Vape. The newest generations’ addictions keep on coming up due to these little smelly things, sadly. 

Nowadays, in many schools, including ours, vaping has grown so popular that it is possible a student could see a vape pen or cartridge on a semi-regular basis. Of course, this is anecdotal data. 

All over social media, there are celebrities vaping, people on TikTok vaping, and so many Snapchat stories selling weed or vapes, all of which make it easy for younger kids to believe vaping is “cool”. How they get ahold of them is questionable, but research suggests they are able to obtain them at “local gas stations or areas in their community that sell the products.”

Vapes are both cheap (between $10 to $20) and easy to obtain, with a taste and smell which may appeal to younger people. Most kids get into addictions on accident due to grown-ups peer pressuring them into taking a hit. 

However, ask a teen “what’s inside of a vape?” and many would not even know. They put chemicals into their mouth without knowing what they are actually doing. That behavior is almost toddler-like.

“Research shows that you’re most likely to start smoking cigarettes if you vape,” the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports on their sub-site “The Real Cost“.

There are many consequences to vaping worse than addiction. It is what is inside the vape that really matters. Yes, nicotine is inside of a vape, but there are way more chemicals than just that that harm one’s body. Some of the problems due to vaping too much are:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Dry throat
3. Coughing
4. Mouth and throat irritation
5. The harm to the lungs

As anyone can tell, these side effects from vaping are similar to those experienced by cigarette smokers.  Although pro-vape proponents argue vaping is not as bad as regular cigarettes, the idea behind the product is the same.

Those who continuously vape are more likely to start using other, more dangerous tobacco products and end up ruining their lives in the future. 

And of course, many of these little smoking devices are said to lead to depression and anxiety.

“Frequent vaping is tied to even higher odds – 2.4X – of having a diagnosis of depression compared to never users,” the experts at The Truth Initiative said.

“Besides nicotine, e-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients, including ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease volatile organic compounds heavy metals, such as nickel, tin, and lead,” the Surgeon General reports.

I personally do not like vapes, and it is funny because although I do not care if someone I know is into vaping, I do mind when people bug me to take a hit. Annoying. I know the problems vaping can cause, and so I do speak up against them to some degree: there is no point in trying to get a vaper to change their mind: it is a waste of time for everyone. If they say they do not care, then I do not care either. 

When it comes to vapes for adults, that is their own business: they are legally entitled to make their own decisions and can do whatever they want. 

But for kids and teens, vaping is a no-no. Schools, of course, try to prevent vaping, but their way is not working, as there are still people at West Chicago Community High School who bring them in and even sell them to others. 

The school should put up vape detectors in the bathroom. These devices stay on 24/7 and are not only able to detect vape products, but the more advanced models can also pick up other aerosols and even keywords, such as “gun” or “help”. These devices are a quick, efficient and good way to get those vapes out of students’ hands. Who wants flavored air? What is the point of that?

Otherwise, I recommend a stronger safety policy: a guard can check students when they walk into the bathroom since most smoking happens in there; it is a good way to help people with addictions. Sure, it will be annoying having to be checked all the time, but doing so will be helpful for us now and in the future. Otherwise, WEGO, keep doing what you are doing. The vapers are the ones choosing to ruin their future, and slowly start hurting themselves.