Don't Highlight That
As if Roblox’s alleged kid casino wasn’t enough for parents to worry about, the FDA recently issued a warning to several retailers to stop selling unauthorized vapes that resemble school supplies like highlighters, cartoon characters, and other items designed to appeal to kids and evade detection from parents.
While the FDA moves to ban menthol-flavored cigarettes to curb underage smoking, vapes are available in flavors ranging from cotton candy to gummy bears. Sadly, tactics like these are working. According to a 2022 CDC report, more than 10 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
Marketing like this is unfortunately part of the older tobacco playbook. Figures like Joe Camel and cigarette ad placements in shows like the Flintstones were used to sell directly to children and teens.
Hopefully, the FDA crackdown causes this kind of marketing go up in smoke.