Whether it be from reports of “popcorn lung” or reports of toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, vaping has had its share of detractors. While some people have admittedly quit smoking regular cigarettes, people who have never smoked before have also picked up the habit. There have been no studies into the potential long-term health effects of vaping, but a recent rash of serious illnesses and deaths have brought the industry even further scrutiny. These illnesses and deaths have made some state and local legislators talk of banning vaping products. CBS 12 reports that the Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will investigate how more than 20 companies are marketing their products.
The Florida Attorney General cited a “growing epidemic” of teen vaping to launch an investigation into how the products are marketed by the vaping companies.
Moody’s office has released the names of 22 companies that will be investigated. The investigation will include Florida-based and out-of-state companies to determine if they are advertising to children under 18.
In April, a report released by the Florida Department of Health revealed that a quarter of high school students in 2018 reported vaping. In 2014, then-Governor Rick Scott approved a law banning the sale of vaping products to children under 18.
San Francisco-based JUUL announced plans this year to dissuade youths from vaping.
Amid this scrutiny, health officials are looking into the causes of 68 reports of vaping-related illnesses in Florida alone this year. Information suggests that many of the vaping products contained THC and may have been obtained from unofficial sources.