Will e-cigarettes and vaping be the next addictions epidemic to sweep across America?

Oct 29, 2019

2 min

Justin Cole

In a recent op-ed, David T. Courtwright, Ph.D., an author and addiction specialist opined that there’s a market to getting people hooked on substances and that e-cigarettes are the next big problem facing America.

 

"I had just finished a new book on addiction when the vaping crisis erupted. The gist of the book is that that globalization, industrialization, mass marketing, digitization, and social media have turned the ancient human preoccupation with disreputable, potentially addictive pleasures into lucrative, commercially normal enterprises. Bad habits have been McDonaldized.


Vaping couldn’t have been a more perfect example of this.


I call those who help make bad habits routine “limbic capitalists,” a reference to their products’ neural common denominator. Whether they sell junk food, porn, slots, computer games, alcohol, or drugs, they target the limbic system, the brain networks responsible for pleasure, motivation, long-term memory, and other survival functions linked to emotions.


Biological evolution shaped the limbic system, which is indispensable for life and reproduction. But cultural evolution and technological change created a trapdoor. The same neural pathways can be exploited — lethally — by entrepreneurs of brain-rewarding products that foster excessive consumption and addictive behavior."  October 28, 2019 – STAT



There has been growing concern, awareness and news coverage about e-cigarettes and the dangers they present. As well, industry spin-doctors and public health advocates have been in overdrive trying to convince politicians about the pros and cons of legislation and regulation for these products.


Are you a journalist covering this emerging issue? Then let the experts from Cedarville help with your coverage.


Dr. Marc Sweeney  is an expert specializing in drug abuse, prescription drug abuse, Opioid addiction, medical marijuana & related issues.


Justin Cole  is an expert in clinical pharmacy, Pharmacogenomics, and the pharmacy industry. 


Both experts are available to speak to media regarding this issue – simply click on either gentlemen’s icon to arrange an interview.




Connect with:
Justin Cole

Justin Cole

Director of the Center for Pharmacy Innovation

Dr. Cole is an expert in pediatrics, pharmacy innovation, interprofessional care, and pharmacy practice advancement.

NeurologyPharmacyClinical PharmacyPediatricsPharmacy Innovation

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from Cedarville University

2 min

What does the Israel-Hamas ceasefire mean

After 15 months of war Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced Wednesday, January 15, his in the process of receiving approval for ceasefire from his security Cabinet in order to further the truce with Hamas. This ceasefire is not only expected to stop a war that has taken more that 46,500 lives, but also the phased release of dozens of American hostages and hundreds of Palestinians. Reports reveal that the ceasefire may be in effect by the end of the week. How will American citizens respond to what appears to be a resolution to the conflict in the middle east?  International relations expert, Dr. Glen Duerr, has been a reliable source on the events occurring in the Middle East. Here are three valuable insights from a recent interview: Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs the support from his security and full Cabinet to receive approval on will be a roughly six-week initial ceasefire phase. The Israel Supreme Court has up to 24 hours to approve The Prime Minister's ceasefire. It is estimated that the ceasefire will take full affect Sunday. What can we expect in the Middle East during the wait of the ceasefire? It was announced that there will be an emergency cabinet meeting held tomorrow renegotiating the deal after Prime Minister Netanyahu's office accused Hamas on reneging on part of the of the ceasefire. However a Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri denied all accusations of Hamas reneging on the terms of the ceasefire. Is the conflict and delay of the ceasefire a prediction to the conflict that is to come? The first stage of the ceasefire will take about 6 weeks, allowing the phased release of American and Palestinian citizens. Hamas is expected to release at least 2 American citizens during the first phase and a a Senior administration official during the second phase. It is expected with each hostage released by Hamas a number of Palestinian detainees will be released. How will the phased release of Hamas hostages affect the culture of Americans?  If you are a journalist covering the ceasfire betweek Isreal and Hamas, look no further than our experts for valuable insight and expert knowledge. Dr. Duerr is an expert on this subject and is available to speak to media regarding this ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the ongoing the war between Israel and Hamas – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Or schedule an interview by contacting Mark Weinstein at mweinstein@cedarville.edu

2 min

What the 2025 Tax Season May Look Like According to the IRS

The 2025 tax filing season will begin on Jan. 27. The Internal Revenue Service warns it may not be functioning as adequately due to the Republican-controlled congress rescinding IRS designated funding, causing cuts in staffing and potential technological updates to become stagnant. During the Biden administration the IRS was granted extra funding as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, passed exclusively with Democratic votes. The Trump administration has introduced a new scanning technology allowing tax returns to be filed quicker, upon the cut in previous IRS funding. This online filing system will allow taxpayers to file electronically with IRS for free, cutting out any unnecessary third party. There are concerns that the cut in funding may cause Trump's IRS updates to delay. How will the cut in IRS funding affect the 2025 tax season?  Economics expert, Dr. Jared Pincin weighs in on the discussion of how fund distribution will look under Trump administration in recent interview. Trump administration has cut funding for IRS from $80 Billion to $60 Billion through 2031. During his campaign for presidency Trump promised a reallocation for funding and distribution. How will we see Trump's policies redistribute funding?   Trump's new system, Direct File, is available in 24 states with hopes to make the 2025 tax season smoother than ever. Concerns arise that Trump's cut in funding to reallocate elsewhere may make his system to be come stagnant, causing delays and longer wait times for tax payers. Will Trump's new tax filing system make the 2025 tax season smoother or another nightmare?  President-elect Trump promised stricter tariffs on manufacturing industries and more aggressive industrial policies. Rescinding IRS funding is just the beginning of Trump's reallocation of funding. How will we see the change in funding affects businesses? If you are covering the the U.S. economy during the Trump administration and need to know more, let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Jared Pincin is an expert on economics and is available to speak to media regarding the Trump administration and the economy – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview.

2 min

Are Trump's Economic Reforms Obsolete After Biden Administration

President-elect Donald Trump campaigns were filled with promises of economic reform including strict import tariffs, strict immigration curbs, and deregulation. However, reports reveal the current economic state of the US may not be needing the president's aggressive reform. Trends reflect a strong economy with low unemployment rate; prompting concerns that Trumps policies could disrupt the economic growth. Trump will be taking office next week with a much different economic circumstances compared to his first term in 2017. Does the economic changes since Trump's first term make his reforms obsolete or even dangerous? Economics expert, Dr. Jared Pincin weighs in on the discussion of the economy during the Biden administration in a recent interview. There has been an increase of individuals getting second jobs or "side hustles" especially in the Gen Z generation. As the need for an extra income source increased the unemployment rate has decreased. Are the lowered unemployment rates just a reflection of an economy that won't allow citizens to live on one paycheck? Although the economy that Trump will be inheriting show positive changes since his first term in 2017, there are concerns that can not be ignored. Trumps expansionary policies can incite inflation if the economy is not calling for his aggressive reforms. How will Trump's administration reap the benefits of the Biden administration while preventing an economic crisis? The economy appears to be performing well, especially over the past year. These reports come in during Trump's promises of reform. Are these reforms going to strengthen the economy or are they proof of Trumps disconnect with the current economic health? If you are covering the the U.S. economy during the Trump administration and need to know more, let us help with your questions and stories. Dr. Jared Pincin is an expert on economics and is available to speak to media regarding the Trump administration and the economy – simply click on his icon or email mweinstein@cedarville.edu to arrange an interview. Jeff Haymond, Ph.D. is Dean, Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration and a Professor of Economics at Cedarville and is an expert in finance and trade. Dr. Haymond is available to speak with media regarding this topic – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

View all posts