Vaping: An Epidemic
Simah Herman, an 18 year old, fought to breathe as her father raced her to the hospital. Doctors at the Ronald Reagan UCLA medical center were stumped and suspected it was pneumonia. Some chest X-rays showed that Herman’s lungs were inflamed and full of white fluid. Herman was put on a ventilator and then in a medically induced coma. This was the outcome of 3 years of vaping. The tobacco industry strategically promotes its products to the youth and many teenagers are falling for their trap. However, e-cigarettes are highly unsafe for adolescents as they lead to drug addiction and health issues.
Firstly, vapes are extremely addictive and very difficult to quit. This is because they contain many harmful chemicals including nicotine, a highly addictive substance. “Adolescents don’t think they will get addicted to nicotine, but when they do want to stop, they find it’s very difficult,” says Yale neuroscientist Marina Picciotto, PhD, who has studied the basic science behind nicotine addiction for decades. When a teen inhales nicotine-laced vapor, the substance is swiftly absorbed through the lung’s blood vessel linings. In about 10 seconds, it reaches the brain and hijacks the mesolimbic dopamine system. This system is meant for acetylcholine, a natural neurotransmitter that is needed to activate muscles in our bodies. Instead, nicotine fits into the acetylcholine receptor due to their similar shapes. Once nicotine connects to the receptor, the brain receives a signal to produce dopamine, which aids in the creation of a ‘feel-good’ emotion. However, unlike other drugs, nicotine quickly exits the body after being broken down by the liver. When it’s gone, the brain craves nicotine again. The human brain is incredibly powerful. Once the cycle begins, it is very difficult to stop.
In addition, e-cigarettes create a variety of health issues. Adolescence is a period of tremendous brain development and growth. Animal studies show that nicotine can cause long-lasting issues with brain function and cognitive abilities leading to problems with focus, memory, and learning. It also creates mood disorders and a permanent lowering of impulse control. This can be very dangerous, especially in young adults whose brain have not fully developed yet. E-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is detrimental to the cardiovascular system. It produces an aerosol that consists of ultrafine particles in higher concentration than cigarette smoke. Exposure to these particles could exacerbate asthma and constrict arteries, which could cause a heart attack. It also increases blood pressure and adrenaline levels. According to a 2017 study, e-cigarette users have a 42 percent higher risk of heart attack than non-smokers. Vaping can also damage important blood vessels. A 2019 study found that one vape caused the brachial artery to stiffen. The inner lining of the artery, which helps vessels contract and regulate inflammation, also stopped working correctly. These are just some of the dangers of e-cigarettes. The bottom line is that vaping isn’t part of a healthy lifestyle and leads to life-long consequences.
Ultimately, teens will lead better lives if they understand the harmful effects of vaping. These substances can take over and destroy one’s life. It took a near-death experience for Simah Herman to realize what she was doing to herself. The teen who would smoke every ten to fifteen minutes, decided to become an anti-vaping activist. Herman’s story seeks to discourage e-cigarette use and motivate users to quit. The youth are in a vaping epidemic and drug addictions should not be taken lightly.
References
Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking, Harshita Rai, Secondary division, HOSA Chapter 11029, Wayzata High School
Teen who was put on life-support for vaping says ‘I didn’t think of myself as a smoker’. (2019, September 11). ABC News.
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Nicotine Addiction From Vaping Is a Bigger Problem Than Teens Realize. (2019, March 19). Yale Medicine.
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https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/vaping-nicotine-addiction
Know The Risks: E-cigarettes and young people. (2016, December). Know The Risks.
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https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/knowtherisks.html
Vaping and Your Heart: What we know so far. (2020, October 16). Penn medicine.
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