Vaping: Is It Dangerous?
Jalen Hendrix
Jalen Hendrix
In recent years the world has seen a new kind of smoking alternative known as E-cigarettes or vapes. But what is a vape, where did it come from, and why on earth is it so popular? Very few people knew at the time, but vaping actually has roots that date back all the way back to 1963. Invented by Herbert A. Gilbert this “non-tobacco cigarette” ,vapes did not become popular until the mid 2000’s. It was 2003 when Hon Lik, a Chinese pharmacist, first patented his idea of the new electronic cigarette we have today.
Lik was inspired to do this after the death of his father which was caused by lung cancer, one of the many consequences of smoking tobacco cigarettes. Vape (or e-cigarettes) were created to be an alternative to tobacco cigarettes, but have since become a widely addictive and dangerous drug. Actually, it has always been addictive, but it wasn’t until recently that people really started investigating this drug. Although this is supposed to be an alternative to smoking, it is highly addictive because of its nicotine base. Today’s vapes even come with flavors including: tropical, grape, coffee, lava-flow, candy crush, etc.
But what makes vaping so addictive? Well nicotine of course is one of the best known reasons, and is also know to be extremely addictive. Nicotine is also found in tobacco cigarettes and prevention patches people use to get out of the habit of smoking tobacco. It is quite odd to imagine that the same kind of remedy for cigarette habits is one of the same things that cause you to be addicted to it. Another reason vape is addictive is because of the flavors. Most people find this appealing because of the smells and the fact that it makes vaping more interesting. Divina , a sophomore, believes, “ brands use flavors to draw teens into it, it makes you want to try it.”
And just how safe is vaping compared to cigarettes? Well it is not that different. In fact, vaping can also damage your lungs and can even cause cancer through the different flavors. The flavors are actually nothing but sweet smelling chemical compounds created in labs specifically for these e-cigarettes. A recent study shows that teens who do vape have three times the amount of toxins in their urine than teens who do not vape.
Should parents be anxious or alarmed if their child is vaping? Of course it is extremely dangerous and can cause kids to loose focus of their studies. They are only negative effects on their life. Kenley, a sophomore, agrees, “Parents should be worried because with the right amount or if they are constantly doing it, it can cause death.” Maybe the best idea is for schools to have assemblies for things like this to inform parents and students. Vaping is just like other drugs-it ruins lives.
Lik was inspired to do this after the death of his father which was caused by lung cancer, one of the many consequences of smoking tobacco cigarettes. Vape (or e-cigarettes) were created to be an alternative to tobacco cigarettes, but have since become a widely addictive and dangerous drug. Actually, it has always been addictive, but it wasn’t until recently that people really started investigating this drug. Although this is supposed to be an alternative to smoking, it is highly addictive because of its nicotine base. Today’s vapes even come with flavors including: tropical, grape, coffee, lava-flow, candy crush, etc.
But what makes vaping so addictive? Well nicotine of course is one of the best known reasons, and is also know to be extremely addictive. Nicotine is also found in tobacco cigarettes and prevention patches people use to get out of the habit of smoking tobacco. It is quite odd to imagine that the same kind of remedy for cigarette habits is one of the same things that cause you to be addicted to it. Another reason vape is addictive is because of the flavors. Most people find this appealing because of the smells and the fact that it makes vaping more interesting. Divina , a sophomore, believes, “ brands use flavors to draw teens into it, it makes you want to try it.”
And just how safe is vaping compared to cigarettes? Well it is not that different. In fact, vaping can also damage your lungs and can even cause cancer through the different flavors. The flavors are actually nothing but sweet smelling chemical compounds created in labs specifically for these e-cigarettes. A recent study shows that teens who do vape have three times the amount of toxins in their urine than teens who do not vape.
Should parents be anxious or alarmed if their child is vaping? Of course it is extremely dangerous and can cause kids to loose focus of their studies. They are only negative effects on their life. Kenley, a sophomore, agrees, “Parents should be worried because with the right amount or if they are constantly doing it, it can cause death.” Maybe the best idea is for schools to have assemblies for things like this to inform parents and students. Vaping is just like other drugs-it ruins lives.