Netflix series BROKEN

Episode 2: Vaping

https://www.netflix.com/watch/81002636

I had no idea that kids are so into vaping.

The Camel people gave me my first free trial pack in Germany when I was 13 years old. They had their table set up in front of a little market by the bus stop and all the kids got freebies.

My Grandpa was the only person in my family who smoked.  I think he got started when he was a POW in Russia for several years and I remember him trying to quit and switching to pipe shortly before lung cancer killed him in his 60s.

I smoked over two packs a day for about 15 years until I got sick of hearing my husband whining how hard it is to quit smoking.   Showed him how to do it.   I smoked ditch weed leaf until I got over the nicotine withdrawal.  I’m so glad I quit and never had another cigarette.

Now I vape THC when I wake up at night and can’t go back to sleep.  It’s so convenient. No lighter is required and it’s not harsh.

According to this documentary, in the UK they promote vaping to get people to quit cigarettes.  The nicotine content is limited. Marketing is not allowed.  Kids don’t vape like here.

The JUUL, stylish and with extra nicotine, became extremely popular through a huge marketing campaign in 2015.   They hooked the teenagers. Again.

By the time the FDA finally acted in 2018 and investigated JUUL, it was too late.

Phillip Morris then became a major shareholder in JUUL.

The episode ends displaying this message:

In 2019, a mysterious outbreak of vaping-related lung illness sickened over 1,000 people and killed more than thirty.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration are investigating the cause.

Their latest findings indicate that off-market THC products are linked to most of the cases and play a major role in the outbreak.

I found many 2019 articles about illnesses and deaths, but nothing about the FDA investigation results.

However, I found this rather disturbing 2020 article with references to health hazards such as this one:

https://parade.com/948552/lisamulcahy/flavored-vape-juice/

Secondhand chemical vapor

According to information from the Cleveland Clinic, the aerosols produced by device vapor can send clouds of chemicals like the following not just into your lungs, but into the lungs of anybody near you: chromium, nickel, tin, manganese, benzene (which is in exhaust fumes) propylene glycol (which is in antifreeze), acolein (weed-killer), and formaldehyde.

Is the FDA protecting the tobacco industry again?

Update: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/21162-vaping

That answers my question.