Surveys show that the number of vaping teenagers in Ireland is on the rise. Already studies show that children as young as 13 years old are using vaping products. The Irish Tobacco Free Research Institute’s recent study shows that most youths in the country begin vaping between 14 and 15 years. This is not something unusual. Katelyn Benson, a contributor with the SpunOut, a youth information website says she has heard kids as young as 8 years old vaping. She says these kids are “going in, vaping in the bathrooms blowing away the smoke and then coming out and the teachers can’t say anything because there’s no smell.”
She adds that most of these vapes are disposable and this makes it easy for teenagers and young kids to hide them from their parents as they can simply throw them away after use. She also believes that many young kids are using these products because many tests like sweets and candies and thus quite attractive. In addition, these products are less expensive and thus many kids can save up and make the purchases themselves.
A study by the Irish Tobacco Free Research Institute found that teen vaping increased to 39% in 2019 up from 23% in 2014. This is a significant increase that has many stakeholders concerned. According to Professor Luke Clancy, the Institute’s director general, the main reason why the number of teen vapers is growing is curiosity. With many teenagers using vaping products, many more teens want to also try vapes. He further said, “the time of teenage smoking has reversed in Ireland and we think that the influence of e-cigarettes in that is likely to be great.”
About 70% of teens who took part in the study reported that they had never smoked before trying vapes. This admission negates claims made by e-cigarette manufacturers and marketers who insist that their products are designed for adults trying to quit smoking.
Professor Clancy says that using e-cigarettes poses many dangers to the health of the teens involved. “Developing brains – immature brains – are affected adversely by nicotine, no matter what the strength is. Nicotine acts directly on the brain and with immature brains has a deleterious effect on them,” said professor Clancy. He further warned that flavours in vaping products should not be used to suggest that those products are safe as many people claim. He believes that educating the public on the dangers of these products and passing age restriction laws are the best solution to the problem.
Colin O’Gara, Saint John of God Hospital’s head of addiction services says that the trend could be a sign of psychological problems. He believes the availability of e-cigarette products to teens and the teen’s curious nature makes for a fertile ground for new habits around vaping to spring up.
The Goodnews is that already the government is preparing a bill set to restrict the sale of nicotine products to teens. In this, the government has found an unlikely ally: the Vape Business Ireland (VBI) which the body represents e-cigarette marketers. The VBI has been calling for a ban on the sale of e-cigarettes to teens under 18 years since 2015.
