Chapter 10, Problem 1QC

Do you think e-cigarettes should be regulated, and if so, how? Should they be taxed?

Summary Introduction

To review:

The mode of e-cigarettes (electronic) regulation and the reason for their regulation. And the opinion about their taxation.

Introduction:

E-cigarettes are a widely used alternative to regular cigarettes. They are designed to look like cigarettes and deliver nicotine to the smoker without the involvement of tar or other carcinogens. They use batteries to heat up the nicotine-containing liquid and vaporize it to produce an aerosol that looks like smoke. They are helpful to people especially who become chain smokers. E-cigarettes offer a relatively safer alternative as the risk of cancer is greatly reduced.

However, they are not used just as an alternative to regular cigarette smoking. These products are marketed really well and hence have become an attraction to the nonsmoker population as well. While e-cigarettes are a much safer alternative for regular cigarettes just like nicotine gums and patches are; they are not completely safe. They contain nicotine, which is an addictive substance.

Explanation of Solution

Regulation of e-cigarettes has been a debatable topic. Initially, they were planned to be regulated like any other alternative to smoking that would help people quit smoking. These include nicotine gums and patches. However, the sales and marketing of e-cigarettes are entirely different from other alternatives. It is marketed as a product of its own and is aimed to appeal a much larger audience, which consists of nonsmokers as well.

Furthermore, since it is aimed at a young audience, it could lead to a large number of nicotine addicts. Hence, modifications to its regulation needed to be made. This justifies the need of regulation of e-cigarettes.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) then proposed to regulate e-cigarettes as other tobacco products. This was to avoid the unwanted spread and use of e-cigarettes. It is however unsure whether this should be applied or not since e-cigarettes do not actually contain any tobacco.

Taxing e-cigarettes could also have its pros and cons. It cannot be ignored that e-cigarettes do offer a successful cigarette substitute and taxing them might increase their prices and people might continue to use regular cigarettes. Not taxing could encourage their use among nonsmokers, which would also have its harmful effects.

Conclusion

Therefore, e-cigarettes work as an alternative to regular smoking as they contain nicotine but no tar or other carcinogens. Their regulation is important because companies that manufacture these products and target to deliver them to much larger audiences, which also include nonsmokers. Hence, it is important to regulate e-cigarettes in order to avoid an increased population of nicotine addicts. Taxation may have both advantages and disadvantages.