Teenagers have long experimented with tobacco products and alcohol as a form of rebellion and an expression of curiosity. Unfortunately, modern technology has made the products that replaced standard cigarettes even more appealing to young adults. Companies may intentionally market to teens, despite them being too young to legally buy vaporizers.
Companies now make money from vaping products that may contain high-concentration nicotine salts disguised by fruit and candy flavors. Many teenagers who use vaping products specifically choose sweet flavors and stealthy products that they can easily hide, with some of them even bringing vaporizers to school with them.
Additionally, there has been a surge in teen use of nitrous oxide in recent years. Smoke shops failing to validate the age of their consumers contribute to teens’ risk of addiction, injury and even death.
How vapes and nitro hurt teens
Nitrous oxide is dangerous due to the possibility of overdosing. While this inhaled drug creates a brief sense of euphoria, it can also cause neurological damage, cardiovascular issues and vitamin deficiencies.
Vaporizers are dangerous because they create a hard-to-break addictive cycle. The nicotine ingested while vaping can affect brain development. There’s also the risk of the vape pods containing toxic chemicals such as nickel, lead and formaldehyde. The presence of those adulterants can lead to lung scarring, chronic bronchitis and persistent breathing problems. Additionally, vape devices can malfunction due to their internal batteries and can cause burns or fires.
Why businesses may be liable
It is illegal to sell vaporizers or any cartridges to minors under Pennsylvania state law. It is illegal in general to sell nitrous oxide for the purpose of intoxication. State lawmakers have introduced bills intended to criminalize selling products containing nitrous oxide to minors. Families dealing with the aftermath of a teen accessing vaporizers or nitrous oxide through a local store may have grounds to take legal action.
When businesses break the law by selling items they should not or to people who cannot legally possess them, those businesses may be liable for the harm their actions cause to others. Reviewing how a teenager acquired a vaporizer or nitrous oxide, and later suffered harm as a result, with a legal professional can help concerned parents pursue justice as victims of a crime.