The 2024 US presidential election is fast approaching, and there have been a lot of things going on because of this election – so many misconceptions and concerning news have been shunned on various platforms and media outlets.

Also, as usual, the Democrats and Republicans have been saying a lot of stuff to win voters on their different sides, but politicians’ words cannot really be held on to. However, people would always vote for the politician or party that promises to enact rules and regulations that favor them.

As a vaper, apparently, you won’t want to vote for a party that would come on and put strict regulations on vaping across the states. So, in this upcoming election, which party has a lighter touch on vaping?

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to solicit voters for a particular party; this is completely for information purposes only, what you do with the information provided here is solely on you.

US Election 2024: Which Party Has a Lighter Touch on Vaping?

Among the many factors that voters consider before vesting their vote for a particular party, the topic of vaping regulation matters to a vaper.

Considered a healthier alternative to smoking, vaping has come to be a go-to relaxing activity for many. With many vape device types packed with lots of features and techs, vaping has become more fun, entertaining, and exciting than ever.

In this article, we will touch on various stances of the Democratic and Republican parties on vaping, analyzing which party might have a lighter touch on this controversial subject.

The Vaping Landscape in the US

Vaping involves the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or other devices that allow the inhalation of vaporized nicotine or non-nicotine juices (flavors). Initially marketed as a “Quit-Smoking” aid, vaping quickly grew into a popular trend, particularly among teenagers and young adults.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2021, approximately 11% of high school students reported using e-cigarettes. A reasonable decline from the previous years. The consumption of e-cigarettes and vapes has been a controversial one nationwide, but what are the electoral parties saying?

The Democratic Party's Stance on Vaping

If we check through the recent times – about 5 – 10 years back, you would agree with us that the Democrats have always deployed stricter approach to vaping regulation, on the note that it treathens public health and safety for younger adults. Here are some points to prove this:

• Vape Flavor Bans: Democrats moved and supported the law to place bans on flavored e-cigarettes – pointing that such products attract younger users. In 2019, several Democratic-led states and cities passed flavor bans to reduce the rising trend of youth vaping.
• Age Restrictions: The flavor ban wasn’t enough to achieve the desired purposes, so the Democrats pushed for the Tobacco 21 Act, which raised the federal minimum age for purchasing tobacco and e-cigarette products to 21 years.
• Marketing Restrictions: Furthermore, the Democrats advocated for stricter regulations on the marketing of e-cigarettes and vapes, which is why you can hardly see vaping ads on social media platforms and other channels majorly used by young people.
• Health and Safety Concerns: The Democrats activity support funding for research on the long-term effects of e-cigarettes and advocates for public health campaigns to educate people, especially youth, about the dangers of vaping.

The Republican Party's Stance on Vaping

The Republican Party's approach to vaping regulation has been somewhat lenient, emphasizing personal choice and economic freedom. Here are some key aspects of the Republican view on vaping:

• Industry Support: The Republicans always hint on the economic benefits of the vaping industry, including job creation and tax revenue that could be gotten from there. So, they are more on enacting regulations that would be both favorable to the industry, while keeping the general public in the know about the possible damages of consuming products offered by businesses in this industry.
• Flavor Bans: Many Republicans are not in support of the flavor ban laws because they believe such harsh regulations could turn many back to traditional cigarettes or an OTC market. Instead, Republicans are on the side of making rules that enforce against sales to minors rather than broad restrictions.
• Personal Responsibility: Republicans generally promote the idea of personal responsibility and choice – where adults should have the freedom to choose whether or not they should vape after being informed about the potential risks.
• State vs. Federal Regulation: The Republican Party are majorly focused on state-level regulations over federal laws, arguing that each state is in a better position to understand and address the specific needs and concerns of its residents.
• Health and Safety Concerns: While Republicans acknowledge the health risks associated with vaping, they emphasize that it remains a less harmful alternative for adult smokers trying to quit traditional cigarettes.

Key Political Figures and Their Views

Here are the views of notable political candidates of each party and their individual views regarding vaping.

Democratic Leaders

1. Joe Biden: President Joe Biden has always expressed concerns about youth vaping and supports the use of strict regulations.
2. Nancy Pelosi: As Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi has been a vocal advocate for stronger vaping regulations.

Republican Leaders

1. Donald Trump: Former President Donald Trump’s administration had a mixed record on vaping. Initially, there was support for a flavor ban, but following pushback from vaping advocates and industry stakeholders, the administration adopted a more moderate approach, focusing on age verification and targeted enforcement.
2. Mitch McConnell: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell supported raising the minimum age for e-cigarette purchases to 21 but opposes broad flavor bans.

What More?

As the 2024 election approaches, the debate over vaping regulation will go on. Both electoral parties will need to treat this topic carefully, and by doing so, might secure more voters for their party.

For the voters, as the election draws near, it is important to stay abreast of each party’s stance on vaping and other key issues. Ultimately, the outcome of the election will shape the future of vaping regulation in the United States.

References:

1. “E-Cigarettes (Vapes).” CDC, May 15, 2024. Retrieved from [CDC - E-Cigarettes (Vapes)]
2. “Youth and Tobacco Use.” CDC. Retrieved from [CDC - Youth and Tobacco Use]
3. “CDC Says Youth Vaping Dropped More Than 40% in 2021.” Vaping360, September 30, 2021. Retrieved from [Vaping360 Article]