And while some health entities complain about these perceptions, scientific data has indicated that this is in fact the case, as vaping products are at least 95% safer than regular cigarettes. Some studies have also indicated that in the absence of e-cigarettes, most vaping teens would be smoking instead.
Meanwhile, other researchers fear that COVID has worsened the problem. “Adolescents who experienced pandemic-related severe stress, depression, or anxiety, or whose families experienced material hardship during the pandemic were most likely to use substances.” While on the otherhand, a study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health suggests that young adults who vape only are five times more likely to get Covid-19 than their peers who smoke traditional cigarettes or do not use either product.
The importance of balancing the potential benefits and risks of vaping
On the other hand, an article published in the American Journal of Public Health highlights that the potential of smoking cessation via e-cigarettes, is being largely overshadowed by media coverage on the potential risks that vaping represents for teens.
Kenneth Warner, dean emeritus and the Avedis Donabedian Distinguished University Professor Emeritus at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, and 14 other past presidents of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco co-authored an article that highlights how the potential benefits of vaping are being overshadowed by all the panic surrounding the potential risks of teen vaping.
“Because evidence indicates that e-cigarette use can increase the odds of quitting smoking, many scientists, including this essay’s authors, encourage the health community, media, and policymakers to more carefully weigh vaping’s potential to reduce adult smoking-attributable mortality,” reads the article.
The authors reviewed the health risks of e-cigarettes, their potential for smoking cessation and addressed the concerns about youth vaping. Taking all this into consideration they then highlighted the need to balance valid concerns about teen vaping and potential benefits for adult smoking cessation.
Read Further: Oregon Capital Chronicle
Focus on Teen Vaping Prevention is Negatively Affecting Adult Smoking Cessation Efforts
