Artur Galimov, Liam Obaid, Jennifer B. Unger
Regardless of ongoing regulatory efforts to curb the vaping epidemic, the tobacco trade continues to introduce new merchandise with modern options. The trade has been significantly inventive in attracting youthful audiences by advertising gadgets that resemble toys and vaping gadgets with built-in video video games. Lately, e-cigarette producers launched a brand new technology of vaping merchandise – “sensible vapes” – disposable e-cigarettes outfitted with built-in sensible expertise options and cellular apps (see Determine 1).
Determine 1. Examples of disposable vaping gadgets outfitted with built-in sensible expertise options. (A) Posh Professional Max ( (B) Craftbox V-Contact ( (C) Halo Synix ( (D) AirFuze Good ( (E) Swype ( (F) South Join ( (G) Fume ( (H) Feed Sync ( (I) Vookbar ( Notice: All of those gadgets include pre-installed video games and fundamental utility apps comparable to a calendar, flashlight, digital camera button, stopwatch, climate updates, and contacts (import, view), in addition to choices to share pictures and customise the wallpaper. Extra sensible options for every machine are summarized within the determine. All machine pictures had been captured from the retailer web sites on 10 November 2024. This determine was designed utilizing icons from Flaticon.com.
Much like conventional disposable e-cigarettes, these gadgets can be found in a wide range of youth-appealing fruit, dessert, and ice/cooling flavors (e.g., Mango Ice, Banana Taffy) and ship as much as 5,000 – 30,000 puffs. They’ve a brilliant and colourful packaging, comprise 2% (50mg/mL) – 5% (50mg/mL) of nicotine salt, and have rechargeable batteries. Good vape gadgets include touchscreen and have Bluetooth connectivity, permitting them to be linked to a smartphone and positioned by way of a “discover my cellphone” function. These gadgets additionally embrace fundamental utility apps comparable to a calendar, flashlight, digital camera button, stopwatch, climate updates, contacts (import, view), photograph sharing, and customizable wallpaper.
Extra superior sensible vaping gadgets (e.g., Posh Professional Max) are outfitted with built-in audio system, enabling customers to play music or audio from their smartphones instantly on the vaping machine. These gadgets additionally embrace name, message, and social media notifications, whereas the Craftbox V-Contact has a built-in microphone that can be utilized to make or obtain calls. Moreover, fashions just like the Swype and VookBar Cyber Professional embrace built-in smartwatch/health tracker options that enable customers to trace steps, energy burned, and coronary heart charge. These gadgets additionally embrace a couple of pre-installed video video games, just like these present in vaping gadgets with video video games.
On October 30, 2024, the USA Meals and Drug Administration issued warnings to 9 on-line retailers and one producer to stop promoting and advertising disposable e-cigarettes with designs and functionalities resembling sensible expertise. Regardless of these regulatory actions, these gadgets are nonetheless marketed and accessible for buy at on-line tobacco retailers, with a mean value of $15–$25, roughly the identical as conventional disposable e-cigarettes. Moreover, the sale of those sensible vaping merchandise is increasing into bodily retail areas. In November 2024, our group noticed these gadgets at tobacco retailers Wisconsin (Eau Claire) and in Southern California (Los Angeles; see Determine 2).
Determine 2. Examples of “sensible” disposable vaping gadgets offered at tobacco retailers in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Higher panel: “Good” disposable gadgets (Halo Synix, South Join, and Posh Professional Max) accessible in-store, together with their product packaging. Decrease panel: Level-of-sale show that includes Posh Professional Max gadgets.
Good vaping gadgets are additionally gaining reputation on social media platforms, with some movies that includes “sensible” disposable vaping gadgets producing over 10 million views on youth-popular platforms comparable to TikTok (see Determine 3). The mixing of smartphone-like designs and functionalities into vaping gadgets is regarding and more likely to enchantment to youth, as it may well assist conceal the character of the merchandise from dad and mom, academics, or different adults. The mix of sensible expertise options and vaping, coupled with viral social media advertising, might entice youth and younger adults who in any other case had by no means tried nicotine merchandise to provoke vaping. Furthermore, options like name, message, and social media notifications, health tracker, in addition to the flexibility to play music might enhance the period customers actively use these gadgets and introduce extra reinforcers to puff the vape amongst present customers, doubtlessly resulting in extra extreme nicotine dependancy.
Determine 3. Screenshots of viral TikTok posts that includes “sensible” disposable vaping gadgets. Left panel: TikTok video that includes the AirFuze Good Disposable machine, which generated 15.3M views, 2.1M likes, and 0.7M shares. Proper Panel: TikTok video that includes the Craftbox V-Contact Disposable machine, which generated 7.3M views, 0.6M likes, and 0.2M shares. Notice: Screenshots had been captured from TikTok (www.tiktok.com) on 15 November 2024.
It’s essential to handle these gadgets via strong coverage and academic initiatives to mitigate their impression on public well being. Enhancing the enforcement and surveillance of present insurance policies to stop the sale and advertising of those merchandise, particularly to minors, could also be helpful. This may increasingly embrace imposing stricter penalties for retailers who promote to underage customers and growing monitoring of on-line gross sales channels. Public well being campaigns needs to be developed to boost consciousness amongst dad and mom, educators, and youth in regards to the dangers related to these sensible vaping gadgets, emphasizing their potential to hide use and enhance nicotine dependancy.
Artur Galimov, M.D., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Inhabitants and Public Well being Sciences, Keck College of Medication, College of Southern California, USA; Liam Obaid. B.S. MPH Scholar, Division of Inhabitants and Public Well being Sciences, Keck College of Medication, College of Southern California, USA; Jennifer B. Unger, Ph.D. Professor of Inhabitants and Public Well being Sciences and Vice Chair for College Growth, Keck College of Medication, College of Southern California, USA
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