By: Maria Eduarda Marques, Murilo Molon and Julia Osorio
Electronic cigarettes were originally invented in 1963, by Herbert A. Gilbert, a scientist who was well aware of the effects and consequences of smoking tobacco. At the time the invention was not well known and was later on recreated, with some variation due to decade’s technology by a Chinese pharmacist, Hon Lic, in 2003. His intention was to create a cigarette alternative for the harmfully addicting conventional. Hon Lic’s motivation for his invention was China being one of the largest producers of tobacco and having one of the largest rates of smoking-related deaths.
Although electronic cigarettes can be a good alternative for smoke addicts, teens are blinded by the idea that it is a healthy smoking experience, ignoring the harmful, poisonous substances.
In 2019, studies have shown that more than double the amount of people died in China from cigarettes, in comparison to the United States. Nowadays, electronic cigarettes, now known as vapes, have varied in purpose, going from a solution to many deaths, to a drug of its own. It has not only become an addicting poison, but it has also changed its targets. E-cigarettes are now commonly used by teenagers under the age of 18 and college students. Although electronic cigarettes can be a good alternative for smoke addicts, teens are blinded by the idea that it is a healthy smoking experience, ignoring the harmful, poisonous substances. Due to pressure, mainly from friends, as well as enjoyable flavours, teens are being attracted to this addictive habit, unaware of the consequences led by it.
For a couple of years now, underage vaping has become the most used nicotine-based substance used by students in middle and high school, according to the CDP (Center of Diseases and Preventions) . Recently, they partnered up with the Food and Drug Administration to conduct research regarding students’ use of e-cigarettes. They reached the conclusion that 37% were influenced by family and friends, 31% due to the availability of flavors, and 17% due to the belief that it is less harmful than the typical cigarettes. Teens believe that in order to be liked or regarded by others of their age and or social group, they must do the same things, also known as peer pressure. During teenage years friends tend to have a greater influence on one another than their parents, thus peer pressure is the reason for which most teens start using and consuming adult-targeted products. The second reason is that many underage users are led to the availability of amusing flavors. Many companies use these flavors as a marketing strategy in order to promote their product with a positive feeling. Together with the use of electronic cigarettes, users also invest in “juices” which are essences containing different flavors, smells, and percentages of nicotine. Last but not least many are also led to this drug due to the common idea that e-cigarettes are a non-harmful device. Electronic cigarettes heat up nicotine, extracted from tobacco, and according to Michael Joseph Blaha, Director of Clinical Researcher for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease (hopkinsmedicine.org ), there has been “an outbreak of lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping”. Electronic cigarettes might seem like a healthy smoking habit since it is commonly compared to regular smoking, however, it is still proven to be harmful.
Nicotine, a highly addictive substance, is found in many different types of cigarettes, including e-cigarettes. In fact, the e-cigarettes are the ones that contain the most nicotine, containing around the same amount of a whole packet of cigarettes. This high exposure to nicotine may have subtle consequences, however, in most cases, the exposure to this chemical has highly noticeable dangerous effects on the human body. Teenagers are the ones that suffer the most with nicotine since up to the age of 20, teens are still learning and having brain development. Chemicals in these electronic cigarettes, mainly nicotine, slows down the natural development of the human brain, causing these teens to have flawed learning skills, memory skills, and lack of attention. Besides affecting their current and future academic performances, the frequent use of these smoking devices, influence future use of more intense drugs, creating a future drug addiction. A recent outbreak of deaths and lung diseases caused by vaping in the United States demonstrates how electronic cigarettes are very harmful if not fatal to humans.
Chemicals in these electronic cigarettes, mainly nicotine, slows down the natural development of the human brain, causing these teens to have flawed learning skills, memory skills, and lack of attention.
