Juul, an electronic smoking device, is the biggest and most dangerous fad in 2018. While many teens are rushing to the fad, researchers and parents are trying to stop the spreading epidemic while they still can.

According to Nielsen data, Juul is the best selling e-cigarette, with 32% of the market share of the e-cigarette category.

Juul is, according to an article done by  the American Academy of Pediatricians, devices that “are battery operated and work by heating a pod of e-liquid or ‘juice’ that contains nicotine, flavorings and other chemicals. When heated, the liquid creates an aerosol or vapor that users inhale.”

Juul contains nicotine that is inhaled by the user. Nicotine has been known to “contribute to the formation of plaques that lead to heart disease,” according to research done by Terry Martin, an advocate for nicotine addiction.

While many teens have shifted away from cigarettes, the rise of Juuling is continuous. According to a study done by Gallup, 82% of 16-29 year olds understand that smoking cigarettes is bad for your health, while only 22% of that same age group believe Juuling is bad for your health

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement in April regarding the steps they are taking to limit Juul use for minors but many believe it’s not enough.

Schools, like Notre Dame, have cracked down on the use of Juuls in the schools. In schools in New York administrators have installed “Juul detectors” in the bathrooms to detect if a student is using the device in school. Even that isn’t enough to stop students from using the product.

One of the biggest side effects of Juuling with nicotine is the raising threat of cancer. According to an article done by Health24, Juuling can “raise the risk of cancer because it leads to DNA damage, even though it contains fewer carcinogens than tobacco smoke, a US study has found.”

Juuling is a dangerous and idiotic trend that has started with high schoolers. While many high schoolers believe it’s cool and fun, I believe it’s cool and fun to not have cancer.