The Surge of Vaping

As awareness of nicotine’s harmful effects has grown, the number of Canadian teenagers smoking tobacco has decreased. However, a troubling trend has emerged: an increase in youth vaping.

This term encompasses the use of e-cigarettes, commonly referred to as “vapes.” These battery-operated devices operate by heating nicotine, flavorings, and other substances to produce a vapor that is inhaled, eliminating the presence of smoke, combustion, or odor.

Known as vape pens, mods, tanks, or e-hookahs, these devices were initially created to aid individuals in quitting smoking. While not every product contains nicotine, they are often more appealing to smokers than alternative cessation methods like patches or gum because they replicate the tactile sensation of smoking.

The alarming reality is that many teenagers mistakenly consider vaping to be safer than traditional cigarettes, or they may even believe it to be completely innocuous. Some teens are unaware that they might be consuming nicotine at all.

Increasing Youth Vaping

David Hammond, a professor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Public Health and Health Systems, highlights that vaping rates have been on the rise for several years among youth. Though this trend has raised concern, previous observations mainly noted occasional experimentation among youth. This scenario is evolving.

“Recent data indicates that from 2017 to 2018, more adolescents are not just trying vaping but are doing so more frequently,” states Hammond. “There has been an uptick even among non-smokers.”

His research indicates that by 2018, approximately 15% of young people reported vaping within the preceding month, while 10% had vaped within the last week. “This nearly doubles the rates reported in 2017,” he adds.

Supporting Evidence

Further corroborating his findings, the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs Survey revealed that 23% of students in grades 7 to 12 had tried e-cigarettes during the 2016-17 school year, an increase from 20% in 2014-15.

What’s Fueling This Trend?

Though e-cigarettes made their debut in Canada back in 2007, recent factors have escalated their popularity among youth.

Hammond attributes this uptick to advancements in vaping technology and design, paired with aggressive marketing strategies.

The Tobacco and Vaping Products Act, which permits the sale of nicotine-containing vaping products, took effect in May 2018, replacing the older Tobacco Act from 1997.

Appealing Flavours

The introduction of innovative products has been accompanied by a surge in advertising, a phenomenon that previously was non-existent. The broad selection of flavors available—such as mango, melon, berries, chocolate, peach, sugar cookie, and banana cream pie—has particularly captured the attention of younger consumers.

Technological Innovations

Scientific advancements have played a role as well. Juul Labs, based in San Francisco, entered the Canadian market in September 2018, becoming the first to offer “nicotine salt,” a formulation that reduces the harshness of nicotine, allowing for a smoother inhalation experience.

Known as nic salt or salt nicotine, this chemical formulation, often combined with benzoic acid, stabilizes nicotine in a way that makes it easier to consume without discomfort.

Juul, which has even become a term of its own—”juuling”—also boasts a more compact design resembling a USB flash drive, which enhances its discreetness compared to older models.

“These represent a new category of products,” says Hammond. “We’re learning that nicotine salts enable these devices to deliver high levels of nicotine in a more palatable manner. While tobacco can exhibit a harsh taste at higher concentrations, nicotine salts mitigate that issue.”

A New Perception

“Young people don’t perceive vaping the same way they do smoking: whereas smoking might be associated with older generations, vaping is seen as contemporary, fun, and odorless, enhanced by its enticing flavors,” he notes.

“Additionally, many parents may not even recognize these vaping devices. Their compactness allows youth to easily conceal them, enabling usage in schools without drawing attention—by simply hiding it in their sleeves, for instance.”

Health Risks for Youth

Hammond recognizes that e-cigarettes can effectively assist individuals in quitting traditional smoking. However, these devices were never intended for youth, who are particularly vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which poses serious health risks.

Consequences on Brain Development

Younger users are particularly at risk of vaping’s adverse effects, as it can hinder brain development, impair memory, and reduce concentration. This trend can also foster addiction and physical dependence.

Misleading Nicotine Levels

A study conducted in Ontario examined vape products in retail venues and discovered that many items labeled as containing nicotine often had concentrations significantly higher than indicated.

Exposure to Harmful Compounds

Even vaping products that do not include nicotine can expose users to various other potentially harmful substances. Vaping liquids may contain ingredients like glycerol and propylene glycol, and the heating process could produce additional harmful compounds, such as formaldehyde.

The long-term health implications of these substances remain uncertain, as are the prolonged effects of vaping on both physical and mental health.

A Potential Gateway to Other Substances

Vaping may serve as a gateway to more dangerous drugs. Research indicates a correlation between youth e-cigarette use and the likelihood of smoking traditional cigarettes later. Additionally, some young users have been reported to use e-cigarettes for cannabis consumption. A study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics revealed that approximately one-third of middle and high school students in the US reported using e-cigarettes with non-nicotine substances in 2015.

Amid widespread concerns about vaping’s impact on young people, Health Canada initiated consultations in April 2019 aimed at reducing youth access and appeal. Proposed measures include restrictions on online sales, flavor bans, and limiting nicotine concentrations in vaping products.

“I believe that products containing nicotine salt, like Juul’s, exemplify both the promising potential and significant risks associated with vaping,” states Hammond. “When asked about the implications for regulatory bodies, I urge them to ensure these products cater to smokers, not kids—this has not been the case thus far.”