Open Letter to Freshmen: From a Juul Survivor, Save Yourself Before It’s Too Late

Fish,

I write this to you with a heavy heart, and, more specifically, heavy lungs. 

Like you, I was once an impressionable young freshman. I watched my Fish Camp counselors rip fat clouds, and I envied their seamless avoidance of common physical health reactions. It was so edgy. 

With an obsessive desire to be included, I began inhaling in short spurts to seem cool. Before long, I was one in the crowd, blowing “O’s” and slowly but surely increasing in social status. I would take bathroom breaks between classes and get so buzzed in the stall that I had to grip the door to stay upright. I was changing pods daily and was on a first-name basis with the counter guy at Tooter’s. I had everything I ever wanted — I was living on vape cloud nine. 

That was then… and this is now. 

As a junior, two years has given me the time to become an expert on the subject, an expert who demands my opinion be heard. 

Take a glimpse into the life of a Juul Survivor…

I went to the Rec just last week and couldn’t make it more than two laps around the track without heavy breathing. I never could do that anyway, but it sure isn’t happening now. I also get these minor headaches a couple of times a week, usually after not getting enough sleep, but I’m pretty sure it’s because my body is craving nicotine. The life of a recovering addict like myself is brave and challenging, but it’s not easy. 

Juuling has completely altered my life, and I don’t want the same to happen to you. Hopefully my raw, unapologetic testimony will resonate with you. Dozens of months ago, I was ignorant just like you. But now I am a proud survivor of Juuling and an anti-vaping advocate. 

My chances of facing health issues have slightly and irreversibly grown. Save yourself before it’s too late.  

 

—Maroon Gloat