Of course not, but that's not really relevant to the point I made, in response to the
first point you made...
Where taking out certain chemicals from a flavour results in replacements that are equally dubious, we really have to question the
need for that flavour. That holds true for both current and any future concerns.
How many custard vapers would go back to smoking if they couldn't get the same custard flavour? How many people wouldn't quit smoking if there were certain flavours they couldn't get in a vape? Overall, I think we're talking a small percentage here. So for something that could threaten vaping as a whole, or flavouring as a whole, is it worth saying "at your own risk, mate"?
Mainly I'm bothered by chemicals already identified as harmful and that have workplace inhalation limits set - because those are the ones that, when found in juice, make an easy target for politicians.
You're bothered by the chemicals that have been identified, but not those that have yet to be? The other chemicals used in the production of a flavor
could be just as dangerous short or long-term, so it would seem logical to worry about them all, not just a handful, even if you're not sure what all of them are. If that's the case, why take the risk at all? Vaping unflavored would seem to be the less risky option here, that way you're not running the risk of potentially being affected by the chemicals that make up any flavoring on the market.
I agree, the chemicals could be an easy target by anyone with an agenda, and the most simple form of regulation the FDA
could bring down is to simply ban the presence of Diacetyl, Acetyl Propionyl, Acetoin and Butyric Acid in all e-liquids, thus forcing e-liquid manufacturers to pull e-liquids from the market or reformulate them, but that's where it gets complicated. To reformulate, they would need flavors that are similar to the ones they're pulling from their products. They put a request in with their flavor manufacturer, and here we are again, back in the action of chemical substitution. So now the FDA goes after another chemical (as an example), so where do we go from here? A company is only going to repeat the process so many times before giving up and writing it off as an expense / failure (as any smart business would).
To go back to your question of "Is having a realistic custard/cake/danish flavour really that important, in the grand scheme?" - perhaps not, but let's keep in mind custards, cakes and danish flavors
are not the only flavors with those chemicals present. Many fruits contain them as well. As noted above, TFA's Strawberry Ripe contains Butyric Acid and Capella is heading in that direction too with their v2's since so many are asking for Acetyl Propionyl & Acetoin to be removed from their current line. FlavourArt is said to be using Butyric Acid in some as well (I've not confirmed this, but I plan on asking). As far as Hangsen & Inawera are concerned, they don't have to abide by our laws, so if regulations are imposed, vendors would be forced to test their flavors because they are not obligated to tell us anything.
So again, let's say the FDA takes over and regulates said chemicals and requires removal or confirmation of ND in terms of presence via a lab certified report. Where do we go from there? It's only logical to think that right around the corner will be yet another chemical, and another and then another. The FDA isn't exactly known for having our best interests in mind,
just take a look at what they allow through and what happens as a result. The prescription drug industry is a
prime example. Tobacco is an obvious example as well.
As noted above, we should be very careful of what we ask for. You may not agree with the presence of a certain chemical, but vaping isn't meant to be 100% safe, it's meant to be safer and even that is questionable - yes, we see studies being performed, results from the community showcasing lung functionality returning, but it'd be easy to say that the only reason for it is because you stopped smoking in general, which could apply to anyone who stops, not just those of us who made the switch. To label it safe means you're accepting liability in the event that something, somewhere along the lines, is deemed unsafe and a food flavor manufacturer isn't going to take that risk by labeling a food flavoring safe for inhalation as there are far too many variables in place and no true way to account for them all.
