Vaping is the new health worry for teens

Despite a ban in India, many are acquiring vapes from abroad or from a growing number of local dealers

- Namita Devidayal

Of late, a well-known adolescent psychiatrist finds himself containing his irritation when, in the middle of a Zoom consultation, his 15-year-old patient starts puffing on an e-cigarette with insouciance, as if sipping fruit juice.

Despite being banned in India, the vape is the hottest new accessory that is being normalised by affluent teens. It is a regular prop at youngster get-togethers. Some school bathrooms are filled with kids dipping in to take a quick drag. Neither school authorities nor parents are aware of the extent of usage because the device is smokeless and odourless – a tailor-made fantasy that has fallen into the lap of the bored, stressed or experimental teenager.

The vape, or e-cigarette, is an electronic or battery-operated device which is an alternative to cigarettes. It aerosolises liquids to release nicotine and other substances, which can range from fruity flavours to marijuana. Therein lies the catch. Young teens are initially attracted to the enticing flavours like menthol, strawberry and bubblegum, which are clearly targeting a young audience.

There is also a resounding mythology that vaping is not harmful, even though doctors clearly counter that the chemicals used for flavouring can lead to lung injuries, besides the highly addictive nicotine stunting brain development.