I might be shooting myself in the foot here, but following some controversy over a recent e-cigarette column in this paper, I’m butting in on the issue.
Doug Rogers, the Vernon School District’s substance abuse counsellor, wrote a column about the dangers of e-cigs when it comes to youth, which prompted an onslaught of outrage from the public. People near and far have been responding online about how e-cigs are in fact very safe, and some have gone as far to say that Mr. Rogers should be fired for his comments.
Therefore I tackle this subject with a considerable degree of apprehension.
But when I look beyond the anger and upset of all those offended by Rogers’ column, what I see is a bunch of sheepish people getting really defensive. Just an observation. Obviously these people are very passionate about the product, and while it may in fact be healthier than smoking, deep down they may also know that it’s still not a healthy habit. Breathing anything into your lungs is not good for you.
On the other hand, I can attest to some of the claims made about e-cigs, especially in aiding someone to quit smoking.
As a former smoker (more than two years ago now – yeah for me), I used those little e-cigarettes, or vapes as the kids call them, to help me quit. And they actually helped. It was a way of smoking without actually filling my lungs with all the same tar and nasty chemicals that are in cigarettes. So as an adult trying to quit the nic, there is a place in the market for these devices. But what some people don’t understand is there is a difference between the type of e-cigs/vapes out there. Some of them come with cartridges that are filled with liquid which include nicotine, while others do not have nicotine.
I didn’t use the ones with nicotine in them as the whole point was to quit this addictive substance. And I didn’t use them very often, just the odd time when my cravings would get the better of me – instead of puffing on a nasty old cigarette, I’d vape.
But as a parent, the whole e-cig/vape thing scares the heck out of me! They are designed to attract, with all those delicious flavours, from pomegranate to mocha. And who are our most impressionable? Children and teens. Therefore they are catching on to this new trend, and they are being told about all the benefits. They don’t see anything wrong with what they are doing because it’s safer than cigarettes.
Unfortunately, this new trend contains a highly addictive substance (in some cases). So while it may seem harmless at first, kids may soon be addicted to these e-cigs due to the nicotine (plus there’s the social aspect of vaping).
My younger cousin (19) quit smoking cigarettes about a year ago too. But she did it using e-cigarettes – enjoying trying all the cool flavours.
Unfortunately she hasn’t been able to put that e-cig down. Although she doesn’t use it as much, which is good, and she has reduced the amount of nicotine in it from when she first started.
The rationale is: “it’s better than smoking.”
It may be better, but it still isn’t good for you. No different than someone who drinks pop everyday switching to diet pop.
This trend in cool flavours extends beyond these devices. Liquor is another huge industry which is unfortunately attracting youth with everything from vanilla, cherry and acai berry vodka to the evolving flavoured beers and latest cooler craze.
Just like e-cigarettes, they will tell you they aren’t geared towards youth, but unfortunately these young impressionable minds are falling victim.
