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Juuling
The tobacco industry has taken notice of a product that has taken it by storm. E-cigarette
devices have gained substantial popularity, with the brand JUUL, clearly dominating the market.
They are battery-operated devices that are used to inhale an aerosol that contains nicotine,
flavorings, and other chemicals(Selekman, 2019). In 2020, 3.58 million adolescents reported that
they have used an e-cigarette device in the last 30 days(Mantey et al., 2021). This has triggered
regulatory action in an attempt to reduce the use of these devices among adolescents and young
adults.
Issues
The issues associated with Juuling are mainly in regard to adolescents. One issue is that
the system in a Juul delivers a much greater amount of nicotine than other e-cigarettes and is
causing adolescents to become nicotine dependent really quickly(Mantey et al., 2021). In this
study, 40.1 % of the adolescents that were sampled reported having symptoms consistent wit
nicotine dependence. The adolescent brain is especially susceptible to negative effects of
nicotine exposure and may cause addiction, reduced impulse control, deficits in attention and
cognition, as well as mood disorders.
Another issue is the manner in which Juul was marketed. Initially, it had several flavors
that caught the attention of the younger crowd(Selekman, 2019). This makes them think that it is
less harmful but each pod contains 40 to 59 milligrams of nicotine, the same amount as an entire
pack of cigarettes. They also are extensively advertised on radio, print, the internet and social
media, and television employing tactics that attract young people(Willett et al., 2018). This
exposure to the constant barrage of images increases the chances that they will pick up the
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product and try it. The concealability of the Juul is of interest to the adolescent crowd because it
is illegal for them to have these devices(Mantey et al., 2021).
Health implications
The adolescent health implications are of the utmost concern. Damage to the lungs of this
age group by using Juul devices can include metals released by the heating coils that can cause
lung damage(Selekman, 2019). In addition, “popcorn lung” can occur from the chemical diacetyl
that is present in buttery flavors(Selekman, 2019). It causes serious and permanent scarring to the
bronchioles and it has no cure. Inhalation of the vapors also damages parts of the brain such as
the prefrontal cortex.
Consequences for adult health from high levels of nicotine can cause cardiovascular
disease, increased blood pressure, and addiction(Selekman, 2019). It is advertised as an aid in
the cessation of tobacco use. The lack of evidence to support this aspect casts doubt on this
claim. The long-term effects of these devices have not yet been discovered. The exposure to
secondhand smoke is of concern even though there is no evidence to support this report.
The potential for nicotine dependence increased in younger people due to the Juul
containing a high concentration of nicotine delivered from its use(Mantey et al., 2021). This is
true for adults as well for the same reason.
Biblical implications
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were
bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017, 1
Corinthians 6:19-20). This passage reminds us that God does not want us to harm our bodies and
putting nicotine into it causes damage to it. Romans 12:1 echoes this when it says, “Therefore, I
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urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship” (Christian Standard Bible, 2017,
Romans 12:1).
Societal concern
Young people trying Juul for the first time cited curiosity and peer pressure were the
reasons that they decided to pick it up(Leavens et al., 2019). An additional reason for the
initiation of Juul use is that they perceived that their peer group would approve of their Juul use.
A higher perception of approval of behavior promotes engagement in it, according to the theory
of social normative behavior. The intensification of Juul use among college students may be
influenced by social norms surrounding the product.
Adolescent use of the Juul device is of concern as well. It is illegal for minors to use and
be in possession of Juul and other tobacco products because of the damage that can be done to
the brain as well as the heightened risk of addiction(Selekman, 2019).
Interventions for prevention
Interventions aimed at preventing e-cigarette usage or Juuling among adolescents are
centered around normative education and the content of prevention programs being
interactive(Liu et al., 2020). Teaching young people refusal skills, the utilization of peer leaders,
and education on the reasons and motivation behind making a decision to not use e-cigarettes is
the normative education that is an intervention in the prevention of Juuling. Interactive elements
of these programs that have some research backing them up are role-playing and practicing
refusal skills. Education about the harm associated with Juul should start as early as possible
because most initiation starts in adolescence. Having an age restriction on buying tobacco
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References
Leavens, E. L., Stevens, E. M., Brett, E. I., Leffingwell, T. R., & Wagener, T. L. (2019). Juul in
school: Juul electronic cigarette use patterns, reasons for use, and social normative
perceptions among college student ever users. Addictive Behaviors, 99, 106047.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106047
Liu, J., Gaiha, S., & Halpern-Felsher, B. (2020). A breath of knowledge: Overview of current
adolescent e-cigarette prevention and cessation programs. Current Addiction Reports,
7(4), 520–532. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-020-00345-5
Mantey, D. S., Case, K. R., Omega-Njemnobi, O., Springer, A. E., & Kelder, S. H. (2021). Use
frequency and symptoms of nicotine dependence among adolescent e-cigarette users:
Comparison of juul and non-juul users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 228, 109078.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109078
Selekman, J. (2019). Vaping: It's all a smokescreen. Pediatric Nursing, 45(1), 12–15.
https://www.proquest.com/docview/2184907265/fulltextPDF/8E6B46CAE6CD4C5APQ/
1?accountid=12085
Willett, J. G., Bennett, M., Hair, E. C., Xiao, H., Greenberg, M. S., Harvey, E., Cantrell, J., &
Vallone, D. (2018). Recognition, use and perceptions of juul among youth and young
adults. Tobacco Control, tobaccocontrol–2018-054273.
https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2018-054273
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