If you keep up with the news or popular culture, you have probably heard of vaping. This refers to the usage of e-cigarettes, a tobacco-free substitute for cigarettes. Heating elements in the devices atomize liquid concoctions, creating the aerosol, or vapor, that individuals inhale in lieu of tobacco smoke. However, while they are free of the characteristic harmful leaf, most still contain the highly addictive substance nicotine. They also often hold other chemicals not found in traditional cigarettes. They have been associated with certain health risks, and there may be other undiscovered ones since the effects of smoking them remain largely unknown. In spite of this, they are still popular. Vaping products come in a wide array of options like CBD vape kits. The use of electronic cigarettes is especially prevalent among youths. In 2018, a survey found that out of a test group of over 44,000 8th-, 10th- and 12th-grade students, 37% of participating seniors admitted to participating in the pursuit. Why exactly is this practice so popular though? There are numerous possible answers to this question.
1. People Think It’s Safer
Due to their lack of tobacco, e-cigarettes are generally regarded as a safer, healthier alternative to cigarettes and are marketed as such. They were also unregulated until 2016, adding to the sense of security associated with them. The underestimation of their risk is especially strong among the younger portion of the population. A great deal more effort has gone into making people aware of the dangers of smoking. Considerably less has gone into keeping people informed about those associated with vaping until recently. Many teens actually believe e-juice is nothing but harmless flavored water. A lot of people who are seeking to escape the negative consequences of regular cigarettes switch to electronic ones to do so.
2. Other People Do It
A big reason people start many activities is to mimic those around them. In the same way, many individuals begin vaping in response to exposure to trusted family members like parents doing it. They may also start because of peer pressure; their friends and associates take up the practice, turning it into a kind of social thing.
3. There Is a Large Assortment of Flavors
In the past, many people actually took up smoking electronic cigarettes because of all the e-juice flavors. The availability of mint, chocolate, fruit and candy flavors granted the product a fascinating, almost innocent appeal. Youths are also more likely to continue using them when they are flavored since they don’t taste yucky. Because of this, a federal nationwide ban on kid-friendly flavors like dessert ones was enacted in 2020. It does not impact menthol or tobacco flavors. However, this prohibition only applies to vape cartridges, also known as pods. Disposable vapes, e-liquid not packaged in a cartridge and refillable open-tank vapes are unaffected. Some individual states have put into place their own regulations.
4. People Are Curious
Curiosity is another major factor that influences individuals to begin vaping. They hear all the hype and want to see what the fuss is all about.
5. People Think It’s Cool
In an age where technology rules supreme and plays an increasingly necessary role in virtually every aspect of society, e-cigarettes copy the look of “cool” devices. There are even ones designed to resemble USB sticks. Ones that look like tech are also easier to conceal. Smoking, in general, has historically been touted as something done by the cool crowd, and that association has transferred to what is essentially its replacement, vaping. These things increase the attractiveness of the activity, particularly to adolescents.
6. People Think It Relieves Their Stress and Anxiety
In the past, smoking was often seen as a way to relax and unwind after a hard day. In reality, research has proven that it actually raises tension in those doing it. The presence of nicotine produces a sensation that feels like anxiety reduction even though the actual result is the opposite. In a similar manner, many turn to vaping for stress and anxiety relief. While the majority of vapes have nicotine in them, not all do. Those which do may induce a similar feeling as cigarettes. There are also e-juices without it that are made specifically for helping people relax.
The popularity of e-cigarettes has exploded in the modern U.S. A great deal remains undiscovered about the habit, though more is found out each year. A recent massive public scare led to legal changes regarding them.
