The Truth and Consequences of Vaping

Vaping has quickly become one of the most popular, yet dangerous, alternatives to smoking.

The health consequences of vaping are dire.

Children's Wisconsin

The health consequences of vaping are dire.

Jameson Kowalski, Columnist

Vaping has become a new way for people to get nicotine without the threats that come from lung cancer. When you investigate past the lucrative advertisements, however, you realize that vaping is just as bad as smoking. The vaping companies are also aiming their advertising towards teenagers and younger people. Many people ignore the dangerous side effects and continue to vape, rapidly ruining their lives.

Vaping companies are purposely pushing their advertising efforts to children. A BBC article states that e-cigarette companies target teenagers by using bright and colorful packaging, intriguing names, and appealing flavors. About 61 percent of middle and high school students who say they have vaped got the vape from a friend or peer. This is likely why 2.5 million middle and high school students have admitted to vaping. U.S. News reported that 85 percent of vapes used by teens were flavored, and that 27.6 percent of teen vapers did so every day, with a further 42.3 percent doing so every few days. Due to the large increase of nicotine that these teens are taking in, it is more likely that they get addicted to drugs at a young age.  This greatly increases the chance of these people dying at a young age.

The side effects of vaping are even worse. Alongside having the chance of getting addicted to drugs, there is also evidence that points to brain damage and lung issues. According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to nicotine at a young age can harm the developing brain, causing memory loss, impacting the learning process, and causing short term memory loss. Vaping also causes people who already vape, and the people around them, to inhale heavy metals like nickel, tin, and lead. Other substances include volatile organic compounds, ultrafine particles that damage the lungs, and diacetyl, a harmful flavorant.

Luckily, some cities and counties are attempting to ban flavored vapes, alongside vapes all together. The city of Tempe has announced their attempt to get rid of flavored vapes in the city, along with spreading the idea with other cities around them. Multnomah County in Oregon has entirely banned vapes and flavored tobacco products. The county, which includes the large city of Portland, made a unanimous decision to ban the products. On the surface, vaping seems like a safer alternative to smoking, but they instead cause addiction and disease.