E-cigarettes and Vapes have a new competition called Juul. Lots of kids and adults think it is a safer substitute for cigarettes, but is it really safer?

Now you may be wondering what a Juul is, a Juul is a smaller version of a vape. CNN says it works by “creating an inhalable vapor with a small inner coil that slowly heats, creating a vapor that is inhaled.”

It has become very popular with nicotine users because it is marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. They have also have become very popular because of how small they are.

A Juul is about 3.5 inches long. The average male’s hand is about 7.44 inches long while the average woman’s is 6.74 inches long, making it very easy to hide one in your hand. This makes Juuls very appealing to people who want to keep their smoking more discreet.

Vapes are considered safer than cigarettes but still contain nicotine. This makes Juuls very addicting.

Vapes can cause lots of different health issues. An article from Science News states, “Chemicals in e-cigarettes can damage lung tissue, provoking inflammation. That damage can reduce the ability of the lungs to keep out germs and other harmful substances.”

Many kids in high school have been buying and selling Juuls. Here in Kentucky, it is illegal for a minor to possess or purchase anything that has nicotine in it.

The punishment by law if you are under 18 and found vaping is a uniform citation from the police. A uniform citation means you have to go to court on the assigned date. If you miss your assigned day, the court has the right to forcefully bring you to court.

Garrett Ashley, a former vaper, and senior at Greenwood said he stopped when “he realized that he was putting his health in danger.” The increased popularity of vaping also turned him off. “I noticed more people doing it and this made it less appealing to me, because I realized how dumb it was.”

Ashley said, “I would never tell anyone to start vaping; it only leads you down a bad path. It will drain your money and your energy.”