Why you should stop breathing in flavored air
How does vaping work?
Vapes, or electronic cigarettes (e-cigs), contain a heating element, a small mouthpiece, and a rechargeable battery and come in the shape of everyday objects like USB flash drives and pens. E-cigs heat a liquid, usually containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, to produce a mixture of small air particles called aerosol. When exhaled into the air, aerosol can affect the health of bystanders as they breathe in, causing nicotine and other substances to enter the bloodstream through the lungs.
Why are e-cigs appealing to the youth?
Vape pens contain various flavors, including fruit, mint, and menthol, and this variety is the main reason young people are attracted to them. In 2023, the most commonly used flavors among preteens and teenagers were fruit, candy, desserts, or other sweets which provide them with a high similar to a sugar rush. Heavy advertisements on social media and the lower cost of e-cigs relative to traditional cigarettes contribute to widespread use in schools. Curiosity and peer pressure are also important factors.
Most of the e-cigs sold to children are marketed as nicotine-free, although that usually is not the case. Because of this, vaping is completely or partially banned in more than 40 countries, including Singapore and Thailand, which have some of the harshest punishments in place for violations. In many places, certain types of vapes are restricted. Australia, for example, prohibits the sale or importation of nicotine-containing e-liquid, while Canada limits the vape flavors sold. In the US, any flavor other than tobacco or menthol is banned by the FDA, and several states have since restricted the sale of flavored tobacco products.
What are the effects of e-cigs on people’s physical health?
Although vaping is considered a safer alternative to smoking and is used to help with addiction withdrawals from tobacco, it may have more serious health impacts than we think. One “JUUL”—a top-selling e-cig brand in the US—contains 20 times the amount of nicotine in traditional cigarettes. In many brands, “vape liquid” can contain nicotine, flavorings such as diacetyl (a chemical linked to serious lung disease), volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead. High levels of lead, in particular, can have irreversible effects on the adolescent brain, damaging parts of the brain that control attention span, learning, mood and impulsive decisions. Although most young adults using e-cigs are unaware of the nicotine content, a CDC study shows that 99% of vapes contain the drug, even when they are marketed as nicotine-free. When people gain a new memory or learn a new skill, synapses form between brain cells to create stronger connections in the neurons; nicotine intake, however, disrupts these natural patterns. Since the human brain continues to grow until age 25, such high levels of toxins cause permanent brain damage.
Moreover, nicotine in e-liquid causes the body to release adrenaline, a hormone that raises blood pressure and quickens the pulse and breathing rate. This may increase the chances of heart attack and heightened alertness or coughing. As harmful substances enter the lungs, constant irritation can lead to scarring and health problems like asthma and COPD. While switching from smoking to vaping significantly reduces exposure to cancer-causing elements, the use of e-cigs can bridge a pipeline to dependency on heavier drugs (i.e. cocaine), especially for young people.
How do e-cigs impact youth mental health?
Evidence links youth e-cigs use to disproportionate rates of depression and anxiety and nicotine dependency to stress. When the body and brain become used to nicotine, stopping vaping leads to withdrawal and temporary symptoms like irritability, restlessness, sleep problems, and difficulty concentrating. The effects of quitting vaping on mental health are still being studied, but it is generally believed that doing so improves people’s mood and quality of life.
The Solution
Combating youth vaping requires a collaborative effort that combines education, policy changes, and community involvement. As parents, engage in open conversations with your children about smoking and tobacco use. As students, attend workshops and spread media discouraging the use of vapes, creating a positive peer influence on others around you. A comprehensive and multi-faceted approach can create a healthy environment that addresses the issue of vaping.