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While the Puff is about to be banned in Europe, a new generation of electronic cigarettes is creating a buzz on the internet. The Smart Vape indeed offers an interactive screen… which can get you addicted.
It is not authorized in France, but your teenagers have probably heard of it. The Smart Vape, seen on all networks, is a new kind of vape, equipped with nicotine… and a screen.
A gadget that wants to make you smoke more
The Smart Vape thus presents itself as a hybrid object: a disposable electronic cigarette (because it is not rechargeable), just as harmful as its counterparts in terms of health. But enhanced with a small screen which offers different applications: Facebook, music player, online games… All the codes come together to make it the cool gadget for high school outings.
An object that unscrupulously targets young people and encourages greater consumption. “There are applications that make rankings: the more we shoot (smoking, editor’s note), the better we will be ranked” explains Adrian Branco, independent journalist specializing in new technologies on BFM tech & co.
The Generation Without Tobacco website, cited by Le Figaroalso notes the presence of games similar to the famous Tamagotchi “where you have to take care of a virtual animal. Thus, vaping allows you to collect virtual coins to feed your pet.”
Inaccessible in France? Not really
For the moment, it is not possible to buy the Smart Vape in French and European stores where its sale is not authorized. Not out of morality, but simply because the nicotine concentration is much higher than the standards in force: 50 milligrams of nicotine, compared to 20 milligrams authorized in France.
But who says “forbidden” does not mean “inaccessible”… It is still very easy to find where to buy them thanks to social networks. Seeing Smart Vapes flourish in France is therefore not impossible.
Several health risks
Behind this gadget riding the smartphone trend, however, hide several risks that young users do not think about. First of all, its nicotine level, very high, 50 milligrams, which increases the risk of dependence.
“We are heading towards a generation of addicted adolescents, with lung damage, behavioral problems, concentration problems due to vaping addiction,” alerts Dutch pulmonologist Sanne Hammer in the columns of Figaro.
Electronic cigarette professionals, for their part, point out that the product is not validated by Europe. “This means that these products, which come from China, are absolutely not controlled.” What about defective batteries or e-liquids inside? The risk of consuming toxic products is probable, but unknown.
Finally, more generally, the Smart Vape is sold between 30 and 40 euros, with a lifespan which does not exceed two days. A nonsense for the planet, increasing pollution and digging a little deeper into the wallets of the youngest, to take advantage of the additional activities offered on the screen.
While Puff, about to be banned for its incitement to smoking, is still very present among young people, do we already have the next threat to their health in hand?
Slide: Electronic cigarette: everything you need to know about vaping