Let’s tell our teens about the dangers of vaping now

It’s almost Youth Day and as we celebrate the youth for taking positive action in the past, it’s also important to highlight the actions of today that influence their future health.

There is growing concern about vaping among teenagers who perceive it as cool and safer than cigarettes. To gain a deeper understanding of the potential risks, particularly among young people, I spoke with Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit, a consultant pulmonologist at Groote Schuur Hospital and researcher at the UCT Lung Institute.

Vaping is often a form of social inclusiveness and a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety. It is highly addictive and from research shared by Professor Richard van Zyl-Smit, about one-third to a quarter of matric learners are vaping. Here is his view: “While the number, volume, and concentration of chemicals in vaping devices are less than those found in tobacco, the comparison should always be made to fresh air. Not to something that prematurely kills half the people who smoke.”

Professor van Zyl-Smit emphasised that we need clear communication about the dangers of vaping. For adolescents, the exposure to chemicals when vaping has long-term effects on mental health, cognitive and brain function, and lung health.

How does vaping differ from smoking tobacco?

Tobacco smoking involves the combustion of processed tobacco leaves, which are carcinogenic. Electronic vaping systems heat a liquid consisting of propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavourants, with or without nicotine. When heated and inhaled, the vaping liquids have known toxic effects on the lungs. Certain flavourants have been confirmed to cause damage to lung cells, the lining of the lungs, and blood vessels. Furthermore, the heating coils used in vaping devices are made of nickel or cadmium and are known carcinogens.

Promoting vaping as a harm-reduction strategy is not the answer. Locally, there is no specific legislation, but government has taken some steps to regulate the sales and use of e-cigarettes among minors. Recent news reports indicate that some schools are taking proactive measures to address this concern, such as inviting lung specialists to educate everyone about the health risks of vaping. Professor Van Zyl-Smit says no one can guarantee that vaping won’t lead to health issues in the future, just as smoking did. He emphasised that the long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown because we haven't had people exposed to vaping for the same time as tobacco.

Quitting smoking and not vaping altogether should be the goal. It’s crucial that we act now to protect the health of the next generations, knowing the dangers of smoking.