The next time you happen to speak to a "respiratory therapist", make sure you're informed on pulmonary diseases and conditions. Try speaking to them about those ailments. You will be shocked at how little almost all of them know about lung health. They know their jobs, providing respiratory therapy, nothing more. So, the "wild west" comment isn't only ludicrous, it's an unqualified opinion both on the vaping front (unaware of the tremendous amount of self-policing in the industry) and on the medical front (no diagnostic or prognostic training).
The industry has already self-regulated "no sales to minors" policies. It has also, in almost all cases, imposed labeling upon itself. "Aritifical flavor" is understood and exact ratios of PG/VG and nicotine are on almost every bottle of juice I've ever purchased, with the exception of pretentious boutique juices.
As far as commercial advertisements go, I have not seen a single one that advertises vaping as "healthy", nor as a "healthier alternative" to cigarettes. But they may be out there. I am not affected by the Madison Avenue Machine, so I can easily have no recollection of seeing one as they leave no impact. I agree somewhat with the banning of health claims until we know more. But, as a means of smoking cessation? We don't need studies, we have MILLIONS of people who have quit, either full or partially, through vaping. No other method, in fact I'd venture a guess that all methods combined, has/have led to as much success in such a short period of time.
The remainder of the article focuses on nicotine addiction without actually saying anything about whether this is a good, bad, or indifferent thing. Why do you think that is? Because the proof is in the scientific pudding. Note that even the CDC attaches the "MAY" to "be addictive". Such a non-committal answer from the same agency that is adamant that smoking causes every single smoker to die "at least 10 years" earlier than they otherwise would have lived (can't ever be proven, scientifically). From my own experience, I can say that I am no longer addicted to nicotine. But telling me I can't vape is, to me, the same thing as telling me that all bacon will be removed from the market because Americans are fat and bacon is unhealthy. It's really that simple to me. There are a whole host of other Food and Drug products that are as "addictive" as nicotine. Alcohol and caffeine readily spring to mind. And there is absolutely no uproar over Blackberry Brandy, Peach Schnapps, Kahlua, Mike's Hard Lemonade, or any other number of "candy flavored" alcoholic beverages. Caffeine, which according to many sources is about as addictive as nicotine, is prevalent anywhere beverages are sold. And, there is absolutely no attempt to control caffeine consumption by minors. Further, nicotine offers very similar benefits to caffeine including, but not limited to, benefits as widely distributed has helping with ulcerative colitis, relieving muscle pain, alleviating negative symptoms in Schizophrenics and Tourette's. Hell, here's one I'll through out there that the FDA and CDC will NEVER tell you outright. It is a well accepted and proven medical fact that non-smokers are 3x MORE likely to die of Parkinson's disease than smokers. Wait! What? Yes. And you want to know the kicker? The medical profession has known this for half a century. Yes, you heard that right. Had my wife's uncle been prescribed nicotine, he might still be alive today.
