Eva Guo (10) | STAFF REPORTER
Vapes, devices originally used to help smokers quit their addictions, have become a major concern, especially regarding youth. Contrary to the name, vapes don’t just have water vapor mist but contain many addictive substances as well as toxic metals that have been shown to stunt brain development. Evidently, this makes vaping incredibly harmful, especially to younger people. But what makes it such an extensive problem, and how can it be solved?
There are many reasons why vaping is such a widespread issue, one of them being its marketing. Vapes’ colourful packaging and variety of flavours make them look enticing to impressionable youth. This appeal also gives off the dangerous impression that vaping is cool and trendy.
Furthermore, vapes are advertised to be safer than cigarettes when that is not the case, giving youth who do not know any better a false sense of security. Additionally, this false perception of vaping arguably makes it even more dangerous than cigarettes. At least with cigarettes, people are fully aware of the dangers and will thus avoid smoking.
Other than the trendy marketing and false advertising, studies show that, similar to drug abuse, young people use vapes as a coping mechanism for stress. However, this creates a vicious, inescapable cycle. The nicotine contained in vapes has been discovered to create mental health issues by disrupting part of the brain, particularly the part that controls one’s mood, worsening symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety.
The most common reason why youth, especially students, try vaping is because of social influences such as peer pressure. An American vaping survey found that approximately 32% of students claim to vape to fit in with their peers. Many students also report that they picked up vaping because they developed a curiosity from seeing their friends use one.
There are many solutions to prevent vaping amongst youth. One of these is raising vape prices. This solution may seem naive, but most teenagers do not have an abundance of money and will often be deterred by high prices. It is important to keep in mind that one of the prominent reasons for vaping is its affordability.
Parents, guardians, educators, and school administration must also take responsibility to protect their youth. This includes informing young and impressionable children about the dangers of vaping, preparing them for situations where they might be offered a vape, and setting a good example by being nicotine free. Additionally, those struggling with an addiction must be provided with sufficient resources and support to help them quit.
Vaping is undeniably a significant modern day issue, especially amongst the younger population. However, by tackling the root causes of vaping, raising awareness of its harmful nature, and providing abundant support to counter addiction, young people can be protected from falling victim to the dangers of vaping.
