FDA Infographic on Teen Vaping: Hey Kids!

Following my recent discussion of the FDA’s self-proclaimed “laser-targeted” vaping epidemic ad campaign, I turn to the FDA Student Infographic: How Much Do You Know About the Epidemic?, shown in the photo at left.

Clive Bates kindly provides the following translations of the infographic’s key elements.

More than 5 million U.S. youth are using e-cigarettes. E-cigarettes, also known as “vapes,” are becoming increasingly popular among teens.

Hey, time to get with the program. All kids, especially cooler kids are doing it...

You may have already seen or heard about students vaping in your school, but it is important to know that certain types of vapes can be used very discreetly.

Everyone else is at it, except you - you just don't realise…

Certain products emit very low amounts of aerosol or “vapor,” which makes them easier to use discreetly than combustible cigarettes.

And you can keep it hidden from mom...

SOME TEENS REPORT USING E-CIGARETTES IN SCHOOL BATHROOMS AND EVEN IN THE CLASSROOM.

How cool is that...? In the ******* classroom!!!

Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the same highly addictive drug in cigarettes. Some e-cigarettes may contain as much nicotine as a pack of 20 regular cigarettes.

Wow... sounds awesome... and cost-effective. A way of smoking without smoking!! 

Some devices popular among teens — like JUUL and myblu — are as small as a USB flash drive and even look like one.

And we offer product recommendations, in case you aren't sure what to buy...

Bates’s translations are more than humorous.  They identify a serious and unrecognized problem: For years the media has been flooded by counter-productive scaremongering press releases and announcements from FDA and other tobacco prohibitionists about teen e-cigarette use.  It’s hard to imagine a more effective way to advertise and promote vaping to vulnerable teens.