Vaping is a controversial topic in many circles. The popularity of the trend has risen rapidly among teenagers and young adults, surpassing cigarette smoking in this age group. The surge in vaping can be attributed to the advent of battery-operated vaping devices, which heat a liquid to create an aerosol for inhalation, offering a modern twist to nicotine consumption.
Some groups believe the technology is harmless or at least less harmful than traditional cigarettes. However, experts warn that vaping may represent a significant health concern in the future, especially among the younger generation, where its use is most prevalent. The e-cigarette aerosol produced by these devices can lead to breathing difficulties, coughing, and long-term health issues such as increased risk of cancer and heart disease.
At PCP, we are committed to helping individuals struggling with addiction. Understanding the available treatment options and how you can get help with your addiction is one of the first steps towards recovery.
So, in this article, we’ll explain the factors behind the sudden rise in vaping among teens and young adults, the possible dangers, and how to overcome a vape addiction.
What Is Vaping with an Electronic Cigarette?
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapour using battery-powered devices, often called vape pens, or more formally, electronic nicotine-delivery systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices that vaporize e-liquids containing nicotine. This vapour usually contains additives like nicotine, flavouring, and marijuana.
This vapour comes from a specially designed liquid known as e-liquid, usually a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin. E-liquids are turned to gas when they are heated up by the e-cigarette, often referred to as vape pens, and subsequently inhaled by the smoker.
Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that poses risks of nicotine poisoning in children and can harm adolescent brain development. The actual contents of e-liquids vary widely among different manufacturers. Studies have also shown that the content often differs significantly from what is advertised. The nicotine concentration of e-liquids can range from 0 to >50 mg/mL.
How Popular Is Vaping Among Teens?
E-Vaping has become increasingly popular among teens and young adults over the last decade. This is in contrast to smoking rates, which have fallen across all age groups.
A survey carried out in 2023 by the charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) found that 3.7% of young people between the ages of 11 and 18 in Great Britain vape regularly. Another study, the International Tobacco Control Study, discovered that 24% of people between 16 and 19 in England reported vaping in the past 30 days in 2022.
The government Office for National Statistics published data on e-cigarette use in Great Britain, which showed that, in 2022, 16 to 24-year-olds were more likely to report daily or occasional vaping than all other age groups.
Due to the worrying nature of this trend, it is important to understand the reasons behind its steady rise and popularity. The availability of fun flavours significantly contributes to the popularity of vaping among teens, making it an appealing alternative to traditional smoking.
Why the Sudden Rise in the Popularity of Vaping Among Teens?
E-cigarettes are becoming more popular among youth due to several factors:
The perception that vaping is less harmful than smoking has contributed to its popularity. However, it’s crucial to understand that nicotine, a common ingredient in e-cigarettes, is highly addictive and nicotine affects the developing brains of teens in significant ways, leading to addiction and potentially impacting their brain development adversely.
Marketing strategies also play a role, with e-cigarettes often being advertised as a safer alternative to traditional combustible cigarettes. This comparison not only misleads young people about the potential risks but also overlooks the dangers associated with nicotine addiction and exposure.
The variety of flavours and the use of vaping devices as a trendy alternative to e-cigarettes have also attracted a younger demographic. These devices, which can be used to inhale nicotine and other substances, are becoming a staple among teens, further complicating the issue of nicotine addiction.
Moreover, there is a concerning trend of teens transitioning from vaping to regular cigarettes, a shift that underscores the addictive pathway facilitated by early exposure to nicotine through e-cigarettes. This transition poses significant health risks and highlights the need for comprehensive education and prevention strategies to address the growing issue of vaping among youth.
Perceived Safety
Many users believe e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes. While e-cigarettes do not expose you to many of the carcinogens and toxins found in conventional cigarettes, they do have their dangers. The aerosol produced by vaping is not just water vapour but contains nicotine, harmful chemicals, and flavourings. One potential danger is nicotine addiction and the effects of early nicotine exposure on the developing brain. Also, there is a risk of inhaling chemicals like diacetyl, which has been linked to the lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans (“popcorn lung”). This lack of awareness of the health risks and addiction risks associated with vaping is a key reason many develop the habit.
Marketing
Despite the controversial nature of the topic, many e-cigarette companies make direct efforts to market their products to younger age groups. Ad campaigns for e-cigarettes usually feature younger individuals and promote a wide range of appealing flavours. The devices are also designed in bright colours with sleek designs, making them appealing to tech-savvy youth.
