Vaping Amongst Youth: A Stress-Driven Epidemic

By: Feeby Ebeid

                                            Stylistic depiction of the harm vaping brings via Feeby Ebeid

Vaping has become a serious epidemic amongst young people as of the recent decade. Millions of middle and high school students are reported to be using some sort of e-cigarettes, and vaping rates among college students have been increasing at an alarming rate.

This issue stems from a couple of factors. First, let’s talk advertising. It’s no mystery that these ads are aimed at impressionable young people; from the fun flavors and bright, colorful visuals to the actual design of the product being small, easily concealable, and key word here, convenient, it is the perfect formula for young people to become curious. Peer pressure is, of course, a classic. However, the most alarming reason young people report picking up a vape is to manage stress. 

Gen Z and younger millennials are reporting higher stress levels than older generations, according to the APA’s 2023 stress in America survey. Some of this stress could be caused by this huge transition period in their lives: career and future planning, academic pressure, social, and financial insecurity. 

However, in this digital age, younger generations are way more stressed due to social media, the constant bombardment of information and worldwide news, climate change, social injustice, and violence, just to mention a few. As a species, we have never been more digitally connected, however, studies show that this leads to more stress, because it is not about the number of relationships, it’s about the quality of them. 

Dozens of young users, who have been interviewed for the sake of this article, have expressed that they vape to destress and cope with anxiety. When nicotine is inhaled, it is delivered to the brain within 20 seconds and causes mood-altering changes that make the person temporarily feel good.

Now while the nicotine may provide some temporary relief, it’s ultimately only exacerbating the problem and making it worse than it originally was. It does not address the underlying causes of the stressors and is known to increase sensitivity to said stress. Additionally, because it’s an addictive substance, more anxiety and stress develop around the need to keep using. It creates this toxic cycle, that leads to physical and mental health issues. 

Although vaping is a convenient and fast way to destress, it does not work. The best way to avoid an addiction to nicotine is to not start using it in the first place. There are better ways to destress and lessen anxiety, such as decreasing social media usage, exercising, not reading the news constantly, interacting with people, speaking to a therapist/counselor/trusted individual, friends, etc. 

Vaping use is alarming because there is still little data about the long-term effects of this practice. This is tobacco all over again and we need to be more cautious.