Don’t destroy the nicotine vaping industry Activists have put hatred of nicotine above science and forgotten the purpose of public health: Opposing view

Gregory Conley | Opinion contributor

Show Caption Hide Caption E-Cigarettes: Teen vaping ‘epidemic,’ explained Juul dominated the e-cigarette industry, prompting the FDA to call teen vaping an “epidemic.” What does vaping do to your body? We explain.

The vaping community is in crisis for all the wrong reasons.

There has been a torrent of bad news over the past few months regarding illnesses and deaths caused by illegal vaping products. It has caused the government to do what the government does: respond to hysterical media coverage with a “ban first, ask questions later” mentality.

When President Donald Trump announced his support of a flavor ban on nicotine vaping products in September, he was under the impression that “vaping” in general was killing people. Today, we know that the focus of the Centers for Disease Control investigation is not store-bought nicotine vaping products, but illicit marijuana oil cartridges containing a dangerous contaminant called vitamin E acetate.

Trump, a man who has never smoked, cared enough to learn more about the issue and what the true culprits in these illnesses and deaths are. He now appears to realize that taking away the most powerful quit smoking tool available will create a public health crisis as Americans turn to potentially dangerous counterfeit products or return to deadly combustible cigarettes. Rather than resorting to reefer madness-style prohibition, which we know failed with marijuana and alcohol, he is seeking out smarter solutions that will protect both youth and adults.

OUR VIEW: Ban flavored vapes? That's just a start

Now, even though nicotine vaping products have helped several million adult smokers quit, anti-vaping activists are trying to encourage the president to destroy an industry that is employing approximately 150,000 Americans.

These activists have allowed their hatred of nicotine to make them ignore science and forget the true purpose of public health: reducing disease and death.

We made these points to the president Friday at the White House. We are hopeful that the Food and Drug Administration will finally drop its prohibition crusade and work with the industry and consumers on sensible regulation that protects all Americans.

Gregory Conley is president of the American Vaping Association.