Electronic Cigarettes Used Illegally By Some
Electronic cigarettes can be likened to mushrooms that grow quite well and fast. As if they have come from nowhere, these products’ market is having quite an impressive growth. Their sales are not the only aspect that grows; even controversies about electronic cigarettes are also soaring these days.
Used For Illegal Purposes
One of the controversial issues about these devices is the increasingly intensifying debate between their advocates and enemies. If you happen to9 be bored of this topic already, perhaps it would rouse your interest to know about the latest on electronic cigarettes.
A lot of users and supporters of these products are smokers. In fact, electronic cigarettes were actually intended by their inventor Hon Lik to be smoking devices that would deliver nicotine, but not harmful tobacco chemicals. However, recent investigation by Adam Walser from the I-team in Tampa Bay led to the discovery that there are users who use electronic cigarettes for unlawful purposes.
All through Tampa Bay, vaporizer pens (electronic cigarettes and other similar devices) can be easily bought from many smoke shops and convenience stores. These products have been a hit among smokers looking for a better way to quit their smoking addiction. One electronic cigarette user, Jim Langford, said that the flavor and everything else about these products are better than traditional smokes. Langford has started vaping to end his smoking decades.
Although promoted as alternative to smoking cigarettes, some individuals found they can use the same devices for purposes they were not intended for. On the popular video sharing website YouTube, some individuals actually post instructional videos and yips on how others can use these devices for using drugs stealthily while in public. In one video, a man tells his viewers that if the device is pulled out while in a restaurant or in a basketball game, anyone can take hits without looking suspicious. Other videos even give reviews about certain products used on illegal drugs.
Using the electronic cigarettes enable the user to create vapors out of the liquid solution that contains nicotine and other liquid drugs or chemicals. Unlike traditional smoke, no distinct aroma can be smelled if the user would load his instrument hash cigarettes or the traditional marijuana.
According top the police and law enforcement agencies in the Tampa Bay locality, no arrests have yet been made regarding the use of electronic cigarettes for these purposes. Although these police officers are keeping eye on the trend as electronic cigarettes are popularly used by almost everyone these days.
People Trying To Abuse The Products
One shop located in St. Petersburg, Smoker’s Vapor, is owned by Barry Gray. According to Gray, there are actually a number of people who abuse the use of the products. She said that she has helped many smokers quit their smoking habits. Nonetheless, she admits to seeing some merchants who sell similar devices not nicotine, but for hash and marijuana purposes.
Another woman working from another smoke shop, who only gave the name Ashley for identification, said that there are products, vaporizer and other similar devices that are being sold for illegal uses. According to her, these devices are becoming very popular; particularly in states that legally allows medical cannabis. She also added that if one has a vaporizer that can create chemical-free vapors; it becomes a healthy alternative regardless of what is placed inside of it.
Becoming A Dangerous Trend
Brittany McNaughton from the Anti-Drug Alliance in Hillsborough County said that this is becoming a dangerous trend due to the lack of regulations that will prevent children from purchasing or accessing the products.
From the latest surveys, it was found that about one-third of the high school students in Hillsborough County confess to have used marijuana while 23% said they have ever tried cigarette smoking. McNaughton is worried that these children are being targeted by the vicious sellers. She added that regardless if these youngsters are buying candies or juice, they would still see these devices displayed on the stores. Children are constantly exposed to them, which is a tactic that some sellers use to attract minors.
FDA regulations on electronic cigarettes are still being awaited. While some stores say they only sell to people above 18 years old, there is still nothing to keep nasty sellers from making profits from the younger consumers.
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