This week we asked readers their thoughts on the state’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes and the trend vaping that’s responsible for killing nine people across the country so far this year.

Another quick cash grab like the K-2 epidemic. The government reacts after research sees negative effects in the public. Meanwhile, owners made millions [of dollars] and promise to do better next time.
Dion Powell
Claremont

 

I don’t know, but I always thought it was a waste of time. Users of tobacco don’t need to smoke less, they need to quit. No smoking at all. Never liked it and always thought smoking anything was bad. Man-made vapes? At least if it’s a cigarette, I would think there would be less chemicals. I think vapes are the worst. I think they just wanted to make the money … they don’t actually care about who’s going to get hurt.
Elainer Marmolejos
Bedford Park

I believe it’s another way for our government, the tobacco companies, to regain control of something they lost. Basically, the tobacco companies have lost millions of dollars by people switching over to vaping. I did a little research myself. Over in Europe they have been vaping for years. Using different flavors with the same kind of technique with three milligrams or six milligrams of nicotine. They never have had a problem. Now, all of a sudden people are dropping dead. It started with the Blue Pen, but now it’s trickling down to the vapes with the flavors. [I]t has nothing to do with flavors.
Antonio Sanders
Parkchester

I feel like e-cigarettes are horrible because of the way it’s accessible to the youth; it’s a bit scary. I also feel the flavoring in them entices children. That’s why there’s so many of the younger generation picking them up. They also don’t smell like tobacco; it doesn’t leave a stain on your fingers. Because they don’t smell like tobacco, the parents will never find out. Because it comes in strawberry and other flavors, they are targeting this generation. The fact that it’s killing people is why they are taking it out. If it was just killing black and brown [people] it wouldn’t be an issue, but because it’s affecting a lot more people, I feel that’s why they’re taking it off the shelves.
Kelli Crosby
Harlem, NY

They say vaping cigarettes are better for your health, but it’s not. It’s bad for your health. They didn’t experiment with it enough. They just put it out there and started to give it flavor. Now they got the young kids out here, puffin’, puffin’ like they’re crazy. The bubble gum flavor, the grape and they’re doing that with the pipes too. They should take all of it off the market. If they are going to put it out, they need to experiment first, test it to see if it’s safe for the public. Why put something out that’s poison?
Gregory Jackson
Norwood