Not Nicotine: Young People Are Drawn to Vape Tricks (Photos)
Don't call it smoking. Among young users, vaping is rapidly developing its own language, subculture, and techniques. E-cigarettes are far from just a way to quit smoking, or, as some worry, a gateway to smoking. For many, e-cigarettes are more like a hobby.
A six-month study exploring attitudes and behavioral trends related to smoking among 14-25 year-olds indicates that today's youth do not view vaping as a form of smoking, and they show little interest in the nicotine contained in e-cigarettes; only 28% of participants said they use e-cigarettes to quit smoking. They are more interested in the diverse flavors and tricks of vaping.
Flavors like Skittles, Red Bull, and Sexy Beach are popular among young people. Researchers also identified a trend of "cloud chasing," which involves tricks like blowing smoke rings. Skilled vapers can manipulate their devices to change the size and shape of the vapor clouds they exhale.
It is even seen by some as a sport. A New York vape shop, Vaporium, hosts vaping competitions.
New regulations will limit the nicotine content in e-cigarettes. However, studies show that vaping is transcending its perception as merely an alternative nicotine delivery system.
"In this age group, vaping is not strongly associated with nicotine use; it is more about personal choice, enhancing status among peers, and socializing with friends," said Fiona Measham, a criminology professor at Durham University's School of Applied Social Sciences.
Moreover, more experienced vapers who excel in 'cloud chasing' competitions actively avoid nicotine, as it can disrupt their 'performance.'
The research also indicates that while most young e-cigarette users are currently smokers and there are signs of increasing interest in e-cigarettes among young people, this does not mean that smoking is becoming more acceptable to them, as they understand the difference between vaping and smoking tobacco and do not conflate vaping with being a smoker.
