Last week, some e-liquid manufacturers we’re faced with cease-and-desist letters from proprietary companies who seek to protect their brand names. Some brands we’re not happy to see their candy names being used on electronic cigarette flavors due it being a nicotine product, but simply put, the names used we’re infringing on copyright.
Unfortunately, some of the media has taken the story and turned it into an accusation that some flavors we’re adopting candy names to be sold or geared towards children, instead of covering the story as the legal matter that it is. The argument that e-liquid flavors are targeted to kids has been used over and over. Now that these latest copyright infringements include names like Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Tootsie Roll and Thin Mints, we witnessed media having a field day with misleading journalism once more. However the argument that the e-liquid is marketed for children just because kids like candy flavors is weak.
General Mills Inc, among many other concerned companies sent out cease-and-desist letters to the different e-liquid makers to attempt to squash the conflict without further legal action. We do not support copyright infringement and support the actions taken by any company simply protecting their brand name. It has nothing to do with marketing nicotine to children and that is the point we want to come across with.
Having a variety of flavors that do NOT taste like tobacco have been a blessing. To say that adults would not enjoy all the sweet yummy flavors over the taste of a cigarette is ridiculous. We all love to indulge in flavors and with e-cigarettes and it has been the biggest differentiator, detaching the experience from tobacco. However no accusations from any reputable source has been made that companies had been targeting sales to minors and that’s how everyone wants to keep it.
Many vapers start with tobacco flavors to ease a transition phase but the fruit, mint, chocolate, coffee and candy flavors are all very much important. Besides the taste and fun factor, they are the only alternative to tobacco flavor. With that said, there is a right way and a wrong way to do everything.
When nicotine liquid makers make such poor marketing decisions, it hurts the entire industry, encouraging attacks against the integrity of the market. As always, the parties against e-cigarettes will take every opportunity they have to bash the products and try to dirty the image of vaping and it becomes everyone’s responsibility to continue doing things right and better every day.
No one wants to see e-cigarettes in the hands of children that accusation has nothing to do the story at hand. The media also needs to take responsibility for the sensational styled journalism with lack of truthful information they put out, in attempt to sway public opinion.