From “Stress Reliever” to a Social Trend: The Rising Popularity of Cigarettes and E-Cigarettes (Vape) Pollution among the Youth

Imagine you are strolling down the street on your way to school—while walking, you smell the fresh air from the trees, and it eases your mind. But then something intoxicating suffocates you; instead of the usual fresh air, you suddenly smell smoke—cigarette smoke, paired with vape smoke that smells like strawberries. You look towards the source of the smell, but then you see a disheartening scene: two young boys, aged nine (9) and ten (10) years old, smoking just right outside your school gate. But what might be the most heart-aching thing about this is that this isn’t something from a lecture book or some made-up story—this is something that we, the youth, are currently facing right now.

WHAT ARE CIGARETTES AND VAPES? WHY WERE THEY CREATED?

Let’s travel back in time, shall we? The earliest recordings found that as early as the 9th century, there were already forms of cigarettes—that’s over a millennia! But these weren’t like the modern cigarettes we know today. Cigarettes before were made from pure tobacco and herbs, while modern cigarettes are mainly manufactured using paper, special types of films (cigarette butt), and, in some cases, additional nicotine substances.

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

Before, cigarettes were mainly used in rituals and traditions. But since the 19th century, they have been mainly used for personal relief—an outlet to vent out an individual’s stress. And so, as the years progressed, so did the intensity of smokers around the globe: teachers, police, farmers—everyone was using them. But there was something hidden—something that people weren’t aware of. The earliest observations of side effects emerged in the early 19th century; patients diagnosed with lip and mouth cancers were unusually rising. By the 1930s, medical data in the EU was reporting statistical links between smoking and these arising problems—but tobacco companies firmly refused the accusations. By 1965, the U.S. Surgeon General officially declared it a major health hazard. But society always innovates, and just like that, it was the beginning—the rise of an alternative: E-cigarettes or “vapes.”

VAPING? WHAT’S THAT? WHY IS IT SO POPULAR? IS IT A TOY?

No, vapes are not toys—in fact, vapes were initially designed to be an alternative to smoking, a chance to rehabilitate those who are addicted to cigarettes. Compared to cigarettes, vapes have a much lower nicotine dosage in their formula, which some believe means it “does not affect your health and is not as severe as a cigarette.” However, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022), nicotine harms parts of the adolescent brain governing attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, and no tobacco product—including e-cigarettes—is safe for youth. This means that while e-cigarettes can help people get off their cigarette addiction, when consumed by individuals who are in the stage of puberty and maturing, they may affect cognitive functions and overall character. Vapes were popularized due to the wide variety of flavors, including banana, apple, strawberry, blueberry, rainbow, bubblegum, and so much more. They are also easier to acquire because of their availability in online shops and the lack of proper policies restricting underaged individuals from buying them.

SO THEN… WHAT SHOULD WE DO ABOUT THIS?

The first step is to avoid these toxic materials. We know that they are not healthy for our bodies, so we must avoid them. The next thing is to influence and educate others who may not be aware of the risks of consuming the contents of e-cigarettes—they might just be lost—so guiding them to the correct path makes a huge impact. And last but not least, report any establishments or individuals that are selling cigarettes and e-cigarettes to underaged individuals.

DONE? WAIT… NOT YET!

While we should acknowledge the fact that a person addicted to smoking might be going through a rough patch, we should instead guide them to the correct track and encourage them to do other activities like sports, writing, and even socializing! There’s nothing wrong with cigarettes and e-cigarettes, after all—they were created with a purpose. But when they reach the wrong audience, that’s the part where it gets wrong. As the future pillars of the world, we must know better—we must prioritize our health and stray away from addictions. We must be vigilant and not let any bad influence get to us. We must always remember that health comes first.