Across the globe, the dangers of vaping among teenagers are increasingly recognized. The CDC in the United States reported an outbreak of lung injury associated with e-cigarette use in 2019, which primarily affected young adults. Yet, a recent survey in India paints a disturbing picture of youth ignorance regarding these hazards.
As part of their “Ideas for an Addiction-Free India” initiative, the Think Change Forum (TCF) surveyed students aged 14 to 17 across six metro cities in India. A whopping 89% of the respondents were unaware of the health risks associated with vaping, suggesting a gap in awareness and education among adolescents.
Further solidifying this gap, 52% of the surveyed students viewed vaping as a cool and fashionable activity, while 37% considered it moderately harmful but didn’t understand the exact nature of the harm. The TCF survey’s findings parallel a 2020 report from the American Heart Association that also indicated a widespread misperception among young people that e-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes.
The findings underscore the necessity for better education on vaping dangers, a sentiment echoed by Sushant Kalra, a well-respected Parenting Coach & TEDx Speaker. He emphasized the urgent need for parents and educators to address this issue before more adolescents fall into the trap of vaping.
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