Vaping
What is this and what are the dangers?
What is vaping?
Vaping is the inhaling of a vapor created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette). It’s common among teens.
“In 2022, 7.0% of 11-17 year olds were current users of vapes, compared to 3.3% in 2021”*
Statistically, this means that 2 people in every school class are users of vapes and endangering their long-term health and wellbeing.
Use-of-e-cigarettes-among-young-people-in-Great-Britain-2022.pdf (ash.org.uk)
How does vaping work?
E-cigarettes (or “vape pens”) heat a liquid until it becomes a vapor, which is inhaled. The liquid (called e-liquid or “vape juice”) can contain nicotine or marijuana distillate or oil. E-cigarettes can be refillable or pre-filled with cartridges containing the e-liquid. The pre-filled e-cigarettes (called “Puff Bars”) are designed for one-time use. After taking a certain number of “puffs,” the user throws the device away.
BBC Panorama episode about the harm of vaping
What Are the Health Risks of Vaping?
The health risks of vaping include:
addiction: E-cigarettes contain nicotine, a drug that’s highly addictive. You don’t have to vape every day to get addicted.
anxiety and depression: Nicotine makes anxiety and depression worse. It also affects memory, concentration, self-control, and attention, especially in developing brains.
becoming a smoker: Young people who vape are more likely to start smoking regular (tobacco) cigarettes and may be more likely to develop other addictions in the future.
impotence: There is some evidence that vaping can cause sexual dysfunction in men.
sleep problems
exposure to cancer-causing chemicals
chronic bronchitis
lung damage that can be life-threatening
Other health effects are possible that we don’t yet know about. Vaping hasn’t been around that long, so its health risks aren’t all known.
Manufacturers are making it increasingly more appealing for young people and much easier to hide what they are doing.
