Vaping Surges
In a recent study, it has been found that more and more children are taking up vaping. The number of disposable vapes sold is on the rise, and they come in various fruity flavors, including apple pie or blueberry lemonade, which may appeal to young users that eager for enjoyment.
According to a recent data survey by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have been influencing the adoption of e-cigarettes. Even though the use of e-cigarettes has significantly increased, 84% of children aged from 11 to 17 have never used e-cigarettes. In fact, a vast majority of users are smokers and previous smokers.
And while that remains the status quo, we cannot underlook that vaping among kids has gone up among kids. For instance, data shows that vaping among those aged from 11 to 17 went up from 4% in 2020 to 7% in 2022. Also, the percentage of kids who have tried vaping has gone by 2%, from 14% in 2020 to 16% in 2022.
Evidently, a huge number of underage kids are using e-cigarettes, and according to the survey, 56% of the kids are aware of e-cigarette adverts on Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Also, according to the report, a significant number of teenagers buy e-cigarettes from shops, while 10% buy them from online stores. Elf Bar and Geek Bar have been identified as the most popular brands.
As the popularity of vaping continues to grow among teenagers, so does the concern from parents about what their children are up to after school.
Balvinder Sohal from Huddersfield, who has an 11-year-old son, said: “I constantly worry about what he’s up to with his friends after school. I try not to be too invasive as I don’t want to push my son away, but it’s hard because I want to know what he’s doing and who he’s hanging around with.”
Since starting secondary school, Sohal’s son has taken up new hobbies, like riding his bike and spending time at the park with friends.
“I worry about what he’s surrounding himself with and what might be influencing him,” Sohal said. “I think there definitely needs to be stricter rules surrounding vapes and e-cigarettes. I think schools should perhaps teach kids as well that they can be addictive and meant for people who are trying to stop smoking. They’re not cool and the packaging makes them look like they’re harmless.”
Navpreet Kaur from Leicester echoed Sohal’s concerns, saying: “I’m not surprised that more children are using vapes. They look more sleek compared to normal cigarettes and as teenagers, the colors and flavors probably seem exciting.”
Kaur added that she’s seen vape advertisements while scrolling through TikTok and worries about the exposure her children are getting to them.
“I’m not personally worried about my children as such but it’s an obvious problem I think for young adults as well. I’m hoping that it’s a trend which will die down soon,” Kaur said.
To help reduce the influence of advertisement, health experts advocate plain packaging and the introduction of strict rules so that vapes can only be marketed as an aid to stopping smoking instead of a fun lifestyle product.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of ASH, said: “The disposable vapes that have surged in popularity over the last year are brightly colored, pocket-size products with sweet flavors and sweet names.”
She said more funding was required to enforce the law against underage sales of e-cigarettes. Also, Dr. Max Davie, who is a Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health, was quick to point out that: “Vaping is far from risk-free and may be addictive. We must make efforts to stop children and young people picking up and using these products.”
