In a plot twist that would make even the most creative game developer do a double-take, California lawmakers are drafting legislation to ban video games on vaping devices. Yes, you read that correctly – apparently someone looked at the already questionable practice of inhaling flavored vapor and thought, “You know what this needs? Tetris.”
The proposed bill targets the latest innovation in making nicotine addiction more entertaining: vape pens equipped with tiny screens and gaming capabilities. Because nothing says “responsible adult decision-making” like trying to beat your high score while simultaneously feeding your lung habit.
These gaming vapes have been popping up in the market like mushrooms after rain, featuring everything from simple puzzle games to more elaborate entertainment options. It’s as if someone took a Game Boy, crossed it with a cigarette, and decided this unholy union was exactly what society needed.
California legislators, clearly having their priorities straight in a state dealing with housing crises and wildfires, have identified this particular fusion of vice and virtual reality as their next target. The concern, predictably, is that adding gaming elements makes vaping more appealing to younger users – because apparently regular vaping wasn’t quite enticing enough on its own.
One has to admire the entrepreneurial spirit of whoever first thought, “What if people could damage their lungs AND their posture simultaneously?” It’s the kind of multitasking efficiency that would make any productivity guru weep with pride, if not for the whole public health concern thing.
The bill represents California’s ongoing effort to stay ahead of creative ways people find to combine potentially harmful activities with entertainment, proving once again that reality continues to outpace satire at an alarming rate.
Original story via Reddit Not The Onion