Convenience
E-cigarettes are easy to use, discreet, and can be used in places where smoking is prohibited. Some schools in the UK have banned the use of vaping on their premises, but it is still allowed in many schools.
Social Influence
Younger age groups are pretty susceptible to social influences like peer pressure. Years of direct marketing strategies targeted at youth have made vaping seem harmless and trendy among young people. Therefore, rising peer influence works like a positive feedback loop. As more young people vape, the trend becomes more popular, which further leads to more teens and young adults picking up the habit.
Regulation of Vaping Among Teens
According to current UK law, the sale or purchase of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes for anyone under the age of 18 is illegal. This does little to prevent the worrying rise in illegal vaping.
Therefore, the government has tried to crack down on the growing trend of illegal vape use among teens through diverse tactics like:
● Increasing education on the dangers of vaping.
● Creating dedicated police liaison officers to keep illegal vapes out of schools.
● Tougher penalties on those caught selling vapes illegally.
● Stricter regulations for companies introducing new vape products into the market.
● Reviewing current laws for selling nicotine-free vape to under-18s.
● In March 2024, the UK government introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which included a ban on disposable vapes by 2025 and a new tax on vape e-liquids that will take effect in 2026.
● Other potential restrictions were considered concerning flavour bans, advocating for plainer packaging and limited displays of these products.
However, the government is also aware that vaping is the most successful alternative to cigarette smoking and a useful tool for achieving their aim of a smoking-free UK by 2030. Therefore, these measures are targeted towards reducing teenage vaping, which rather increases your risk of cigarette smoking later in life.
Dangers of Vaping
Risk of addiction
A large number of youths regularly use nicotine- or THC-containing vapes, even unwittingly. Nicotine is one of the most addictive substances known, and the drug has a powerful effect on the reward centre of the brain.
Repeated exposure to the drug leads to tolerance (where higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects), dependence (when the body and brain become reliant on the drug to function properly), and addiction (a situation where you cannot stop taking the drug despite the negative effects it has in your life).
One reason the risk of addiction to e-cigarettes is high is that the nicotine contained within these devices is more potent. It comes in a form known as protonated nicotine, which has higher absorption and smoother effects when compared to normal nicotine.
Also, studies have shown that the adolescent brain is more susceptible to the addictive properties of nicotine. Some researchers even suggest that dependence can occur as quickly as within one or two days of nicotine use.
Teenagers are also more easily influenced by peer pressure. They tend to be more motivated by the reward than conscious of the potential dangers, even if they are well-informed of these risks.
Effects of E-Cigarettes Containing Nicotine on Brain Development
The effects of nicotine on the adult brain have been well-studied. This includes its short- and long-term influence on cravings, the reward pathway, mood and self-control.
Nicotine’s effect on the developing brain has also been studied. Smoking during adolescence has been found to increase the risk of developing neuropsychiatric conditions like anxiety, depression, antisocial personality disorder, and substance use disorders (SUD) later on in life.
They are also at risk of cognitive disorders like attention deficits, impulsiveness, faulty decision-making, and poor memory.
Long-term effects on cardiovascular health
One of the most well-known dangers of nicotine is its effect on your heart and blood vessels. This danger seems to be lower when nicotine is consumed without combustion (like with e-cigarettes or chewing tobacco), as many harmful by-products are released during combustion.
Nicotine increases blood pressure and can impair blood flow to the heart over time. It also increases your risk of heart failure, strokes, heart attacks, blood clots, arrhythmias, angina and hypertension.
Some other components of e-cigarettes have also been discovered to be dangerous to the heart like acetaldehyde, acrolein, and formaldehyde.
Respiratory tract injury
Vaping-associated pulmonary injury (VAPI) or e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI), is a type of lung injury associated with vaping. What makes diagnosing the condition so difficult is that it can mimic several other forms of lung disease.
The exact chemical in vape juice that causes VAPI is not clear, but the leading suspect is an illegal diluent called vitamin E acetate.
Currently, it is believed that there is an underreported VAPI epidemic in the US. The first case was detected in March 2019, and by February 2020, there were over 2800 detected cases. Europe reported its first fatal EVALI case in March 2020, and the condition has been seen in children as young as 13 years old.
E-cigarettes also worsen asthma and coughs. They have also been found to contain dangerous chemicals like diacetyl and acrolein. These have been linked to lung cancer, asthma, lung injury and COPD.
