Smoking cigarettes and the legalization of pot consumption in Canada on Oct. 17 are bad enough – just ask Alberta Health Services. We all know the drill, and the risks, some of which are deadly. It’s just good, old-fashioned common sense: don’t smoke.
But what about e-cigarettes and the act of vaping? More bad news – and dare we say it, it’s not surprising – vaping is an immense problem facing society.
The rise of vaping among youth was recently called an “epidemic of addiction” by the commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Scott Gottlieb said during a recent address at FDA headquarters that “the disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we’re seeing in youth and the resulting path to addiction must end.”
He added this addiction is driven mostly by vaping products that feature flavourings such as fruit, mint and chocolate. Also, the nicotine in e-cigarettes, health officials have warned, is detrimental to developing brains.
Furthermore, a U.S. government-commissioned report in January showed “substantial evidence” that youngsters who are vaping are more likely to try cigarettes. It’s a nasty circle that must stop.
But will it? It’s a substantial concern that parents, educators and youth must tackle together.
There is little research on the long-term effects of vaping, which doesn’t help the situation. AHS reports that “ongoing research is required to understand the long-term health impacts of use and exposure to vaping products.”
What if vaping is worse than expected? We can’t live life based on “What if,” but the signs are all pointing in the same direction: There are addiction issues, more and more teenagers are vaping and there is the problem of nicotine.
Cannabis can also be consumed through an e-cigarette. So don’t think for one moment that cannabis producers won’t pounce on the e-cigarette industry when consuming pot becomes legal. It's already a popular method of consumption in the black market. A whole new line of cannabis products for e-cigarettes will crop up like dandelions in the spring. Count on it.
Here, in Canada, there is some good news though. A recently released report by the Canadian Cancer Society says 65 of Canada’s 260 post-secondary institutions don’t allow smoking anywhere on their campuses.
Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst at the CCS, recently told a national newspaper this: “Most campuses adopting policies are applying them to smoking of anything, including cannabis, and applying it to e-cigarettes as well.”
Unfortunately, the University of Alberta will permit the smoking and vaping of cannabis at a small number of specific locations on its campus. MacEwan University is currently in the late stages of finalizing its cannabis policy and NAIT is already a smoke-free campus.
But the problem isn’t starting at the post-secondary level – the seeds are already sprouting at the preteen/teen level.
Paula Power, manager of communication services for St. Albert Public Schools, told the Gazette there is unease about vaping.
“I asked a few principals about vaping and yes, while vaping isn’t a huge issue in our district, it’s certainly something we’re seeing incidences of in our junior and senior highs. The fact that it’s starting in junior high for some students is a concern for us.”
It “isn't a huge issue” – yet. We need to nip it in the bud now. So what can we do? We must talk and listen to youngsters, educate them and lead by example. It’s a simple step but the right place to begin.
