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A vape is not a healthy version of a cigarette!

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Vaping, another term for using a flavored e-cigarette, is becoming increasingly popular among both smoking and non-smoking children and young people 1,2, 3. NOS stories conducted research into the use of vapes this year. Of the 6,874 children and young people surveyed, 46% said they had vaped at some point, 8% of whom were under the age of 12 12. A ban on flavored vapes was due to come into force on July 1, 2022, but this has been postponed until October 1, 2023 11, 12. The bright colors and various sweet flavors make vapes look more innocent than cigarettes 7, 10. But are they really as innocent as they seem? The vape consists of three parts: the battery, the heating element, and the liquid. The liquid contains the flavoring, which makes the vape attractive to children and young people. However, this liquid also contains chemicals such as propylene glycol, glycerol, and metals. In addition, most vapes also contain nicotine, which can cause children and young people to develop a nicotine addiction at an early age. glycerol, and metals 3, 4, 9, 12. In addition, most vapes also contain nicotine, which can cause children and young people to develop a nicotine addiction at a young age 5. A vape is just as addictive as a cigarette 1, 3, 5. Nicotine can also cause high blood pressure, increase the risk of cancer, and harm brain development 1, 3, 4, 7, 8. Children and young people start vaping earlier than they start smoking cigarettes 1, 12, 13. This is primarily because they are curious about the sweet flavors 12. These flavors provide rewarding experiences 6. In addition, they do not realize that vaping can be harmful to their health 3, 4. This is because at that age, the reward system in the brain is more developed than the part of the brain that makes sensible choices 7. Moreover, vapes are easy and cheap to obtain via the internet 4, 5, 12, can be easily carried in your pocket or bag, and are easy to use 4,5. Using a vape can be a stepping stone to smoking cigarettes 2, 4, 5. This can then lead to children and young people smoking both vapes and cigarettes, also known as dual users 4. This is even more harmful to health 4. The vape was initially marketed to help people quit smoking 8, but now seems to be having the opposite effect. From October 1, 2023, only tobacco-flavored vapes will be allowed to be sold 11, 12, 14. Other flavors, such as strawberry, mango, or mojito, will then be banned. The new rules will take effect on January 1, but sales will not be prohibited until October 1. These measures are intended to make vaping less popular among (non-smoking) young people. At first glance, vaping seems harmless and non-toxic, but appearances can be deceiving.   This blog was written by Mayke Verschueren for the course Recent Developments in Risk Behavior, Master’s in Public Health, 2022.   References
  1. Newcombe, K.V., Dobbs, P.D., Oehlers, J. S., Dunlap, C. M., & Cheney, M.K. (2021). College students’ reasons for using JUULs. American Journal of Health Promotion, 35(6), 835-840. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117121992292
  2. Treur, J.L., Rozema, A.D., Mathijssen, J.J.P., Van Oers, H., & Vink, J. M. (2018). E-cigarette and waterpipe use in two adolescent cohorts: cross-sectional and longitudinal associations with conventional cigarette smoking. European Journal of Epidemiol, 33, 323–334. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-017-0345-9
  3. Al-Balas, H., Al-Balas, M., Al-Balas, H.I., Khamees, A., Talafha, M., & Nuseir, A. (2021). Electronic smoking behavior among adult males in Jordan. Journal of Community Health 46, 803–807. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10900-020-00953-2
  4. Croes, E., Bommelé, J., Willemsen, M., & Troelstra, S. (2020). Factsheet elektronische sigaretten (e-sigaretten). Trimbos Instituut. Geraadpleegd op 30 september 2022, van https://www.trimbos.nl/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2021/09/af1765-factsheet-elektronische-sigaretten.pdf
  5. Russell, C., Katsampouris, E., & Mckeganey, N. (2020). Harm and addiction perceptions of the JUUL E-cigarette among adolescents. Nicotine Tobacco Research, 22(5), 713-721. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntz183
  6. Peasley-Miklus, C., Klemperer, E. M., Hughes, J. R., Villanti, A. C., Krishnan-Sarin, S., DeSarno, M. J., Mosca, L. A., Su, A., Cassidy, R. N., & Feinstein, M. J. P. (2022). The interactive effects of JUUL flavor and nicotine concentration on addiction potential. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology. http://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000591
  7. Hooglugt, Y. (2022, 21 september). ‘Ik betrapte mijn dochter (13) met een vape’. De Telegraaf. Geraadpleegd op 26 september 2022 van https://www.telegraaf.nl/vrouw/1172259880/ik-betrapte-mijn-dochter-13-met-een-vape   
  8. Croes, E. (2022, 26 juli). Vapen: de snoepwinkel van de tabaksindustrie. Trimbos Instituut. Geraadpleegd op 19 september 2022 van https://www.trimbos.nl/actueel/blogs/vapen-de-snoepwinkel-van-de-tabaksindustrie/
  9. Van Spankeren, K. (2022, 28 juli). Whoeps, dit is hoe schadelijk vapen écht is voor je gezondheid. NSMBL. Geraadpleegd op 19 september 2022 van https://www.nsmbl.nl/dit-is-hoe-schadelijk-vapen-is/
  10. Van Roekel, I. (2022, 7 juli). Vapen steeds populairder: dit is waarom het zo verslavend is. Magriet. Geraadpleegd op 26 september 2022 van https://www.margriet.nl/gezondheid/vapen-steeds-populairder-dit-is-waarom-het-zo-verslavend-is~bc63166e/?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F
  11. RTL nieuws (2022, 19 juni). Verbod op smaakjes e-sigaret uitgesteld, longartsen maken zich zorgen. RTL nieuws. Geraadpleegd op 19 september van https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/politiek/artikel/5315779/roken-verbod-smaakjes-e-sigaret-longartsen-ministerie
  12. NOS Stories (2022, 6 juli). ‘Vape ontploft in mijn keel’. De waarheid over wegwerpvapes [Video].YouTube. Geraadpleegd op 19 september 20222 van https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkoUUB4n-aM
  13. Lu, D. (2021, 8 september). International research shows ‘strong evidence’ linking vaping to cigarette smoking. The Guardian. Geraadpleegd op 11 oktober 2022 van https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/sep/09/international-research-shows-strong-evidence-linking-vaping-to-cigarette-smoking
  14. RTL nieuws (2022, 1 december) E-sgiaretten met smaakje per 1 oktober 2023 definitief verboden. RTL nieuws. Geraadpleegd op 19 december van https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/nieuws/nederland/artikel/5350436/e-sigaret-smaakjes-roken-verbod-rivm-tabak-verslaving-jongeren
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