The sweet-tasting allure of the vape
With flavours such as cherry cola, green gummy bear and cotton candy, bright packaging, and names such as Elf Bar and Lost Mary, vapes exert a powerful pull on teenage tastes. Many are attracted by videos on TikTok. Underage use of e-cigarettes is soaring in the UK and some other countries, opening the danger of a new generation becoming hooked on nicotine. Yet research does point to vapes being safer, overall, than cigarettes, and they are a useful aid to adults in giving up smoking. The balancing act for public authorities is this: how do you prevent vapes becoming a path to nicotine addiction for teens, but keep them available as a path away from cigarette addiction for smokers?
Vapes are still relatively new products, and their long-term effects on health are unclear. Evidence suggests their vapour can contain substances that can cause lung disease, heart disease and cancer, though in far smaller quantities than cigarette smoke. Nicotine can harm brain development in young people, and lead to mood and attention disorders. Research in animals suggests early exposure to nicotine might make users more susceptible to addictive substances — including tobacco — later on. Studies indicate, however, that smokers find them a lot more helpful in quitting smoking than nicotine gum or patches.
This story originally appeared on: Financial Times - Author:The editorial board
