Abstract

Vaping amongst Young People: The Need for Repackaging of E-Cigarettes

Author(s): Emmanuel Ihuoma Nwatu*

The detrimental effects of tobacco smoking continue to be on the rise in addition to being the leading cause of terminal illnesses and premature deaths. After the legislation in the United Kingdom (UK) prohibiting smoking in confined public places, there has been a decline in smoking in recent decades due to increased evidence of the harms of smoking to smokers and non-smokers alike. These adjustments have led to an increased stigmatization of smokers and ‘‘denormalisation’’ of smoking according to some public health practitioners in the UK. Despite these milestones, there has been a divergence of tobacco smoking with the emergence of electronic cigarettes in the UK. Consequently, tobacco use, and cigarette smoking are reducing, whilst an increasing market of various and complicated delivery systems under the umbrella of e-cigarettes are becoming prevalent with some young people. E-cigarettes can simply be defined as Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) which imitates tobacco smoking without the actual burning of tobacco. These devices have been deceptively advertised/marketed as ‘‘less harmful” alternatives to traditional smoking of tobacco products. The e-liquid in e-cigarettes contains nicotine, humectant and other additives consisting of flavourings, colourants, or adulterants such as bacterial and fungal products. The introduction of e-cigarettes as a form of harm reduction has become popular in the UK. This is because e-cigarettes are considered to be less harmful than tobacco and as a result, less restrictive measures are put in place in the regulation of e-cigarettes as against tobacco. Evidence indicates that the vapor from e-cigarette contains some harmful substances although it is less when compared to tobacco cigarettes. There are, however, some salient risks to bear in mind, namely, that e-cigarettes could promote major nicotine addiction among children and young adults and eventual renormalization of smoking behaviours. Recently, the Prime Minister, Rushi Sunak announced that plans are being put in place to launch a notable new law to prevent children who turn 14 this year and younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England.