAPERSArmy. Email him Questions or Commnts:
[email protected]