The new nicotine epidemic (includes podcast)

Episode 1: The youth today is facing an epidemic of vaping devices. E-cigarettes have spread and become a part of our culture at an alarmingly high rate, particularly among young people who picked it up as early as middle or high school. Regulations have made these devices more difficult to attain but a lot of the damage has already been done.

Young people all over the United States and other countries got hooked on nicotine E-cigarettes because they wanted to try the new trend many of their friends were engaging in at the time. The companies behind these vapes use marketing that panders to younger audiences with bright colors as well as sweet and tasty flavors such as banana and cotton candy.

We got the chance to speak with DeAndre, a young adult who uses these devices daily, about the effects vaping has on the body, how long he has been vaping, how it was vaping at a young age, and on the use of these devices in our world.

Episode 2: The youth today is facing an epidemic of their own, the wide use of vaping devices. E-cigarettes have spread and become a part of our culture at an alarmingly high rate, particularly among young people who picked it up as early as middle or high school. Regulations have made these devices more difficult to attain but a lot of the damage has already been done.

Young people all over the United States and other countries got hooked on nicotine E-cigarettes, wanting to try the new trend many of their friends were engaging in at the time. The companies behind these vapes use marketing that panders to younger audiences with bright colors, sweet and tasty flavors such as banana and cotton candy.

We were joined this episode by Jenna Stein, a prevention specialist from the Broward County United Way. We spoke about how she has seen our current vaping epidemic grow and how the modern vape companies have been targeting younger audiences with the previously discussed ads and flavorings. This has caused addiction, but there is plenty we can do to help.

Yenifer is a senior at Florida International University majoring in digital communications and media. After graduation, she plans to work in the radio entertainment industry and work as a radio personality.

Jonathan Casaverde Maimon is a senior majoring in Digital Communications with a track in Digital Journalism as well as a minor in International Relations. When they graduate, they plan on obtaining a master’s in political communications and continuing to work in Washington DC.

 

Estefano Lopez is a senior majoring in Digital + Interactive Media at Florida International University. Born and raised in Miami, he grew up around all sorts of different cultures and is a believer that people can and should do good in the world. In the future, he would like to work in the film industry, particularly as a filmmaker.