Opinion: Kiri Gillespie: Increase in young vapers concerning despite how nice it smells

Has vaping become the new "cool" vice for young people? Photo / NZME

OPINION:

When I was at school, the older kids who smoked behind the classroom and outside the wire gates were considered to be so much cooler than anyone else.

The image of these teens in uniform puffing away on cigarettes embedded in my young and eager psyche and, naively, I thought these girls were the coolest. I wanted to be like them.

After all, the James Deans, Marilyn Monroes, David Bowies and Kurt Cobains of the world all smoked. It didn't take long for me to start.

Ugh.

How blinded I was.

Fortunately, we all know better now. I gave up the smokes and I'm grateful I did. I still recall the black muck I'd cough up in those cold turkey days that followed. Again, ugh.

So now, I can't help but worry after learning of so many young people who have taken up vaping.

Bay of Plenty principals are calling for greater messaging to discourage students from vaping due to more students taking up the habit.

Sure, vaping has helped many adults curb their cigarette addiction. That's got to be a good thing right? It certainly smells much nicer sitting near a vaper than someone who smells like a four-day-old ashtray.

And of the vapers I know, many have told me it's better for them than smoking. But is it really?

The reality is no one knows.

Vaping is still so new, there is very little research to substantially say just how harmful it really is, or isn't.

Lacing vaping juice with smells of candies or berries no doubt adds to the allure for many young people but Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ has already raised its concerns.

It says the nicotine found in most vapes leads to addiction and harms adolescent brain development. Other chemicals in vapes are known to affect lung and heart health, plus cell development.

Even the Ministry of Health was quoted saying vaping "was not without risks and the long-term effects were unknown".

I appreciate smokers choosing an alternative to cigarettes and I don't mean to knock that but I find the increase in young vapers concerning.

I agree with the principals; more education is needed. Years ago, everyone thought asbestos was great too - until research proved it causes cancer. It's now banned in more than 60 countries.

Ultimately, if people want to vape then so be it, but I feel they should do so knowing what's at risk. And I'm not so sure we've learned what that is yet.