The Multiple Risks of Vaping, and Why It Appeals to Teenagers

E-cigarettes are a new type of tobacco product, with the two main types currently being: one is "heat-not-burn," which uses special tobacco sticks and provides a sensation very similar to smoking traditional cigarettes; the other is "electronic vaporization," which uses e-liquid and has a lighter taste, making it more popular among young people and non-smokers.
 
Many manufacturers claim that e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to traditional cigarettes and can help with quitting smoking.

However, in a report released on July 26, the World Health Organization pointed out that many harmful substances produced by e-cigarettes are similar to those produced by traditional cigarettes, albeit at lower levels, but this new type of tobacco product may also generate some harmful chemicals that traditional cigarettes do not produce.

Research indicates that although e-cigarette products often promote themselves as "healthy," they still contain varying amounts of nicotine. Besides its own toxicity, nicotine is also a highly addictive substance.

In addition to nicotine, the flavoring agents that create the unique taste of e-cigarettes pose significant risks to cardiovascular health, especially for young people.

The WHO report also warns that the secondhand aerosol produced by heated e-cigarette solutions is not merely "water vapor" as many marketing claims suggest; some metal contents, such as nickel and chromium, can even be higher than those found in secondhand smoke from traditional cigarettes.

The report states that there is no evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional tobacco products, and that these products still fall under the category of tobacco products; switching from traditional cigarettes to e-cigarettes does not constitute a method of quitting smoking.

There is no consensus globally on the harms of "heat-not-burn tobacco products," and some manufacturers are exploiting this to mislead consumers and evade current regulatory requirements.

Appealing to Young People

Notably, the WHO report specifically emphasizes the adverse effects that e-cigarettes may have on young people.

In fact, as early as 2014, the WHO recommended that governments take measures to prohibit the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

Surveys show that half of American teenagers who use e-cigarettes believe they are non-toxic.

At the same time, to attract consumers, e-cigarette manufacturers have developed various flavors such as tobacco, fruit, chocolate, and have designed products resembling cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or even pens and USB drives.

The promotion of "non-toxic" claims, novel designs, diverse flavors, and cool tricks like "blowing smoke rings" have all significantly attracted young people.

Moreover, because e-cigarettes come in various flavors and do not leave a strong smoke smell on clothes like traditional cigarettes, and their appearance is diverse, small, and portable, this poses significant challenges for parents and schools in monitoring young people's use of e-cigarettes.