A recent investigation by the Highland Council (England) revealed that out of 52 attempts to purchase tobacco products by minors, 13 were successful, demonstrating a worrying negligence on the part of some retailers. Particularly alarming is the fact that e-cigarettes were sold to minors with disconcerting ease. The owners of the shops involved were fined £200 each, a penalty that may seem light given the seriousness of the offence.
In the 1960s, smoking was seen as a fashionable activity, heavily promoted by advertising and omnipresent in the media. Today, a similar trend seems to be emerging with vaping. Men and women in their twenties and thirties, often elegantly dressed, are frequently seen vaping in city centres, surrounded by clouds of vapour. The practice is growing in popularity, with some even considering it a hobby.
Initially, health authorities considered vaping to be a less harmful alternative to smoking, saying it was “95% safer than smoking.” However, that perception is changing. Current warnings emphasize that vaping can harm the heart, blood vessels, circulation, and lungs.
It is concerning that many young people are adopting this habit. Although vaping is often perceived today in a similar way to smoking in the 1960s, this fad may be fleeting for some, especially in light of new data on its potential risks.
However, aren't the risks less than if these young adults were to switch to traditional cigarettes?
