By: Ethan Lin, age 14
In Part 1 of this series, we explored the rise of vaping among teens, debunking myths about its safety and highlighting the addictive nature and health risks associated with e-cigarettes.
In Part 2, we delve deeper into how vaping companies strategically target young people through appealing flavors, unique designs, and social media influence.
Popularity with Vaping in Young Teens
Some may not know this but, companies associated with vapes are purposely targeting young teens and young adults. Some ways these companies attract teens and young adults include:
New Flavor Varieties
Teens enjoy exotic and cool flavors. Research shows that teens enjoy mint and mango flavored vapes which then are continuously produced by vape manufacturers. This is bad for teens because flavor chemicals have only been tested to be used as food but have never been tested to be directly inhaled. These flavors have many unknown negative effects that could put a young teens life at risk.
Unique Designs
When a new exotic toy or cool designed clothing is released and hyped up by the media, teens tend to hop on the trend and invest into the new trend. This concept is the same with vapes. As new unique and exotic designs are created and hyped up by the media, it is very captivating to teens and hook them in to spend more money on vapes.
Social Media Influence
Social Media Influencers have huge influence on their fans. If an influencer is seen using a vape, it will be seen by their followers and entice them to also vape. This is why vaping companies create ads with influencers so that they can profit from their followers buying vapes.
Youth-Oriented Advertising
Advertisements for vapes tell many lies and not many truths. They may lead you on by saying it is better for you compared to regular cigarettes, however they do not say that vapes are still harmful to you. They will cover the truth up with lies about how their product is better for you and can benefit you in situations where you are stressed and need a way to relieve your stress. However, this is something that can harm you in the future and also might get you hooked into traditional cigarettes in the future.
Convenient Access
Many teens have easy access to vapes. They can access them through an older sibling or through regular gas stations that do not care about the wellbeing of the teen but only care about the profits. According to the CDC about 3.6 million teens vape, approximately 1 in 5 high schoolers. WHERE IS THIS STAT FROM This is a hazardous thing as it gives young teens with undeveloped brains to have access to something, they should not which then can cause harm to them in the future and present.
If you are a teen or young adult who wants to quit, text DITCHVAPE to 88709.
Photo by Tnarg