Smoking in today’s world has reached an all-time low. Yet vaping has hit an all-time high for all age groups. This is a greater worry for the younger age groups, and you’ll find out why. Whilst vaping might be a save and grace for older age groups, used as a crutch before giving up smoking.
Why Younger Bodies and Brains Are More Vulnerable
The key here is development, the pre-frontal cortex does not fully develop until the age of 25 by which South African kids could have legally been smoking for up to seven years (generally they have been smoking much longer as the rules are not properly enforced).
Smoking other products like tobacco and Cannabis have much heavier effects on the body and brain than vaping yet vaping has a significant impact on the pre-frontal cortex thanks to its high nicotine content. Vaping has up to 5 times more nicotine intake than cigarettes have.
This means the pre-frontal cortexes development becomes stunted. This young soul who smokes vapes regularly will become more dependent and less mature than the rest of his peers. Possibly leading to more detrimental long terms issues (obviously not always the case).
Why Vaping Is Risky for You
When one is developing it is easy to say they are more vulnerable to temptation, as well as addiction and when the device your smoking has up to five times more nicotine than what us humans are generally used to, this can be problematic.
Lung irritation and cardiovascular problems also lie on the path of vaping. Not as bad as other products researched so far, yet still a deep worry for sporting issues in the future. Competing at professional levels means you’re at a disadvantage already.
Cognitive impact like we spoke about above also has a tole. Mood regulation becomes unstable. Focus becomes foggy and memory doesn’t exactly improve.
Temptation station
Smoking has never been so delightful. Especially to the younger demographics, it’s not only the nicotine. Flavors of every kind are being created, blends like bubblegum & banana, raspberry & watermelon, apple and honey, everything we eat has been turned into a vape flavor.
Vape design: humans love a good button to press or shining light, its irresistible. Look no further, vape brands are coming out with shining stars, brightly colored flavor levels, neon battery percentage and anything else to catch the eye.
Accessibility: you don’t even need to press a button to smoke, just inhale and the vape turns on itself and starts burning (auto drag). Buy them in small enough sizes to hide anywhere and from anyone, your parents, the teacher, security and even yourself.
False safety: many believe that vaping is way healthier than smoking anything else. While this might be true for now (while studies continue) there are still health risks that should easily be seen. For young minds this is not something they can perceive.
Parents and Schools: What Are They Doing About It?
Schools in South Africa and worldwide are adopting stricter policies, random checks, vape detectors in bathrooms, and education programs warning students of health risks. Parents are stepping in with conversations at home, yet many struggle to bridge the knowledge gap because vaping feels so different from smoking. Some communities are pushing for tighter regulation on advertising, packaging, and retail sales to minors.
Long-Term Effects of Teen Vaping
Whether you are underaged or 18 years and above, long term vaping has its consequences.
- Addiction Potential: Since there is more nicotine, means there is a greater desire for it. The longer you smoke the harder it will be to quit, it becomes a part of you. Not mentioning that it can lead to other harmful substances like tobacco and cannabis out of curiosity.
- Increased mental struggle: Especially for those at a younger age, once you are a medium to heavy user the age stunt begins. The biggest effect of this is focus and the ability to be sociable with your peers. Birds of a feather flock together, therefore smokers stick together. Creating a more dangerous ethos for the child.
- Raspatory problems: These are of concern for reasons that lie within talent. Imagine you’re a professional rugby player and you can’t meet the standards of your team because you have lung damage or being a western province athlete that runs out of breath faster than the rest. Not good.
When your older
Smoking vapes as an older individual is still not ideal, since it comes with its own set of issues. Although having fully developed, knowing who you are, and the dangers out there means you have responsibility over the situation. The issues don’t fall on anyone else’s shoulders except yours.
Vaping might be a crutch for cigarettes or a process in which you are quitting. The side effects feel more real as your body is more in touch with itself and you are aware of the future sacrifices you are making.
Conclusion
Vaping is a new world smoking trend that isn’t going to fade anytime soon, and it may be a slight improvement on cigarettes. Young adults and teens need to be educated on it at an early age and reminder through the years of the future consequences, up until they are fully developed and can take the responsibility without causing harm to others. What do you think ?
