There’s a new frontier in the world of smoking. Vapor-based technology such as vaporizers and e-cigarettes are steaming up politicians, concerned citizens, and entrepreneurs alike as the new industry grows at an exponential rate. High-risk merchants looking to open e-cigarette merchant accounts are at the forefront of the swirling argument over vapor-based technology.
Opposite Arguments
Opponents of e-cigarettes and vaporizers argue that they act as a gateway to cigarettes. Yet, proponents of the e-cigarette technology point to the multitude of smokers that are abandoning traditional combustion-tobacco products in favor of vapor-based smoking.
Traditional cigarettes provide a limited scope of customization and flavor to the smoking experience. While sophisticated vaporizers and e-cigarettes can provide multiple ways of heating a blend, different add-ons for inhalation, and different flavored blends. With control over the heating apparatus, many smokers find e-cigarettes to be a preferable alternative.
As an added benefit, vaporizers and e-cigarettes eliminate the most harmful byproduct of cigarettes to others: secondhand smoke. This has, until recently, allowed vapor technology to be used in places where cigarettes can’t: clubs and restaurants.
Legislation
Due to the void of FDA findings and standards for vapor-based technology, the Fed has been sluggish in legislating this new industry. Many local governments and state governments have taken it on themselves to begin legislating this new industry. If you have an e-cigarette business or merchant account then you must monitor the news in your city and state closely.
Due to a lack of FDA research, there’s currently a ‘gray zone’ for e-cigarettes. Those in favor of restricting e-cigarettes point to the worst-case scenario over the lack of facts while those in favor of keeping e-cigarettes de-regularized have essentially the same argument: there’s no proof or ruling either way.
The Research Void
The industry is so new, that trials and studies simply haven’t had sufficient time to complete their findings. The lack of standards for the industry provides the best arguments for both sides. Is it possible for e-cigarettes to be harmful to your health? Yes. It’s up to the manufacturers and suppliers to ensure there aren’t harmful substances in their blends. Are e-cigarettes in most cases healthier than traditional cigarettes? Probably. It again depends on where your products are coming from.
Until the FDA completes its research and rules one way or another, the industry will remain at high-risk and merchants will continue to seek out specialized e-cigarette merchant accounts.
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