The Rise of Vaping Among Young People: A Growing Concern
Young People and the Vaping Epidemic
Smoking in any form is highly addictive, and today’s young generation is hooked. In Britain, 11% of the population now smokes e-cigarettes. Among 16–24-year-olds, 16.8% vape occasionally or daily, making them the biggest users. The next closest age group, 26–35-year-olds, stands at nearly 13%.
Why Are So Many Young People Vaping?
The decline in traditional cigarette smoking has been steady. Yet, vaping remains popular. Many young people say, “We know smoking isn’t safe, but vaping hasn’t been proven safe either.”
History has shown how misinformation spreads. In the 1880s, cigarettes became popular because they were cheap and easy to produce. Tobacco companies even claimed smoking was good for digestion, stress relief, and asthma.
The Misleading Past of Smoking
For decades, cigarettes were marketed as beneficial. In the 1950s, doctors even recommended smoking to manage stress. Many were unaware of the link between smoking and serious illnesses.
For example, my grandmother was advised by her doctor to start smoking to cope with stress while raising nine children. She later developed heart disease and passed away in her mid-60s. At the time, smoking was believed to be harmless—or at least, that’s what people were told.
Vaping: A Modern-Day Deception?
History may be repeating itself. Many health professionals, including the NHS, claim vaping is safer than smoking and often promote it as a quitting aid.
- 20% of vapers use e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
- 15% say they vape to avoid relapsing.
- 11% say they vape to relax.
However, recent research suggests vaping may not be as safe as once thought. A Manchester Metropolitan University study found that vapers in their 20s had reduced lung capacity and poorer exercise performance than non-smokers.
The Unknown Long-Term Effects of Vaping
While vaping is seen as a ‘better’ alternative, we don’t yet know its long-term effects.
Bright packaging, sweet flavours, and high nicotine content make vaping highly addictive. The habit has become deeply ingrained in daily routines. Some people struggle to go more than a few hours without their vape.
A Time for Reflection
Today is National No Smoking Day—an opportunity to rethink habits.
If you find yourself unable to go without vaping for a few hours, it’s worth asking: Is this really a healthier alternative, or are we just repeating history?
Should you be encountering any of the difficulties outlined in this article, please reach out to us, and our team will try to help in any way possible