In relation to blog post five, we are going to discuss teen vaping. In a recent study conducted by the National Youth Tabacco Survey found that since 2017, high school student's use of e-cigarettes and related devices has risen 15.8%. Inversely, cigarette use amongst the same demographic has decreased 1.6% to 5.8%. It seems one evil has been replaced by another, and the teen population is suffering from it. Starting in May 2020, the FDA will finally require all e-cigarettes sold to be reviewed for harmful chemicals such as Vitamin E Acetate. This chemical is the primary culprit in the recent illness and deaths across the US, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC. Not only are e-cigarettes proving to be harmful, they are underregulated.  

Government intervention is essential to continue the path of reducing tobacco consumption in the US. E-cigarette retailers will have to prove that their products can provide a benefit to US public health next year, something that really doesn't seem plausible. This is an opportunity for the FDA to make a difference in the vaping market by denying the sale of e-cigarette products. Replacing cigarette addiction with vaping addiction is not the answer to reducing teen smoking. My proposal to the FDA and citizens is increasing the vaping age to 21. The synthetic chemicals still have not been thoroughly analyzed and tested in the long term. Until more research can be done about the harmful effects e-cigarettes have on adolescents, we need to make sure they stay out of the hand of our underdeveloped youth.

On November 4th, 2019, Claudia Chavez responded to an editorial named Personal Opinion on a Goverment article by Claudia Chavez . 

Claudia,

Healthcare is no new topic, and I know the majority of Americans can agree that an overhaul to our healthcare system is long overdue. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal of a single price healthcare system might affect middle/low-income citizens in ways we might not understand. As a concern to you and myself, the cost of healthcare is become a more significant concern the older my family becomes. With plans of children in the near future, this proposal and affects weight significantly in my decision.



One of the biggest standouts for me is the possible reduction in employer's healthcare cost for each employee. With a two percent reduction from what employers are paying now, tax revenue will increase by eight trillion. I would hope this would enable more employee’s the choice PPO plans and have more diverse healthcare options. Although the vague nature of state and local governments paying Medicaid expenses alludes me, these taxes sound like citizens will ultimately take the fall for this one. Lastly, an increase in corporate tax can cause a lot of adverse outcomes. Economic growth would reduce; wages would grow slower, which would decrease employment. With the majority of the proposed revenue coming from these three avenues, I am also skeptical as to how much taxes would increase and the quality of care.



With the election or impeachment around the corner, its time for the citizens of this beautiful nation to finally have affordable healthcare. I firmly support greater healthcare access for everyone without having to go bankrupt from surgery.

With the current political climate and the various topics associated with it, nothing interests me more than the legalization of the sweet little green leafy substance that makes you silly called Marijuana. Growing up with parents from the 60’s and 70’s, Marijuana has always been a topic in my life (I am not advocating the use). Although we're not talking about your Grandma's marijuana, the product used to be socially accepted and had many purposes. One such application was being an active ingredient in most tinctures and remedies.  Now, one might ask how a drug that is used in medicine and other pharmaceuticals found itself categorized as a Schedule 1 drug.

For us to understand how this substance became illegal, we must first look at all the events that led up to federal convictions upon possession. Although most states had laws restricting the use, marijuana became banned in 1937 under FDR’s “Marihuana Tax Act,.” Users were required to apply for a tax stamp, and in doing so, users disclosed how much marijuana they had, thereby incriminating themselves in the process. Fast forward about 30 years, the Supreme Court decides to repeal the Tax Act while simultaneously passing the Controlled Substances Act, where marijuana would remain illegal.

For the past 81 Years, the Government’s approach in containing the use and spread of marijuana has destroyed families, lives, and the social acceptance of millions. Meant initially to target Mexican immigrants, incarceration statistics are still disproportionately minorities. Violence is also often the associated temperament while under the effects of marijuana, according to the FDA. This idea has been used to mislead the public and suppress voters and people from legalizing the drug.

 

Next time you find yourself watching Pineapple Express or Reefer Madness, remember that marijuana is no laughing matter. It is time for people to stop losing everything for recreational use. If we can learn anything from history, as each state legalizes marijuana, the Government is sure to follow. Let's put our efforts together and get legislation moving!