The E-Cigarette Epidemic in Children and Adolescents

In recent years, the trend of using e-cigarettes has emerged, posing a serious threat to the health of children and adolescents. Moreover, there is a common belief that these devices are less harmful compared to traditional cigarettes, which is absolutely wrong.

The tobacco industry caused the death of 100 million people in the 20th century. In the 21st century, this number is projected to rise to one billion. Unfortunately, this figure is much higher than the total death toll from all disasters and wars around the world.

What is an E-Cigarette? 

An e-cigarette is a device in which nicotine, synthesized in a laboratory and mixed with various flavors, is placed. These devices heat and vaporize a liquid nicotine solution, which also contains propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavors, and many other additives. E-cigarettes, which began to be marketed in 2007, have now become the most widely used tobacco product among adolescents.

The E-Cigarette Epidemic Among Children and Adolescents

According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarette use among middle and high school students increased by 900% between 2011 and 2015. By 2020, it was found that one in five high school students, over 2.5 million young people, were using e-cigarettes.

Why Do Young People Use E-Cigarettes?

A study conducted in 2015 on 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students revealed the following reasons for e-cigarette use:

– 53% started to try it out

– 37.2% continued using it because they liked the taste

– 23.5% used it to relieve boredom

– 22.4% used it to have a good time

– 21.6% used it to relax

It should be noted that adolescents who start using e-cigarettes are 3.6 times more likely to start smoking traditional cigarettes in the future.

How Do Children and Adolescents Learn About E-Cigarettes?

Research shows that adolescents aged 15-17 primarily learn about e-cigarettes from their peer groups, school, and social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Additionally, students have been found to bring e-cigarettes to school and share new flavors with one another. Unfortunately, some social media influencers are also making sponsorship deals with the e-cigarette industry, continuing to attract new adolescent customers.

What Does E-Cigarette Use Do to the Lungs?

In 2019, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identified a condition known as EVALI (E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury), which causes respiratory failure in users of vaporized products. This condition includes symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, weight loss, hypoxemia, tachypnea, and fever, and can lead to lung damage and even death. Between 2019-2020, 60 people, the youngest being only 13 years old, died from this condition.

The Health Risks of E-Cigarette Flavors 

E-cigarettes contain around 80 chemicals and approximately 20,000 different flavors. What happens when these chemicals are heated and transformed inside the device is not fully understood. Certain chemicals used in e-cigarettes, such as synthetic cooling agents (WS-3 and WS-23) that replaced menthol after it was banned, can lead to hepatic cancer and pulmonary metaplasia. Cinnamon flavors have been shown to impair ciliary motility in bronchial cells and create oxidative stress in osteoblasts in bones.

Propylene glycol, used in e-cigarettes, transforms into glycolic acid after heating and vaporization. This substance is classified as a Group 2B carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

How Do Children in Turkey Access E-Cigarettes?

In Turkey, the sale of unlicensed e-cigarettes and other new generation products is prohibited. However, it is still possible for children and adolescents to access all types of e-cigarettes through e-commerce sites and internet sales channels.

International Pediatric Associations Warn About the E-Cigarette Epidemic

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the European Academy of Pediatrics have conducted studies and published statements regarding the epidemic targeting children.

According to their recommendations:

– E-cigarettes should be considered dangerous until proven otherwise.

– E-cigarettes serve as a gateway to nicotine addiction.

– The addition of flavors to e-cigarettes should be banned.

– E-cigarettes, whether they contain nicotine or not, contain chemicals that are carcinogenic, pro-inflammatory, and immunosuppressive.

– E-cigarette devices are also used for inhaling marijuana and other harmful substances.

– The acute toxic effects of e-cigarettes are worse than those of tobacco. Long-term effects will likely be no better.

– E-liquids have their own toxic effects.

– Children must be protected by laws against e-cigarettes.

– Social media companies should be held responsible for spreading misleading health information to children.

Conclusion

E-cigarette use is becoming more widespread and poses serious health risks for children. E-cigarettes contribute to nicotine addiction, developmental issues, and negative effects on social interactions. Increasing public awareness and taking preventive measures are crucial for protecting the health of our future adults—our children—and keeping them away from harmful habits. This is a shared responsibility for society as a whole.