Westchester Youth Demand April Fuul's Day Ban on Flavored E-Cigs

Teens from across Westchester County are no "fuuls."

They gathered in front of “Fuul’s Candy Shop,” a faux pop-up storefront today, declaring it April Fuul's Day, and demanding that companies that make vape products, like the JUUL, stop “fooling” youth into nicotine addiction with attractive, candy flavored vape products.

The rally took place on the steps of the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY with the youth holding large candy-shaped balloons, to demonstrate their point.

Jack Waxman, founder of Youth Decide, called upon elected officials to enact a ban on all flavored vape products: “We know that many young people start vaping because of the attractive flavorings like mango and mint. The flavors lure kids in, the nicotine gets them hooked and the addiction keeps them buying the products,” said Waxman. “You can’t buy 'Chocolate Decadence' cigarettes which are more attractive to teens. That same standard should apply to e-cigarettes.”

Waxman, a Cornell freshman, promised to advocate on behalf of teens to get the Westchester County Legislature to ban flavored e-cigarettes, making it the first East Coast County to do so.

Youth are being fooled into thinking that vaping is safe and risk-free because of all the advanced marketing, colorful packaging and enticing flavors. But vaping, which has reached epidemic proportions among youth, 14 to 25 years old, has potential serious health risks including asthma, bronchitis, and nicotine addiction, and because the research is just beginning, the inhalation of known carcinogens is still being evaluated.

“They're being targeted by big tobacco and by these vaping companies who think just because they're young they don't understand the dangers. They obviously get the fact that vaping is very, very dangerous to their health,” said Westchester County Commissioner of Health Sherlita Amler, MD who attended the rally to hear the students' concerns.

In front of “Fuul’s Candy Shop,” teen after teen took to the microphone to urge responsible adults in leadership positions to create a world that helps keep youth safe, healthy and drug-free.

“Flavors in Juuls, and any e-cigarettes, are a direct attack on teens,” said Grace Myron, a senior from New Rochelle. “Fruity flavors have attracted so many teens to the point that the use of e-cigarettes increased from 1.5 percent in 2011 to 20.8 percent in 2018. By getting addicted to these fruity flavors, my peers don’t understand what they are doing to their bodies and their future health. Together we need to put an end to this epidemic.”

"I've noticed that many teens nowadays have this idea that Juuls are the cool, safe alternative to smoking tobacco. What they fail to understand is that vaping can be just as addictive as tobacco cigarettes. While you may not be inhaling it with a rolled cigarette, you are still putting dangerous amounts of nicotine inside your body," said Quincy Campbell, also a senior from New Rochelle.

“On this April Fuul’s Day, we will bring awareness to the continued need for action to prevent teens from Juuling. We must demand regulatory and educational measures to stop teens from becoming addicted to a product that will negatively affect their health for the rest of their lives,” said Abe Baker-Butler, a junior from Rye Brook and a co-founder of Youth Decide.

“So many young people are trying to make healthy decisions, but we rely on the support of adults. Vape products are the perfect storm of an attractive product, enticing flavors, easy access, and an addictive substance. How do youth stand a chance?” asked Brian Garcia Hernandez.