Vaping is not a kid's thing

Highlights: Vaping is not a game, as much as the tobacco industry has insisted on making it seem that way, it is the gateway to tobacco consumption. 45% of adolescents between 14 and 18 years old have vaped at some time; the most worrying thing is that one in five does it daily. Vapers can be bought on many websites, vending machines, kiosks or supermarkets and for less than ten euros they promise hundreds of puffs. The World Health Organization has published a study that shows that children and adolescents who vape multiply by three the chances of smoking tobacco when they reach adulthood.

A few days ago the video of a girl, about 9 or 10 years old, celebrating her First Communion went viral on social networks. The reason for such virality was that in the...

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A few days ago the video of a girl, about 9 or 10 years old, celebrating her First Communion went viral on social networks. The reason for such virality was that in the images she appeared opening a gift box containing up to a total of twenty vapers or electronic cigarettes, to the delight of her parents, other invited children and herself.

A video that has put on the table a problem that has been on the street for some time and that especially affects children and adolescents. Vaping is not a game, as much as the tobacco industry has insisted on making it seem that way, it is the gateway to tobacco consumption.

X-ray of the situation

According to data from the Spanish Society of Family Medicine, 45% of adolescents between 14 and 18 years old have vaped at some time; But the most worrying thing is that one in five does it daily. Science tells us that if a person has never smoked before the age of 18 it is very difficult for him to end up being a smoker, the tobacco industry knows it and is willing to do anything to continue having customers.

This is how they manage to reach the youngest

To reach the young audience it is not only enough that vapers have striking colors and attractive flavors and smells. That part is fundamental, since the smell of tobacco is not pleasant and is identified with a harmful habit, but the smell of strawberry or blueberries is pleasant and gives a false sense of harmlessness. In fact, 40% of teens think they're not harmful.

The other way to reach the public between 14 and 18 years old are social networks, especially TikTok, and as there is currently no specific regulation on the advertising of these vapers in networks, manufacturers have an open field. Just look at this platform to find sweepstakes, challenges with influencers and all kinds of videos promoting their consumption.

In addition, getting them is very easy. They can be bought on many websites, vending machines, kiosks or supermarkets and for less than ten euros they promise hundreds of puffs.

The position of official bodies

The Ministry of Health prepared at the time a draft within the so-called Comprehensive Plan for the Prevention and Control of Smoking. In that document se intends to equate vapers to tobacco, something that would mean that they would be involved in a very restrictive regulatory framework especially in relation to their sale and advertising, the problem is that this document has been stopped for more than a year.

For its part, the World Health Organization has published a study that shows that children and adolescents who vape multiply by three the chances of smoking tobacco when they reach adulthood. It should be remembered that the WHO can only publish recommendations, and it is the responsibility of the state agencies of each country to restrict their sale and consumption.

What's inside a vape

A liquid composed of 70% propylene glycol and 30% vegetable glycerin. Water-soluble aromas and, optionally, nicotine are added to this mixture.

Most of these vapers or e-cigarettes are disposable. They also contain a battery and a resistor that is activated and heated with each inhalation, the liquid is vaporized and the smoker inhales it.

Health hazards

Propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are toxic substances that cause lung irritation, as well as inflammation of the tissues of the mouth. In the case of vapers with nicotine, in addition, they generate great dependence on this substance and it is not possible to detect it when we use it, to know if it contains nicotine or not we should look at the ingredients since it does not alter its taste or smell. Another important consequence of the continued use of vapers is lipoid pneumonia.

The long-term damage is unknown, since it is a fairly new product and the scientific studies we have are scarce, but despite this all warn of important health consequences.

Do they help you quit smoking?

In the beginning they were sold as the solution to quit smoking, as a healthier alternative to tobacco that made smokers disengage from this habit, but this statement has proven to be false in the vast majority of cases. The cases of tobacco users who have managed to quit smoking thanks to these vapers are anecdotal, but on the contrary they have managed to attract this habit to an audience that was totally alien.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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