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 Paul A. Lauto, Esq. received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC (Now located at 565 Route 25A, Suite 207, Miller Place, NY 11764; (631) 928-1430; www.liattorney.com), with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases and more. |
| There is a very popular trend infecting our country known as vaping or e-cigarettes. The legal age to buy e-cigarettes and tobacco products varies from state to state and even from county to county. In New York State the legal age to buy e-cigarettes in New York City is 21 years of age. On Long Island the legal age is 21 years in Suffolk County and in Nassau County it is 19 years of age. However, Nassau County is currently in the process of raising the legal age to match Suffolk County. Many people vape because they mistakenly believe that it is a healthy smoking alternative or because their friends do it. Although many engage in vaping and it is legal, the fact is that it can destroy your health with common ingredients such as nicotine, formaldehyde and diacetyl. Nicotine is an addictive chemical with common side effects that may include, but are not limited to, anxiety, depression, constipation, upset stomach and headaches. In addition, nicotine is a central nervous system and cardiovascular stimulant that constricts blood vessels, raises blood fat levels and artificially increases blood pressure and heart rate. Some people believe smoking in general helps calm them, improve their mood and relieve anxiety symptoms, but in fact it has the opposite effect. Any relief or calming people may feel from smoking or vaping, is only because the infusion of nicotine temporarily satiates nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Not only is any such relief temporary, it creates a vicious cycle and the need for more and more nicotine, while wholly failing to address the cause of one's symptoms. In addition to nicotine, another harmful ingredient commonly found in e-cigarettes is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a highly toxic chemical used in embalming fluid to preserve dead bodies. It has been found to cause cancer in lab animals and has even been classified as a probable human carcinogen by the EPA. In vapor form, formaldehyde is a severe respiratory and skin irritant that may cause dizziness and suffocation. When formaldehyde is ingested in large quantities it may cause respiratory failure resulting in coma or death. Another highly toxic chemical commonly found in vaping is diacetyl, which is used to flavor and color food and other products. Diacetyl's side effects may include, among others, fatigue, respiratory damage and popcorn lung which has been the subject of class action lawsuits. The introduction of such harmful chemicals into the body, sends it into emergency preservation mode as it tries to expel the chemicals. The expulsion of these chemicals is commonly done through our skin, which is why people who vape may also suffer from acne or other skin related problems. Based upon the above three chemical ingredients alone, it's easy to conclude that although vaping is legal, it can destroy your health. Vaping is not necessarily a healthy smoking alternative and to any reasonably mature person, it should make no difference whether or not friends do it. At some point in our lives, we all have to evaluate and take a stand for what is best for our own health. This frequently not only includes making smart decisions as to what we put in our bodies but often who we associate with. The younger we are when we take that stand, the longer we will likely live in health and happiness, so don't delay. |
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