Another voice has been added to the chorus of discontent attacking the FDA's regulatory rules for vaping , and the source of this support comes from an unlikely source: veterans.
Veterans who served in the military are much more likely to smoke than the general population. To date, according to figures from the Daily Caller, only 32 percent—even fewer than those who have never smoked traditional cigarettes. That means that of the millions of service members who have served at home and abroad, more than 65 percent smoke. That’s much higher than the 20 percent of civilians who smoke, who say smoking is their way of coping with the stresses of their service.
And until a decade ago, smoking traditional cigarettes was their only option.
And now, Will Cohen, founder of Vape a Vet Project has found that veterans are using vapes instead of traditional cigarettes. He stated in his latest speech on the subject:
“Veterans and active duty military have access to tobacco alternatives.”
Just like civilians, veterans have every right to use vaping as an alternative, which is why the Vape a Vet Project was founded. It is a non-profit charity that helps military and veterans quit smoking. The group accepts donations to provide free quit kits that include a vape device , tank , and a bottle of e-liquid .
But now that the FDA’s regulatory rules are in effect, vaping is in jeopardy. They’re predicting that by 2018, most vape shops will be forced to close, depriving the market of a safe and effective way to quit smoking. Some have already closed, and many more are being forced out of business by the PTMAs and other taxes approved during this election season.
Despite numerous studies confirming the benefits of vaping and the UK still promoting vaping as a smoking cessation tool, the FDA remains consistent in its view that vaping products are tobacco products. This is unfortunate, especially since we previously wrote about how scientists can use new technology to create synthetic nicotine and apply it to the general public.
Military veterans like Will Cohen are angry that the FDA regulation has lumped vaping in with tobacco, which has had a huge impact on the industry. And many of them own vape shops and are speaking out.
“Some have estimated that there are nearly 2 million former smokers vaping in the country today,” Ron Marshall, who owns two vape shops in Montana, wrote in the Great Falls Tribune about the FDA’s impact on the industry. “If the FDA were to remove all vaping products from the market, I wouldn’t be surprised if former smokers would return to traditional cigarettes. From a public health perspective, the outcome would be the exact opposite of what the FDA intended.”
None of this is going to stop veterans from fighting, it’s their right. But the fight continues. With the deadline for businesses to file PMTAs approaching, veterans will continue to fight anti-vaping laws.
This article was published on Churnmag by Jimmy Hafrey and translated by The Vape Club
