Over the past decade, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping devices have skyrocketed like shooting stars, gaining popularity as a mesmerizing alternative to traditional smoking. Attracting millions of users, especially among young adults who flocked to them like moths to a flame, these products were marketed as a less harmful option, casting a spell on a generation seeking a different path. However, as vaping's popularity soared to the heavens, so did concerns about its health implications, casting shadows of doubt on its seductive promises. In this article, we embark on an odyssey, delving into the effects of e-cigarettes and vapes on both individual health and public well-being, aiming to unlock the enigmatic truth behind this controversial trend.
Initially designed as a siren's song, luring sailors away from the treacherous waters of cigarettes to help smokers quit, recent studies have unmasked the darker side of e-cigarettes. They have become the treacherous rocks on which many unsuspecting souls have crashed, acting as a lower entry point for people—especially the youth—to eventually sail towards the perilous shores of traditional smoking. Statistically, people who vape are three times more likely to be entangled in the tendrils of smoking, as if caught in an inescapable web. The bewitching allure of easier accessibility and a captivating array of flavors entices a growing tide of vapers, drifting further from the shores of safety. Like alchemists brewing their concoctions, adolescents who use e-cigarettes may unwittingly become addicted to nicotine, which could ensnare them in the spellbinding charms of traditional cigarettes.
Venturing into the heart of the labyrinth, we confront the Minotaur of health hazards caused by vaping. These mythical creatures contain and emit toxic substances, akin to venomous serpents ready to strike, responsible for a host of health problems. A study from the University of North Carolina revealed that e-cigarettes contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, these potent poisons wreak havoc on the body's cells. Moreover, these e-liquids are like Pandora's box, releasing acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, and arecoline, unleashing a plague of lung disease, cardiovascular maladies, asthma, and, in severe cases, lung cancer like a devastating storm.
In the realm of addiction, nicotine stands as a formidable dragon, guarding its treasure of vapes and e-cigarettes. Its fiery breath raises blood pressure, spikes adrenaline, and ignites the flames of heart attacks, leaving quivering souls at the mercy of this dragon's wrath. The enchanting trap of addiction ensnares many like a spellbinding curse, especially adolescents, who struggle to break free from its unyielding grasp. The siren song of freedom is but a mirage, and when sailors try to escape, they are dragged back into the depths by the undertow of their friends' persuasion, like shipwrecked sailors unable to resist the alluring call of the mermaids.
As we venture deeper into the labyrinth, we encounter the dark corners of the mind affected by vaping. The labyrinthine pathways of the brain, responsible for learning, concentration, and mood, become entangled like a labyrinth under the influence of vaping. Young adults, whose minds are yet to fully emerge from the shadows of development, are particularly susceptible to these enchanting effects. Vaping's malevolent connection to depression casts a haunting shadow, as if an ominous cloud follows its victims, perpetuating the storm of mental distress. Researchers believe that trace metals in vape liquid serve as wicked spirits, whispering unsettling thoughts and amplifying the turmoil of depression. In a 2019 study, it was revealed that college students who vaped were like mythical creatures, bearing higher levels of ADHD symptoms, lost in the maze of their restless minds.
In the heart-rending tale of a friend, we learn his story of falling victim to the vape craze. Like Icarus flying too close to the sun, he was drawn by peer pressure to taste the tantalizing flavors of vapes, not realizing the heavy price they would entail. Shrouded in guilt and fear, the challenge of concealing his secret from his parents and teachers alike, began. Cherry, on top of that, finding a dealer was a task. Yet a day that was bound to come did arrive, and his head fell in shame in the principal’s office, unable to look his parents in the eye. The realization struck him; he was no longer a model student. His radiant potential was dimmed by the irresistible urges to become one with the smoke. His mental health and relationship with his parents were both fleeting tales. Nonetheless, he was unable to free himself from this vicious cycle. His friends that kept luring him back to it every time he thought about quitting were the vultures in his life. He had ‘sold his peace of mind for a high not worth the pain.’
As teenagers, many of us are eager for adventures. And for Gen Z, the end goal is to ‘be cool’ and fit in like a jigsaw puzzle in their social circles. This harmless-looking deadly weapon is depriving our generation of its potential. It acts as a coping mechanism for anxiety and depression when in fact, it is causing them as well. The sheer irony shows the call for wisdom that is needed to guide adolescents to the healthy way of dealing with mental health problems. Lastly, this pandemic is a battle we all must fight with patience, understanding and an open mind by dealing with the communication gap between generations and allowing the flow of advice, especially professional. Adolescents must be taught to evaluate the influence of their social circles with trust from their parents. Whilst parents must become welcoming to the thought of therapy in our society.
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