Increased risk of smoking
Teenagers and young adults who use e-cigarettes have a higher risk of smoking and using other tobacco products later on in life. This disproves the belief that many teenagers have that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional smoking in the long run.
Unknown long-term health effects
Vaping is a more recent practice than smoking, and the long-term health effects are still poorly understood. Hopefully, over time, research will uncover this information. Until then, researchers can only speculate on the long-term effects of vaping.
Can Vaping Lead to Nicotine Addiction?
Vaping can be quite addictive. The primary addictive substance in e-cigarettes is nicotine, although an increasing number of people use e-cigarettes with other addictive substances like tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These substances can lead to psychological and physical dependence.
Psychological dependence is associated with emotional and cognitive symptoms like:
● Cravings
● Depression
● Anxiety
● Sleep disturbances
● Compulsive drug-seeking behaviour
● Changes in appetite.
Physical addiction occurs when the substance has not been taken for some time, leading to withdrawal. This leads to withdrawal symptoms like:
● Fevers
● Chills
● Tremors
● Cramps
● Fatigue
Understanding the challenges of addiction is crucial for those looking to quit vaping. Support and guidance are available to navigate the difficulties of overcoming vaping addiction, emphasizing the importance of addressing both the psychological and physical aspects of dependence.
Signs of a Substance Use Disorder
E-cigarettes contain several psychoactive substances, like nicotine and THC. Therefore, it could potentially lead to a substance use disorder, especially if taken at high doses or for a long time.
Diagnosing a substance use disorder or drug addiction should be done by a qualified healthcare provider. The criteria for making this diagnosis is based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This guideline also helps determine the severity of the SUD.
The criteria include:
● Using larger amounts of the drug than intended or taking the drug for a longer duration than originally intended.
● Having persistent cravings for the drug.
● Making repeated unsuccessful attempts to cut down or control drug use.
● Spending a significant amount of time on obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug.
● Drug use negatively affects your performance at work, school, home, or social obligations.
● Avoiding important social, occupational, or recreational activities because of drug use.
● Using the drug in dangerous situations or drug use leads to dangerous situations.
● Continuing to use these substances despite persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problems caused or worsened by the medication.
● Continuing to use drugs despite persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or worsened by the drug.
● Requiring increased amounts of the drug to achieve the same level of intoxication or desired effect (tolerance).
● Experiencing discomforting symptoms when drug use stops, which may lead to substance abuse to relieve or avoid these symptoms (withdrawal)
Healthcare professionals diagnose an SUD if an individual meets 2 or more of these 11 diagnostic criteria.
These criteria can also be used to determine the severity of an alcohol use disorder – mild means meeting 2-3 criteria; moderate signifies 4-5 criteria; and severe SUDs are when you have 6 or more symptoms.
How To Quit Vaping and Overcome Addiction
Cigarettes, often called vapes, such as vape pens, are electronic devices that heat a liquid to create an aerosol for inhalation. This section discusses strategies to quit vaping, emphasising the importance of understanding and referring to these devices accurately.
● Decide why you’re quitting. Having a well-defined reason for quitting vaping can be a source of motivation and accountability. This could include health reasons, your relationship with your family, partner or children, and your academic or work performance.
● Quit cold turkey. Going ‘cold turkey’ means suddenly stopping all nicotine-containing products. Some research has shown that this is more effective than gradual methods like switching to nicotine gum or patches.
● Look out for triggers. Triggers like stress, anxiety, and trauma increase your chances of relapse. Other triggers could include certain acquaintances, locations, and hobbies. Identifying your triggers can help you avoid these situations and reduce your chances of relapse.
● Create coping strategies to deal with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Unfortunately, cravings and withdrawal are common problems in drug dependence. Crafting effective coping strategies like keeping your mouth busy, avoiding triggers, distracting yourself for several minutes till the cravings pass and practicing stress-relief techniques like yoga and meditation.
● Stay positive. Keeping a positive mindset throughout recovery is important for maintaining resolve and improving your mental health. Visualise yourself vape-free and picture all the benefits it offers.
● Reach out for help. There are numerous sources that can offer you help in breaking free from a vape addiction. These include recovery centres, 12-step programmes, and charities. Some of these offer therapy and post-recovery support.
Seek Help at PCP
Addressing the rise of vaping among teens is important for safeguarding the health and well-being of the next generation. We can combat this trend and its associated risks by staying informed and proactive.
If you or someone you know is struggling with vaping addiction, seek help from PCP today and take the first step towards a healthier future.
