By: Tuba Sheikh
The rise of e-cigarettes, also known as vapes, has been a cause for concern in recent years. The easily accessible pen design of these devices has made them particularly appealing to young people, who are putting their health at risk by using them. The increasing availability of vape pens in the market and their potential dangers, especially to the youth is not good at all. Vape pens have been marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking, but in reality, they are just as dangerous and can have even more severe long-term effects.
The sleek and stylish designs of these devices, combined with clever marketing tactics, have created an image of vaping as cool and trendy.
Studies have shown that vape pens contain high levels of nicotine, a highly addictive substance. This can lead to nicotine addiction in young people who may not have otherwise started using nicotine. Additionally, the chemicals used in the liquids for vape pens have been shown to be harmful to one’s health and can cause severe lung damage.
Another issue with pen vapes is their ease of access to kids. Because they are small and discreet, they can be easily concealed and used in places where traditional cigarettes are banned, such as schools and public places. This has made them popular among young people, who may not fully understand the risks involved in using these devices.
The design of pen vapes also contributes to negative social learning among youth. The sleek and stylish designs of these devices, combined with clever marketing tactics, have created an image of vaping as cool and trendy. This has led many young people to view vaping as a harmless or even desirable behavior, even though the long-term effects of these devices are still unknown.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that action needs to be taken to limit the availability of these dangerous products and to protect our youth from the harmful effects of vaping. I urge you to bring attention to this issue and to support efforts to regulate and limit the sale of vape pens.
The writer is a freelance columnist. She can be reached at [email protected]