Vapes are promoted as “healthy” smoking, however many may not realize that although electronic cigarettes are better than regular cigarettes, it is still extremely harmful. These smoking devices contain seven thousand different chemicals, of which more than half are harmful to human health. Despite being a good alternative for cigarettes, teens are blinded by the idea that e-cigarettes is some sort of a healthy smoking experience, disregarding the poisonous substances containing in them. Due to pressure from family members and friends, as well as enjoyable flavors, teens are being attracted to this addictive habit, unaware of the consequences led by it. Knowing about the different risks led by the unnecessary exposure of teenagers to electronic cigarettes, know that every action has a reaction.
Interview with student who had already vaped.
This interview was conducted with various college students in Campinas. It is meant give a platform to those who have experienced vaping before.
- When/how was your first time vaping? What/who motivated you to vape?
I was 15 years old when I was first vaped. I was motivated by my friends who offered me the vape.
- After your first experience, did it satisfy your needs or were you left more curious/wanting to try it out more?
The way the drug worked left me calm and relaxed, which further fueled my curiosity into experimenting more of it.
- After your first experience, did you partake in the act of vaping any further? If yes, what was your reasoning?
Yes, I continued using it as, for the same reasons above, it left me relaxed and calm.
- Did/do you know all the risks and health issues which could result from the use of this substance?
Yes I am aware but I personally don’t believe the risks affected me in such a harmful way.
- Do you currently regret having tried it? If only once, do you think I would use it again?
I don’t regret it but I think I intend to stop in the future, because it’s not a habit I want to take into my life.
- Have you ever had problems with this substance(s)? If yes, has this problem influenced you in any way?
I had it once and it was horrible. It was a respiratory problem that passed quickly but was traumatic. After that experience, I considered stopping for good.
- How was it? What motivated you to use it?
My first experience with the use of this substance was when I was 15 at a party and what motivated me was the influence of my friends. It wasn’t too bad, but I saw that it wouldn’t be worth it.
- After your first experience, did it spark more interest or satisfy your curiosity?
After the first experience I had, it didn’t arouse any interest in me and because of that I didn’t feel like trying anything like that anymore.
- After the first experience, did you continue to use this substance/drugs? If yes, was the reason the same?
On the contrary, I stopped using it because I was sure it wouldn’t work for me. I found it useless and unnecessary.
- Were you aware of all the risks and consequences that come with using this substance?
For exactly this reason I stopped using any similar substance, I knew about all the diseases and harm it brings, because of that I decided it’s not worth it.
- Do you currently regret having tried it? If only once, do you think I would use it again?
I don’t regret having tried it since it cleared my curiosity, but I think the little I used doesn’t influence me to continue.
- Have you ever had problems with this substance(s)? If yes, has this problem influenced you in any way?
I’ve never had any problems with this substance, but I’m sure people who use it frequently will have complications in the future.
- How was your first time? What motivated you to use it?
My first experience was with my brother when we were at home and what motivated me to use it was him.
12. After your first experience, did it spark more interest or satisfy your curiosity?
After the first experience I continued using it, to a point that I used it every day. Curiosity was cured only after I put an end to it all.
13. After the first experience, did you continue to use this substance/drugs? If yes, was the reason the same?
I did continue the use of this substance as it was convenient for me at the time I was living.
- Were you aware of all the risks and consequences that come with using this substance?
In fact, at first I thought it was harmless, but after I started studying and reading articles a
bout vaping and vaping in general, I saw that it just feels nicer and healthier than smoking.
- Do you currently regret having tried it? If only once, do you think I would use it again?
After I took a break from using it, I regretted having continued using it because I spent a lot of money and I am aware of having harmed my health.
- Have you ever had problems with this substance(s)? If yes, did this problem influence any decision or attitude?
The biggest problem I’ve ever had because of this substance was not being willing to run or do physical activities. I stopped with the sports I did because I couldn’t take it anymore and that after some time, “weighed in my mind”.
Sources:
https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/oiiii m
3-main-reasons-youth-use-e-cigarettes
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/michael-blaha
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/
EAC PRESS 