Backfired: The Vaping Wars

by Leon Neyfakh (Narrator), Arielle Pardes (Narrator)

When two Stanford graduate students set out to create a new kind of cigarette that wouldn’t kill them, they didn’t foresee all the obstacles that lay ahead — or the powerful forces their invention would unleash. Nearly 10 years after the launch of the JUUL, Backfired: The Vaping Wars asks: Could e-cigarettes have been the solution to one of the world’s most pressing public health problems—or was this technology doomed to introduce a whole new generation to nicotine, and end up perpetuating an intractable addiction?

Backfired is the latest podcast from Prologue Projects, the award-winning team behind Slow Burn, Fiasco, and Think Twice: Michael Jackson. Backfired is a show about the business of unintended consequences—what happens when solving one problem inadvertently leads to a host of new ones?

In this tale of opportunity, addiction, and good intentions gone awry, hosts Leon Neyfakh and Arielle Pardes offer a definitive account of Juul Labs’ rise and fall, as well as the ubiquitous illegal vape market that sprouted up in its wake. Through dozens of original interviews, they gain access to the key players who got swept up—sometimes unwittingly—in the firestorm that reshaped the culture of nicotine.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Politics

Audible Audio

Published June 20, 2024

Reviews

[Michelle N · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this podcast series was very enlightening... I thought it was an interesting review of the origins of e-cigarettes and a balanced explanation of the negatives and positives of vaping.
Highly recommended it.

[Rama · Rating 4 out of 5]

This podcast offers a fairly well-rounded perspective on the vaping landscape and its history. The importance of regulatory bodies is well highlighted. The 'epidemic' of teen vaping addiction, despite the efforts of agencies, shows how problematic the bad actors in society are who act without an iota of conscience for their actions. The problem wouldn't be as bad if all actors involved in capitalism (from companies to retailers) resisted the temptation of an extra buck that could jeopardize public health, especially that of children. As James Monsees notes in the exit interview, it is perhaps the worst reflection of American capitalism.

While the physical health aspects have been discussed, the effect of nicotine addiction on the mental health of teens and adults has not been given enough attention. It is particularly more important given Leon ended the podcast with an optimistic note on the role of vaping in helping people move away from their cigarette addiction.

The way the podcast is concluded is of great importance, in my opinion. In the book "Thinking, Fast and Slow," Kahneman discusses the "remembering self" and explains that we are more influenced by the peak and end points, often overlooking the duration of the experience. I am not sure if this is a correct extrapolation, but IMO, a conclusion of teens grappling with their nicotine addiction would give a very different flavour to the podcast than the POV of vaping helping adult smokers.

[Alex Shrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reasonable account of the rise and fall of JUUL, the e-cigarette company.

The publisher's description is good. I can't add to it.

I will say that it sounded at first like this was going to be a slanted report, but they managed to stay balanced. They carefully made a distinction between the facts and their own opinions and fears. They mostly interviewed the people who were actually involved in getting JUUL off the ground and making the e-cigarette popular.

FYI, a number of people I know use them. I have no strong opinion on the subject per se. I don't smoke. I don't vape. E-cigarettes seem better than regular cigarettes... but whether they are actually harmless seems like too much to ask of any product. Just about anything out there that advertises to help you has a mile of disclaimers telling you their "helpful" product might cause you to drop dead or axe murder your family at any minute. Why should JUUL be treated any differently?

I would be glad to listen to this audiobook again and I am now interested in more from this author.

[Byron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became aware that I didn't know anything about Vaping; so I found this book, or collection of podcasts, and started listening. Learned a lot, and would highly recommend it. I had no idea.

There is a really interesting discussion of President Trump getting involved in the vaping crisis during his first term - he tried to solve the problems by getting everyone in a room at the White House for a day, and apparently coming to the table with a half-assed idea about the problem was thinking he could solve it in a day. I thought it was interesting to hear him on the campaign trail in 2024 saying "I solved the Vaping crisis once, I'll solve it again." Oh well.

[elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on audible. Gave an amazing insight into the the start of Vape pens, through all the lawsuits and legal changes up to now. Who knew this had such a complicated background, or even how the vape pen works. We have used the term vaping for so many years I even forgot that these were called e-cigarettes at one point.
If you are interested in the history of this, I would recommend this investigative podcast.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a pretty clear idea of how I felt on the topic before reading but was surprised at how well negatives and positives of e cigs were presented, and it changed my mind a bit on them. Overall just fantastic journalism and by having two hosts with slightly differing opinions it felt like I was getting as unbiased of a view on the topic as possible.

[Chelsie Hermsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

[Hung · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent in-depth look at the history of vape. Entertaining, insightful, the kind of journalism we need.

[Jessica-sim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting insight into both the world of the vaping industry and the nicotine struggles of individuals

[Danii Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely informative and well performed.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it's subtly pro vaping. It does critique it, but it really buys into the idea that flavoured vapes arent targeted at children.

[Camilo Recabal · Rating 3 out of 5]

No sabía nada de vapes y pensaba que eran super dañinos.. Este audiolibro me dio una mejor perspectiva general.

[Ashley M Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty interesting how no one gives a fuuuuuuuu about the FDA and how they gonna ban it but not want to regulate it. Very interesting.

[Siobhan Leahy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Be good if a part 2 was done, say in 18 months, after the UK ban on disposal vapes hits this june, and more research into the health issues caused by vaping is completed.

[Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fascinating history of vaping! The narrators were pleasant to listen to and cared deeply about this controversial topic. The title of the podcast, Backfire, is aptly named, as vaping has improved the lung health of many cigarette smokers while simultaneously getting numerous kids hooked on nicotine.

I cannot help but think that it is the responsibility of parents to educate their kids about the risks associated with vaping. Furthermore, the Juul company and its adult customers may have been unfairly punished as a consequence of the prohibition of e-cigarettes aimed at protecting kids.