Electronic cigarettes are sold as an aid to adults who want to quit smoking, however, their effectiveness for this purpose has not been to this day scientifically proven.
It has been found that the use of electronic cigarettes it has increased alarmingly among young people and adolescents in recent years.
What are electronic cigarettes?
They are electronic devices shaped like a cigar or pencil that vaporize a mixture of chemicals and nicotine. The smoker inhales the vapor produced.
Refillable liquids contain nicotine, propylene glycol and food additives of different flavors.
What does the law say?
Current law prohibits the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. Nevertheless It is easy buy these products in some "Chinese" stores and nightclubs.
It is not allowed to “vape” in public buildings but you can smoke with these cigarettes in restaurants, bars and shops.
Due to the existing loophole, the manufacturers of vaping liquids they do not include any warning on their labels on the harmful consumption of nicotine or its addictive capacity.
¿Why is its use so popular with young people and adolescents?
Teenagers are naturally curious. Curiosity to try new things is a challenge for them.
In addition, electronic cigarettes are now considered the most "cool" and see as many of his friends use them.
There is a great amount of flavor essences (more than 200), some of them very attractive y Amazing; eucalyptus, donut, gin and tonic, licorice, coffee, vanilla, etc.
There is a false perception of the low risk of this product. Most of these young people think that these cigarettes are less harmful than other types of tobacco.
So that Young people and adolescents who a priori would not have smoked conventional cigarettes, are now attracted by the “fashion” of electronic cigarettes.
Why are they not as safe as they seem?
E-cigarettes are advertised as safe products but it is a serious mistake to think that its use is totally harmless.
Some parents let their children “vape” because they think it is less harmful that tobacco traditional. But do not be fooled, e-cigarettes do have significant health risks.
Electronic cigarettes deliver nicotine directly to the lungs.
Studies show that many times the level of nicotine in vaping liquids is higher than certified by the manufacturer. There are some e-liquids labeled nicotine-free that are actually not.
As we all know, nicotine is a highly harmful substance, much more for adolescent brains still developing.
Health authorities say that electronic cigarettes become for many young people a door to smoking and nicotine addiction.
On the other hand, these cigarettes contain chemicals that irritate the eyes and respiratory system after consumption.
Likewise the vaping liquid contains some toxic substances (formaldehyde and acrolein) that WHO relates to Cancer.
The latest research on e-cigarettes claims that vape smokers have increased incidence of circulatory and blood pressure problems than non-smokers.
Some of the possible long-term effects they are still unknown.
Summarizing then, the main damages of the use of electronic cigarettes in adolescents are the inhalation of toxins, an increased likelihood of future smoking, and a nicotine addiction.
Therefore, as parents it is very important make our teenage children aware of the dangers of this new fashion. Let them know all the information on the subject and have an exchange of opinions.