YOUNG & DUMB WITH 70-YEAR-OLD LUNGS 1

Young & Dumb with 70-Year-Old Lungs

Emerald Waters

10/13/19

State College of Florida: Bradenton Campus

Author Note

This paper was prepared for Written Communications I (ENC 1101), taught by Professor
Bojanowski.
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Young & Dumb with 70-Year-Old Lungs

Vapes are a convenient and cost-efficient invention for smokers. Nonetheless, even

though they are cheaper than cigarettes, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are healthier for

one to ingest. The permanent effects vaping has on a person’s lungs is awful and there has been a

recent outbreak of issues occurring related to vaping. An unknown lung disease caused by

vaping leaves 530 people sick, and 9 dead. (LaVito, 2019) It is complicated to determine if

whether the chemicals, THC, or nicotine have a worse effect on the lungs. “The CDC has more

than 100 people working on the investigation, which is complicated by the variety of products

and chemicals used in vaping as well as the mix of nicotine and THC, the ingredient in marijuana

that produces a high, that’s been found in patients who’ve fallen ill, Schuchat said.” (Lavito,

2019) This occurrence has been reported in international and national news sources.

Consumer News and Business Channel (2019) is a daily, international, television news

show with an online compliment. They report a wide range of national and international stories

for everyone in general. National Public Radio (2019) is a daily, national radio show with an

online compliment. They report a wide range of national and international stories for particularly

the college-educated.

Technology and electronics as of 2019 are much loved: such as cell-phones, tablets,

laptops, smartwatches, Bluetooth, wireless headphones. There are now electronic cigarettes and

vapes. Everyone loves their electronics, but unfortunately, there is one with no mutual feelings

and fails to love anyone back. Vapes are proven to be unhealthy for one to consume. One would

expect that a popular news source would have better coverage on a health-related news story

rather than a smaller one. However, when looking at a side-by-side comparison on coverage of

vaping illnesses, statements given by doctors such as pulmonologists and victims of this illness,
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and the ability to remain neutral, which source is more effective, National Public

Radio or Consumer News and Business Channel?

The news article must go into depth about what the vapes outcome does to one’s

respiratory system and what the vapes consist of that are destroying the lungs. National Public

Radio and Consumer News and Business Channel both provide background information on the

unexplained illness due to vaping that’s causing severe damage to mostly the younger

generation. Both articles did an excellent job explaining the effect vaping is having on the body,

the components in a vape, and the risks of developing a variety of lung disorders further in life.

The article that gives a list of more effects vape has on the body was better in the Consumer

News and Business Channel article. The reader can understand the concern of Dr. Anne

Schuchat. The CDC activating its Emergency Operations Center to investigate the components

of a vape to help understand the extent of the damage done to a person’s respiratory system was

better in the National Public Radio article. The effect vaping has on the lungs is clear in both

articles, but the details of the National Public Radio article make it the better source. “Fox says it

is not clear which substances or compounds in the vaping products are leading to harm. But

"when these substances enter the lungs, it can cause a profound inflammatory reaction — that

makes people really sick," Fox says.” (Aubrey, 2019) National Public Radio seems to have

secured better statements from a few doctors, a patient, and staff of the CDC and FDA. They

give good insights from the patient and doctors’ points of view. National Public Radio had two

pulmonologists give statements, one from a hospital and the other from a medical center.

Although CNBC includes a credible source, they have limited background information, making

their credibility less than that of NPR.

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Furthermore, when comparing both articles, it is essential to know the facts on what this

small 3-inch device (LaVito, 2019) contains to cause this irreversible damage, and also the

respiratory disorders and diseases that partake in these permanent effects it will have on the

body. In the Consumer News and Business Channel article, Dr. Anne Schuchat explains to be

cautious with vapes’ contents in general. Dr. Anne Schuchat states “At this point I think caution

in all products is recommended. It may not even be the THC or the nicotine. It may be the

additives or substances that may be common. It may be the material is not labeled

appropriately,” (Schuchat, 2019) The “additives or substances” shows that it is still unknown

what is all contained into a vape, it is not listed specifically in the ingredients. By having not

only a Doctor but also a Director in the CDC including her input, the source creates credibility.

