The haters are at it again, trying to say that flavored e cigs are aimed at kids. That brings one question to mind for many supporters of electronic cigarettes, which is "Just when does anyone stop liking flavors?" It may sound like a silly question, but do many grownups all around the world not enjoy the flavors of chocolate, mint, strawberries, bubble gum, etc.?
The simple fact of the matter is that you never stop liking flavor, just look at the obesity levels across the world. Obviously there are a lot of adults out there that enjoy flavor, and many of them happen to be smokers. Why is this such a sticking point for the anti-smoking groups? First they kick us out of public places, so we switch to e cigs, and now they do not think we deserve flavored eJuice. Come on people give us a break.
Intended For Adult Consumption
To increase the perspective take cigarettes out of the discussion entirely and put the same type of analysis on all of the products currently on the market that are intended for adult consumption. From the point of view as an adult consumer, take a moment to consider alcohol for instance.
Alcohol has similar restrictions when it comes to sales and advertising to those of cigarettes and it is not intended for consumption by children. If the same scrutiny was placed on alcohol manufacturers as they put on cigarette companies, then Smirnoff® and Samuel Adams® are some of the most deliberate examples of companies trying to attract children to purchase their products, intended for adult consumption.
Not to say that these companies actually are attempting to market their products to children, just that if these are simply attacking marketers of adult products purely on the basis of flavors being used as a tactic to attract child use, then these companies should be attacked in the same manner for blatantly marketing to children. These alcoholic products come infused a number of different flavors such as blueberry cinnamon, chocolate, marshmallow, orange and strawberry.
It may sound ridiculous, but are the same flavors not also available in breakfast cereals, candy bars and other products that are intended primarily for consumption by children and marketed as such? Now, a lot of people out there are going to agree that alcohol companies are guilty of using these same tactics.
Just assume for a moment that these naysayers are right. Then they are saying that companies such as K-Y Jelly® are also openly marketing to children as well because their products are available in flavors such as strawberry and chocolate. The point is that the use of flavors is not intended to attract kids because in all actuality flavors are simply way of life from the cradle to the grave.
Why Attack Flavor
Since flavors are not the kid magnet that the anti-smoking groups would like for you to believe, you may wonder then the issue is and why they choose to use flavors as their big argument against e cigarette companies. The answer is because it is easy and does not require much legwork.
It may sounds simple, but it is very true because the real issue is marketing, how and where products intended for adults are marketed. When all is said and done, the negative side of any argument will always use the easiest way to attack their opponent in a way that maximizes the ability to get as many others on their side as possible.
For example, consider if you are a part of the 'anti' group undertaking a war against alcohol and cigarette companies. The best way to get everyone to see your side of the argument and agree with your point of view is to say your opponent is harming children.
No one would listen to the anti-smoking groups if they were only attempting to change the choices of consenting adults capable of making their own decision regarding their health and well-being. However, by claiming that electronic cigarette manufacturers are hurting poor defenseless children they will get more people to see things their way.
It is justifiable to support any regulation or restriction preventing children from gaining access to tobacco cigarettes, e cigarettes and alcohol. However, when these regulations limit the personal choices of adults, then that is going just a little overboard.
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