By Agnes Mathey
As a grandmother of two young adults, I am growing increasingly alarmed by the rise of illegal vapes flooding our state. For years, parents, educators, and health professionals fought to prevent kids from smoking cigarettes. Those efforts paid off, with teen smoking rates declining dramatically. But now, we face a new battle—one that is just as dangerous, if not more so.
Vaping has surged in popularity, especially among teens. The 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey reported that over 2.1 million students are using e-cigarettes with a troubling increase among middle school students. Nearly 90% of these youth are vaping flavored products. I would call for the federal government to make these products illegal, but they already are. The problem is the U.S. Food and Drug Administration‘s (FDA) failure to enforce those regulations.
The FDA has only approved 34 e-cigarette products—all of which are either tobacco or menthol flavored, and none of which are disposable. Yet, our store shelves are filled with fruity, disposable vapes designed to look like school supplies, some even featuring built-in video games to attract children. These products are illegal and should not be available to our youth.
There is the misconception amongst youth that vapes might be safe, but the truth is far different. Vapes contain high levels of nicotine, which can be highly addictive, particularly for developing brains. Nicotine addiction is not the only risk—recent studies have linked vaping to lung damage, cardiovascular issues, and other severe health conditions.
Adding to parents’ concerns is the fact that most illegal vapes in Florida come from China, a country that has outlawed the sale of these products domestically but is fine with their export to our country. Because illegal vapes are unregulated and contain chemicals that have not been properly tested, we have no idea what harmful substances our children may be inhaling. The ingredients in these illegal vapes could pose even greater dangers than those in cigarettes.
We need our elected officials to step in and make Florida healthier and safer for our children and grandchildren.
I urge Congressman Dunn and the entire Florida congressional delegation to push the FDA to take stronger action against the illegal vape market. These dangerous products should not be allowed to flow into Florida and endanger our youth. The FDA must increase enforcement efforts, crack down on illegal imports, and hold companies accountable for marketing to children.
We cannot afford to let our guard down. We won the fight against cigarettes, and now we must wage another battle against vaping. It’s time for the FDA to enforce its regulations on these harmful products—our children’s health and future depend on it.
Agnes Mathey is a Tallahassee resident who serves on a national rural health board.
