The New York Times Presents Season 1 Episode 8 Move Fast and Vape Things

The New York Times Presents season 1 episode 8 is titled "Move Fast and Vape Things." This episode highlights the rise of Juul, a vaping company that claimed to be a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes. The episode starts with the introduction of two high school students, Ruby Johnson and Alex Salgado, who were the first plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Juul. Both of them started vaping as freshmen and were soon addicted to it. They suffered from severe lung injuries due to vaping and had to undergo multiple surgeries.

The episode then goes on to explore the history of Juul and its founders, Adam Bowen and James Monsees. They met at Stanford while studying design and entrepreneurship. They both smoked cigarettes and wanted to create a product that could help them quit smoking. They came up with the idea of making a vaping device that was small, sleek, and easy to use. They started Juul in 2015 and launched their product the following year.

Juul's marketing strategy was unique and targeted young people. They used social media influencers to promote their product, and their advertising contained bright colors and catchy slogans. They claimed that their product was a healthy alternative to smoking and even had flavors like mango and mint that appealed to younger users. The episode also discusses how Juul downplayed the nicotine content in their products, which is highly addictive.

The episode then shifts its focus on the government's response to the vaping epidemic. It highlights how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) failed to regulate the vaping industry, which led to an increase in teenage vaping. However, in 2018, the FDA imposed new regulations on the sale and distribution of flavored e-cigarettes. Juul was one of the companies that came under scrutiny, and in 2019, the company stopped selling flavored e-cigarettes in the US.

The episode also examines the impact of Juul on society. It highlights how schools across America have had to deal with an increase in teenage vaping. The episode follows the story of a principal in Long Island, who was forced to close her school's bathrooms during lunchtime because students were vaping in them. The episode also shows how parents and teachers have tried to educate teenagers about the dangers of vaping.

The episode concludes with an update on Alex Salgado and Ruby Johnson's lawsuit against Juul. Their case is currently pending, and they hope to hold Juul accountable for the damage caused to their health. The episode ends with a warning about the dangers of vaping and how it has become a public health crisis.

In conclusion, The New York Times Presents season 1 episode 8 "Move Fast and Vape Things" does an excellent job of highlighting the rise of Juul and the impact it has had on society. The episode showcases how companies like Juul can use social media to target young people and how the lack of government regulation can lead to a public health crisis. The episode serves as a warning to parents, teachers, and teenagers about the dangers of vaping and highlights the importance of educating young people about the risks of using e-cigarettes.