Inside The Rise (& Reality) Of Vaping

Photo by Olena Bohovyk / Pexels

For several years now it has become a regular occurrence to walk down the street and get engulfed by a cloud of strawberry-scented smoke. I hate to admit it, but a tiny part of me enjoys it.

When a stranger is walking in front of me and a haze of sweet-smelling smoke blows past me, or when I’m sitting around socialising with friends and one of them exhales a cloud of what can only be described as rainbow skittles in my direction, I’m instantly transported back to my underage disco days, when the smell of a smoke machine would leave me feeling giddy with excitement, for reasons I’m not even sure of.

While smoke machines are, for the most part, pretty safe, the same unfortunately can’t be said for the device behind these sugary clouds. The scent might be enticing, but as new information rapidly emerges about electronic cigarettes, the less alluring they subsequently become.

Vaping became hugely popular in Ireland, and indeed across the world, around 2019, although the first e-cigarette was invented in 2003. The device initially served as an alternative to conventional, tobacco smoking. However, it soon went on to become its own entity, with people, many of them underage, taking up vaping despite never smoking before.

The figures speak for themselves, a HBSC study shows that e-cigarette smoking is now around twice as common as tobacco smoking. Another study from ESPAD shows that around four in ten students had tried e-cigarettes while one in five are current users. Professor Donal F. O’Shea from RCSI says that there are two reasons for vaping’s boost in popularity in Ireland – marketing and a lack of legislation.

“Vaping products are marketed in a very colourful and flavourful way. There is a huge variety of them which is very appealing to younger people. In terms of marketing, it can be seen clearly that these products are being retailed in a similar manner to sweets. The lack of legislation has given a false impression that these products have been tested and are safe.” Of course, this naturally leads me to this question, for those using vaping as a crutch to give up traditional smoking, is this really a ‘healthier’ alternative?

“Absolutely not,” says Prof Donal. “For vaping a whole host of medical risks exist that are not yet fully defined. It took a very long time to prove that tobacco smoking causes lung cancer and it is not too much of a leap to think you could get serious diseases from vaping too, but as vaping is new it will take many more years before vaping diseases emerge in the population. In fact, evidence has shown us that tobacco smokers who take up vaping become dual users.” he continues.

Photo by Edgar Martínez / Pexels

It’s clear to see that vaping has one of the best marketing teams in the world as even myself, a non-smoker, has been tempted by the smell and look of vapes to give them a try and see what the hype is about. The sweet-smelling smoke might appear harmless at first sniff, but as the device is still in its infancy, and constantly shapeshifting too, it seems there’s no way of really knowing what you’re inhaling.

“When you’re vaping, your lungs are being repeatedly exposed to a cocktail of different chemicals for the first time in history, with little to no safety testing done. Added to this is the known risk that these chemicals can break down due to vape heating to additional unknown chemicals which will have further negative health impacts.”

If you’re on the fence about taking up vaping, Prof Donal has a simple message to steer clear: “One way to think about it is that if the vaping package has a skull and crossbones on it, it’s telling you that the chemicals in these products should not be entering your lungs.”

Of course, we’ve all seen the videos circulating on social media, warning teenagers and parents alike against vaping, showing young people sick in hospital as a result of their habit. Some people dismiss it as fear-mongering, while others take it more seriously, but surely now, 20 years after its inception, there must be some medical evidence of what it could do to our bodies.

Prof Donal says: “Vaping can induce bronchiolitis of clearance which means the smaller airways in the lungs are closed off. As your lungs are a fragile organ which does not heal well this can become irreversible if you continue to vape for a prolonged time. There are numerous dangers for adolescents who are exposed to vape chemicals.

“It is imperative that developing lungs, a developing brain, and a developing cardiovascular system are not exposed to high levels of nicotine and other chemicals as happens with vaping. There is growing evidence emerging of cardiovascular and neurological developmental risks.”

To tackle the issue, particularly among young people in Ireland, Prof Donal would like to see more legislation from our government, which he fears may now be ‘too little too late’, however, something is better than nothing, surely? As of November 2023, The Dáil has voted in favour of banning the sale of vape products to people under the age of 18. The changes would also see a ban on advertising the products near a school and on public transport, while retailers selling the product will be subject to a licensing system.

As emerging legislation targets young people in the prevention of taking up vaping, what can be done to help the people, mainly adults, who can’t kick the habit? Prof Donal says that your GP should be your first port of call, “For people suffering from the scourge of tobacco addiction then first seek professional medical advice from your GP or pharmacist as to what the best nicotine replacement therapy is for you.

Vaping may be a way to transition away from tobacco but it is not a magic cure for addicted tobacco smokers as the marketing would lead people to believe.”

This article originally appeared in the Jan/Feb 2024 issue of STELLAR. 

• health
• vaping