Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Gracey Mungulu initially found vaping as distasteful as smoking when it first appeared at her school. She openly questioned her peers about why they engaged in the habit, recalling, “I literally used to tell people like, ‘Er, why are you doing that?'” However, as vaping became increasingly widespread among her classmates, Gracey began experimenting with it at age 16, despite her first experience being marked by coughing rather than a smooth inhale. Over time, exposure desensitized her, and she found herself vaping frequently. Now 21, Gracey uses a refillable vape daily, turning to it whenever her hands are free, whether at her hairdressing job or while working in a school setting.
Gracey represents a growing demographic in the UK: more than one million individuals who vape despite never having smoked cigarettes, according to recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Vaping was originally marketed as a tool to help smokers quit cigarettes, and nicotine delivery through vapes is considered less harmful than traditional smoking. Still, the long-term health impacts are not definitively understood, as noted by the NHS. Gracey attributes some of her vaping to social anxiety, explaining that the physical actions of holding a device and having something in her mouth provide comfort. This habit, she says, has become almost automatic, a “mindless action” she frequently finds herself doing without much thought.
The idea of vaping as a psychological crutch is echoed by healthcare professionals like Dr. Helen Wall, a GP who hears from patients about their emotional reliance on the habit. Another former vaper, Malin Andersson, who previously experienced vaping alongside her habit of doomscrolling, describes vaping as providing a “dopamine hit,” likening it to “an adult’s version of a dummy.” Malin, 33, started vaping during a difficult breakup and eventually quit this year due to frustration with her dependence on fruity flavors such as banana ice. In a similar vein, Alex from Manchester developed a vaping routine that infiltrated daily life, frequently vaping while working in bed. She ultimately quit vaping only to begin smoking cigarettes, a shift experts caution against.
Research experts including Professor Sarah Jackson from University College London emphasize the complex picture presented by recent ONS data, where the rise in vaping among young adults coincides with declining cigarette smoking. “In which case, vaping has diverted them away from a more harmful behaviour, which is good news,” Jackson says, while cautioning that some non-smokers taking up vaping may be at increased risk. The ONS reports around 5.4 million people aged 16 and over vape in Britain, compared to 4.9 million smokers, reflecting a shift in consumption patterns. The UK government is considering new regulations to reduce youth vaping by reviewing marketing practices, especially the use of bright colors and sweet flavors that appeal to younger users. Public health groups believe such marketing plays a role in attracting non-smokers who otherwise might not have vaped.
There is concern that heavy marketing has fostered a false perception that vaping is safe and non-addictive, according to Dr. Helen Wall. Gracey agrees, advocating for plain packaging for vapes similar to cigarettes. “With vapes, they have all these flavours, all these pretty colours – it’s just making us more attracted to it,” she says. Despite its social acceptability among younger generations, Gracey recognizes the financial and personal toll of her vaping habit and has contemplated quitting to save money. However, quitting vaping is challenging. Alex’s experience highlights the risk of substituting vaping with cigarette smoking, which experts strongly discourage because smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the UK. The NHS recommends strategies like gradually reducing nicotine concentration and increasing the interval between sessions or using nicotine replacement therapies to quit vaping. Nonetheless, support services for vaping cessation remain limited, with fewer than half of healthcare providers in England offering specialized assistance. Dr. Wall emphasizes that vaping was intended only as a cigarette substitute, meaning current public health messaging may have overlooked the complexities faced by new vapers like Gracey
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.