Vaping and smoking habits among teens are linked, as would be obvious, but in a very strange way. It seems that teens do not necessarily go to vaping from smoking or vice versa. It is actually more likely that they take up one of the two, than both.
Yes, you may find it hard to believe, but there are teens which start using electronic cigarettes who have never in their lives smoked a normal cigarette. E-cigarettes have been a thing since their introduction in China back in 2004. In the meantime, the devices have gathered a more and more widespread usage.
Apparently, people think that inhaling vapors infused with nicotine is better health wise than smoking actual cigarettes. This comes from the belief that nicotine is not that bad on your lungs as is the combination of the other two main components of the traditional pack.
Although there is no clear data to confirm these beliefs, a lot of people still think vaping is safe, or at least much safer compared to smoking. Jessica Barrington-Trimis, the lead author of a new study on the reasons why teens pick up smoking, says that there is a real issue in the fact that many teens now are taking up vaping just because it is more socially acceptable than smoking.
She says that due to the bad reputation of smoking, teens are much more likely to vape since they don’t need to hide this from their parents. If we’re two imagine two different scenarios, it’s easy to see why that is the case. Parents in general are more inclined to frown upon smoking, even if they themselves are doing it, than upon vaping.
The study authors gathered data last year in Southern California, from 2,084 teenagers. The results showed 25% used E-cigarettes, but 5 percent less had ever actually smoked. Therefore E-cigarettes, initially made to make people quit smoking, are now becoming a thing of their own.
The study also found links between what the teens’ parents used and what they were using. If the parents used traditional cigarettes, then the children usually resorted to the traditional cigs also. The lead author suggested that parents tell their E-cigarettes using children that nicotine impacts the development of their brains.
It is still unlikely for them to quit, as there is no evidence whatsoever pointing to the fact that E-cigs are bad. The only known issue is that nicotine is highly addictive, and they could end up having financial problems if they use too much of it.
Image source: nih.gov
Pomegranny says
Nobody goes to smoking from vaping.
Teens that don’t smoke would experiment with zero nic e liquid.
Teens that already smoke would be switching to vaping for the same reason adults do.
This isn’t a problem. This is the end of smoking.
Teens are not stupid. They are fully capable of accepting reality.
I’m not sure how to help Tobacco Control, but they’re the only ones worried about the declining teen uptake of cigarettes.
To people who aren’t corporations: great news.
Ryan Rji Rji says
“Apparently, people think that inhaling vapors infused with nicotine is better health wise than smoking actual cigarettes. This comes from the belief that nicotine is not that bad on your lungs as is the combination of the other two main components of the traditional pack.”
Other TWO components? Try 5,000, including dozens of carcinogens, tar, carpet glue, paper, and fiberglass.
Of course vaping better health wise. You’d have to be a nitwit to think smoking a cigarette is somehow better for you.