We see it everywhere: at school, at concerts, even the person in the car next to you—people everywhere are vaping. It’s safe to say that e-cigarette use is one of the most popular trends among youths today. Despite vaporized products being a so-called “safer option than smoking,” vaping is detrimental at any age, especially in teenagers.

Studies in recent years have proved that ingredients in e-liquid are incredibly toxic. E-liquid ingredients include propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which are extremely poisonous when inhaled. Besides these ingredients, scientists tested over one hundred flavors on the e-liquid market. The highest toxicity levels came from vanillin and cinnamaldehyde, two of the most widely used compounds used in flavoring. Scientists have proven that doses of these compounds reduce production of fast-growing human cells, which is detrimental to teenagers’ developing brains and bodies.

One of the biggest concerns regarding e-cigarette use is the presence of nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, and once someone is dependent on it, it is extremely hard to stop using it. Studies support that long-term users of these products are exposed to as much nicotine as individuals who smoke regular cigarettes. Exposure to dangerous compounds and nicotine could likely result in permanent damage to one’s brain chemistry, which can disrupt learning and attention and make one more vulnerable to other addictions in the future. People who have vaped are also more likely to experience coughs, fevers and shortness of breath due to damage of cilia in the lungs.

All of those factors are especially concerning for those under 25 years old, as the brain is still developing; however, recent studies have shown that up to 25 percent of high schoolers use e-cigarettes on a regular basis, much higher than only 15 percent of adults. Why are these numbers so different?

Tobacco companies know that youths are extremely receptive to tactful marketing, and they use this to their advantage. They claim they have stopped purposefully marketing towards youths, but companies continue to advertise in ways that attract them.

“Tobacco companies continue to advertise heavily at retail outlets near schools and playgrounds, with large ads and signs clearly visible from outside the stores,” a government report regarding tobacco sales said.

Along with this, factors such as peer pressure, availability and lack of risk factor knowledge cause the disparity in rates between teenagers and adults.

It is important to be educated about the health factors concerning vaping. While this habit is very normalized nowadays, the truth is that it is extremely damaging to the human body. What seems like a fun and risk-free activity today could result in complications now or later in life. Vaping, while detrimental at any age, is especially taxing on developing youths’ bodies.

Sources:

https://www.ndhealth.gov/tobacco/OrderForm/ECigPalmCard.pdf

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-e-cigarette-ingredients-surprisingly-toxic.html

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-q-and-a-vaping-health-risks-for-teens/