Only once were the effects of vaping has on the body was mentioned but never went into detail

about it. “She said doctors believe the salts allow nicotine to “cross the blood brain barrier and

lead to potentially more effect on the developing brain in adolescents.” (LaVito, 2019) In

contrast, the National Public Radio provides several sources to support the article, statements

come from five different people. Statements come from a Doctor and Director from the CDC, an

FDA employee, a pulmonologist from a hospital, a pediatric pulmonologist from a medical

center, and a hospitalized patient due to vaping. Having numerous statements given from

different Doctors, an employee from the FDA, and also a patient is a very efficient way to get the

idea across of how serious this issue is from several points of views. According to the article, an

18-year-old patient suffering from the outbreak of serious illnesses (Aubrey, 2019) vaping is

causing him to have long-term pulmonary damage. The patient states “It's "terrifying to think

about," Hergenreder told NPR. He was vaping THC but says he did not know it could be

dangerous. He says he's feeling better since his hospitalization, but he still gets winded going up
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stairs.” (Aubrey, 2019) Hergenreder still getting winded after going up stairs even after being

released from hospitalization is evidently an issue, it makes one wonder what substances are in a

vape that is causing this. “Fox says it is not clear which substances or compounds in the vaping

products are leading to harm. But "when these substances enter the lungs, it can cause a profound

inflammatory reaction — that makes people really sick," Fox says.” (Aubrey, 2019) It depends

on what a patient vapes and how often the risk raises in developing a lung condition later on in

life. The components of vaping cartridges are still being looked into but there are different types

of oils that consist of them. “Many of the patients were diagnosed with lipoid pneumonia, which

means that "oils or fats have entered the lung that should not be there," Fox explains.” (Aubrey,

2019) These statements made within the article that contribute to figuring out this issue from

National Public Radio is superior in creating credibility.

Likewise, with a story somewhat sensitive relating to young and healthy people, one

would expect a level of bias. There is an emotional implication in both articles. Consumer News

and Business Channel discuss the effects a vape has on a developing young brain. “Those effects

include difficulty with memory, learning and attention, she said. Nicotine addiction can also

prime the body to become addicted to other substances, which is “of particular concern,” she

said.” (LaVito, 2019) Mentioning difficulty with learning and attention along with possibly being

addicted to other substances in the future as a result of vaping is unfortunate. With adolescents

still growing and evolving, the tone is acceptable. Meanwhile, National Public Radio is similarly

promising. “Though it may sound scary to hear that an 18-year-old patient has been told he has

the lungs of a 70-year-old, this may not mean very much, Schroeder says."I mean, there's very

healthy 70-year-olds out there," he says. "Do you have the lungs of a 70-year-old smoker or the

lungs of a 70-year-old athlete?"” (Aubrey, 2019) Comparing a young 18-year-old person’s lungs
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to a 70-year-old is significant. However, an 18-year-old having identical lungs to a 70-year-old

smokers’ lung is fairly upsetting. Again, the tone is appropriate in understanding the concern.

Both articles include an emotional and concerning tone that properly addresses the subject of

illnesses caused by vaping.

Conclusively, after reviewing both articles LaVito and Aubrey both are adequate are

reporting the outbreak of vaping illnesses. However, due to the appeal of ethos, the National

Public Radio stands as a better source for reporting the vaping illnesses that are arising for one

that is interested in today’s medical concerns.

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References

-Aubrey, A. (Writer). (2019, September 19). As vaping illnesses rise, doctors warn of possible

‘irreversible damage’ to the lungs. Retrieved from National Public

Radio, https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/09/19/762306652/as-vaping-

illnesses-rise-doctors-warn-of-possible-irreversible-damage-to-lungs

-Lavito, A. (Writer). (2019, September 24). ‘Hundreds’ of new vaping illnesses have been

reported in the last week, CDC says. Retrieved from Consumer News and Business

Channel, https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/24/hundreds-of-new-vaping-illnesses-have-

been-reported-in-the-last-week-cdc-says.html