The media, vaping companies, and politicians are lying to the Jewish community and our children.
Vaping was first introduced in the United States in 2007. In the ensuing years, vaping has undergone many modifications and has evolved from simple nicotine delivery systems to sophisticated, customizable devices that can deliver a range of powerful and harmful substances to its users. Vaping devices contain a high-heat filament that vaporizes a liquid, often called e-liquid, or “vape juice,” into an aerosol that the user inhales.
The addictive nature of nicotine stems from its effects on the brain and the rapid development of tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Tolerance means that over time, higher doses of nicotine are needed to achieve the same stimulant effect, leading to an increase in vaping frequency and intensity. Withdrawal symptoms include irritability, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, and increased appetite. These symptoms can begin within a few hours after the last vaping secession, prompting the vaper to continue nicotine use.
The inhalation or consumption of nicotine stimulates many neurochemicals and receptors. Dopamine activates the pleasure response and is a significant factor in the nicotine addiction process. Over time, the brain begins to require additional nicotine to produce an equivalent amount of dopamine, resulting in increasing nicotine consumption. The amounts of dangerous, addictive psychoactive chemicals like nicotine manufactured into vaping devices today are literally "astonishing" in their strength compared to just a few years ago. Vaping companies are making products that are poisoning our children. Vaping devices and chemicals are manufactured to be addictive. Companies use social and psychological profiling to advertise these devices and chemicals to our young people. To make matters worse, young people looking to try vaping for the first time are bombarded with messages that nicotine is "legal and safe."
The conclusions of a recent peer-reviewed study by Al-Rawi et al. (2023) were the following:
"We conclude that the spread of misinformation and the accusations of misinformation dissemination using terms such as "fact check," "misinformation," "fake news," and "disinformation" have become weaponized and co-opted by pro-vaping actors to delegitimize criticisms about vaping and to increase confusion about the potential health risks."
Because of these messages, young people do not trust correct information from parents, teachers, and adults after being told alternative, dangerous, and misguiding statements first.
The consequences of this rise in the potency of nicotine are vast. Nicotine is a stimulant that affects more than eight different neurotransmitters and leads to quick and effective addiction of our children to the drug. Addiction occurs primarily through a release of dopamine in the brain, which produces pleasure for its user. There is also a growing body of evidence suggesting that our children who utilize high-potency nicotine will have more than a 3X incidence of starting to use THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and experience a more difficult time quitting THC. They will also face greater psychiatric and psychosocial problems if they are dual (THC) vapers. Finally, adolescents and teens with any substance use disorder are more likely to abuse prescription drugs in adulthood.
The bottom line is we are at war with multi-billion-dollar actors manufacturing and selling these addictive devices and chemicals, and the casualties of this war are our Jewish children. It is my firm opinion that we are in the early acceleration stages of a vaping epidemic in America. Politicians and nicotine companies created this emerging epidemic by actively pushing and selling addictive nicotine products openly under the "false imprimatur" of legality and safety. The nicotine companies are essentially brainwashing the American public with powerful marketing strategies, causing people to consume more and far stronger nicotine-based products than ever before.
At the same time, many nicotine companies deny the adverse health effects of nicotine. They finance research that they tout as "independent." Many companies market to teenagers, and larger companies spend millions of dollars lobbying for pro-nicotine politicians. All pharma companies understand well that if they hook a patient on their products while young, they will potentially have a customer for life. Simple examples of this truth are opioids, ADHD meds, and nicotine.
We have no idea what the long-term consequences of high-potency nicotine are going to be for young and older people. Are we going to believe for a moment the messages from today's "unregulated" vaping industry? I encourage the reader to sign up for my anti-vaping live webinar before your kids head off to camp. You just may prevent them from experimenting with these dangerous and addictive substances and avoid a lifetime of problems.
Dr. Eric Bornstein is a biochemist, dentist, photobiologist, and renowned medical lecturer. He has delivered lectures on the subjects of the dangers of vaping and marijuana to over 170,000 healthcare professionals. He currently lectures 12-14 times per month to healthcare professionals. On alternate days, he teaches science and health classes at a Yeshiva Ohr Reuven in Suffern, NY. Dr. Bornstein is available for consultation and private seminars and programs for Jewish schools and organizations. www.jewish-medical-seminars.com/contact.html
