WHAT’S NEXT?
There have been multiple iterations of vaping devices over a relatively short span of time. The first commercially successful electronic cigarette was developed by Hon Lik, a pharmacist from China in 2003. The first generation of commercially successful electronic cigarettes were the “cig-a-likes”. The second generation of e-cigarettes were “box” or “mods” because you could modify your device. The third, and most impactful generation, was the pod. This is when in 2015, the Juul e-cigarette was introduced. The fourth generation and where we currently are, is the disposable e-cigarette. Within this generation, we have the development of synthetic nicotine, and now, 6-methyl synthetic nicotine the FDA doesn’t yet have authority to regulate.
I have gone through the iterations because it is important to see how this industry is always evolving. Sometimes, it is to evade the federal government and sometimes to keep consumers engaged and curious. They know youth are always looking for the next big thing to try and post on social media. That is where this newest evolution is coming from.
I give you the interactive disposable vape. These products have touch screens, animated displays, and built-in games. One company sells a disposable vape that has three retro games, one being Pacman. Another has a roulette wheel that the owner spins. They can earn points that can be submitted for prizes. So now we need to be concerned about a youth having a nicotine addiction and a gaming addiction. There is now the first Bluetooth disposable vape being sold. I purchased one to see if it works as advertised. I was able to name the device, “BAB”. Put a picture of myself on BAB. Put BAB in another room and track it. The last one I will mention does several things. Every time you puff, you earn food to feed your virtual pet. In another game, count your puffs so that you can submit your score on social media for rankings and win prizes. (Does this concern anyone?)
Friends, this is just the beginning. Interactive devices that have addictive substances in them. They could not be targeting youth, could they?
