Is Vaping Becoming the Next Teen Epidemic?

Written by Alice Njoki

As a teenager, I see it everywhere. In school bathrooms, at parties, even in bedrooms late at night, clearly vaping is becoming the norm. It’s almost impossible to find a group of teens where at least one person doesn’t have a sleek, colorful vape tucked in their pocket. And what’s worse? Most of us don’t even realize the damage they’re doing to themselves.

Vaping isn’t just a trend but also a trap. The flavors which include bubblegum, watermelon, cotton candy make it seem like a harmless treat, something fun to try. 

And that’s exactly the problem. Who wouldn’t want to inhale something that tastes like dessert? But underneath the sweet flavors is a reality that too many teens are ignoring.

We’re told vaping is “safer” than smoking cigarettes. But safer doesn’t mean safe. The truth is, vapes are packed with nicotine which is a highly addictive substance that messes with brain development, causes learning difficulties, and can lead to anxiety and depression. And once you’re hooked, quitting isn’t easy. 

What’s even more frustrating is how normal vaping has become. It’s like no one cares. Parents don’t notice, teachers don’t address it, and society seems to brush it off. Because vapes don’t smell like cigarettes, they’re easy to hide. Kids are hitting them between classes, at home, and even in schools, and no one bats an eye. 

Then there’s the issue of access. Sure, there are laws against selling vapes to minors, but let’s be real, no one’s really enforcing them. Teens buy them online, get them from older siblings, or walk into stores that don’t even bother checking IDs. And now, governments are talking about banning flavored vapes. But why did it take this long? Why were these products so easy for us to get in the first place?

We don’t just need stricter regulations, we need better education. Schools talk about drugs and alcohol, but vaping barely gets a mention. And when it does, it’s treated like some minor issue, not the addiction crisis that it is. We need real conversations, campaigns that actually connect with teens instead of boring lectures that go in one ear and out the other.

This isn’t just a phase but a full-blown epidemic. And if we don’t do something now, we’re going to have an entire generation struggling with addiction before they even hit adulthood. The flavors might be sweet, but the consequences are bitter. 

So, are we going to keep ignoring this, or is it time to finally do something about it?