One day, I walked into a public bathroom, and instead of it being empty, I saw a group of people through a misty, white, fruity smoke in the air. They quickly left, but it was clear what they were doing there: Vaping.
When vaping entered the market, it was pitched as a “safer” alternative for adult smokers who wanted to quit. However, there is no pretending anymore, vaping has a kid problem. And it’s not an accident – it’s a strategy.
Imagine walking into the gas station for a quick pick-me-up and seeing an entire array of brightly colored vapes behind the checkout counter. The flavors? Blue Raz Ice, Tropical Breeze and Miami Mint, looking a lot less like a nicotine replacement and more like a candle aisle.
The packaging? Slick, vibrant and small enough to fit in your pocket. These products aren’t designed with a hardened, middle-aged smoker in mind. They are designed to catch the curiosity of 14-year-olds.
Unfortunately, it’s working. More than 2 million students between the ages of 14-18 reported using e-cigarettes in 2023, according to the Center for Disease Control.
That’s not a “mistake” in marketing. It’s a business model.
Like Big Tobacco before them, vape manufacturers have gotten scarily good at recruiting lifelong customers early, with the use of social media, influencers and celebrities to promote these products to younger audiences. In 2023, Doja Cat broke Met Gala rules and openly vaped at the event. It’s no surprise how kids are even aware of vaping.
The consequences of vaping at a young age are alarming. Kids who vape are more likely to pick up traditional cigarettes. The amount of nicotine these young people are inhaling is not only highly addictive but also extremely harmful to the still-developing brain. Not to mention that pesticides have been found along with a cocktail of chemicals still not fully understood.
Possibly scariest of all, there have been reports of fentanyl, a highly dangerous drug, found in vapes. Just 2 mg of powdered fentanyl can end someone’s life, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The consequences of vaping fentanyl are still unclear.
Young people are vaping under the illusion that it is harmless – or at least not as dangerous as traditional cigarettes – and thinking they look cool. Because while the industry hides behind adult intentions, the kids pay the price.
